The demands placed on top athletes has been brought to the fore by the announcement that England and Surbiton goalkeeper, Jon Ebsworth, has decided to withdraw from the World Cup squad due to play in Monchengladbach in September. He has given work commitments as his reason. Ebsworth, the winner of the Hockey Writers' Club UK Player of the Year Award in January, said "The issue of going from the Commonwealth Games and World Cup Qualifier straight into the club season and the lack of a rest period has been a major factor for me being in the situation I am now. As soon as you finish a trip or tournament, you are straight back into work, needing to prove yourself to your employers."Ebsworth's retirement comes only a few months after the announcement that England and GB women's 'keeper, Carolyn Reid, was retiring from international hockey.
