WALES' men's and women's hockey teams will take part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The Commonwealth Games Council for Wales announced today that both teams had qualified for the Games which will take place in April.

The men’s squad secured their place after a phenomenal rise in the recently released FIH World Rankings, which saw them head the climbers list by a staggering eight places, putting them at 24th in the world.

After kicking 2017 off with a string of strong performances and a considerable early rise in the rankings to 26th in the world on the back of World League round 2 in April, the women’s squad held on to their spot after a solid showing at this summer’s European Championships held in Cardiff, where they finished fourth.

Vice-captain of the women’s squad Leah Wilkinson expressed her excitement at what this news means to her and the team.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have qualified for the Games.

"Qualification to such a high profile, multi-sport games is both exciting and well deserved after a successful couple of years.

"We are looking forward to competing on the world stage against the likes of South Africa, Australia and India."

Men’s team captain, Luke Hawker relayed how both teams strive to play in competitions like the Commonwealth Games.

“We aspire to play in competitions of this nature on a regular basis and subsequently this is seen as a significant milestone in our progress as a group.

"I have no doubt that representing Wales on the global stage and the experience of this will assist us in preparing to meet the demands of what is to come in the European Championships in 2019.”

Head of performance Dan Clements said: “To represent your country on the biggest of stages is the ultimate ambition for all aspiring athletes when they set out on their path, and for both our squads to achieve qualification in back-to-back Games is a huge achievement for them as individuals and as a squad, and one that we are extremely proud of.

"We are thankful of the support from the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales and we have every confidence that our athletes will represent Wales at the Games with the utmost pride and will relish the opportunity to play their part in Team Wales’ campaign.”

Head coach of the men’s team Zak Jones shared his relief after a period of uncertainty.

He said: "It’s been a difficult few months, what with the uncertainty of not knowing if we would be going or not.

"Having worked so hard over the past 18 months and having consistently produced strong performances in WL1, WL2 and the Euros it would have been very hard for the athletes to take if we had not qualified.

"The group have learned, grown and developed so much during this period and I feel that it is just reward for all their effort, passion and engagement with the programme and process.

"The CWG provides us with another fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against higher ranked teams in the different, unique and challenging environment that a major multi-sport event presents.

"There is still much hard work to be done and hurdles to be overcome as well as the difficult task of selecting the final group that will represent Wales on the Gold Coast.

"However, everyone is very much looking forward to the challenge and to raising the bar once again."

The Gold Coast Games will be the second overseas Games where both Wales' men and women will compete side by side; the first being in Malaysia in 1998.

Wales women have the privilege of opening the games, being first up and playing against India.

Their head coach Kevin Johnson explained how this is an opportunity all will relish.

“The Commonwealth Games provide us with a unique yet valuable opportunity to test ourselves against some of the most well-known and highest ranked teams in world hockey, something both the players and staff will relish given the progress we continue to make as a group.

"Since we last met, I have been encouraged to see so many of our players push themselves in their club hockey environments and I look forward to seeing them in our upcoming training block as motivated as ever to work hard and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

"Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games also gives us the opportunity to line up proudly as part of Team Wales, which is a great honour for all involved, as part of a major multi-sports event.

"After capturing public interest for our sport locally this summer in hosting the European Championships, we are hoping that being part of this event allows us to gain more exposure and further support for both our national team and the sport of hockey as a whole in Wales."