St Albans Hockey Club’s player-coach Hannah Macleod helped Great Britain earn a spot at Rio 2016 with victory in the World League in Valencia.

Team GB beat China 2-0 in to win the World League semi-final tournament. They will compete in the finals later this year.

Macleod was in Britain’s starting 11 for all of their games as they earned qualification for the Olympics after seven consecutive wins and six clean sheets.

St Albans Hockey Club’s director of hockey Andy Bowskill said: “Hannah has produced a string of inspirational performances which have helped guide the Great Britain team to tournament gold and automatic Olympic qualification. With her tireless running and fearless challenges she is a fierce competitor and we are all so very proud of her.”

John Hurst, the Tangerines’ head goalkeeping coach, was team manager of the women’s team in Spain.

The club’s head coach, Andy Halliday, is on duty as team manager of Great Britain’s men’s team in Antwerp at the moment. Their World League campaign started yesterday with a 2-2 draw with Belgium.

Bowskill added: “All three return to club action at Oaklands in a few weeks when pre-season preparation begins in earnest but in the meantime we acknowledge with great pride their all-round selfless contributions on the international scene.”