Head Coach Cheryl Smith says she is excited by the talent currently in the Great Britain Women set-up.

An U16 camp was held at iceSheffield last weekend as GB continue their preparation for the 2016-17 international season.

GB Women start their Olympic qualifying campaign in Kazakhstan in November and their 2017 World Championship (Division 2A) tournament will take place in March/April next year, at a venue still to be confirmed.

The U18 team will travel to Poland in January next year for the Division 1B World Championship tournament.

Smith said: “We have some really exciting talent coming through the women’s programme.

“We took a number of young players to the recent international tournament in Slovakia and they really impressed.

“What’s exciting is that there are plenty more coming through and this was underlined at last weekend’s U16 camp.

“Myself, Michelle (Smith) and James (Ashton) have faith in our young players and we will give them every opportunity we can.

“Last year, the U18 team came close to a bronze medal before that final-day defeat by Kazakhstan.

“Some of these U16 players could force their way into the U18 squad. The future is definitely bright, that’s for sure.”