Canterbury skipper Susannah Townsend says it was a hard decision to quit the club to join Reading but she took it to improve her chances of a place at the Rio Olympics.

The 23-year-old took over from Mel Clewlow as skipper at Polo Farm but international commitments meant she missed large parts of the season, which saw the city club miss out on first place in the National Premier Division and a subsequent place in Europe on the final day.

Townsend says she chose to switch to play-off winners Reading, who will play in Europe, as it is just 15 minutes from her house at Bisham, where she trains full-time with the GB squad.

She said: “One factor was that the travel back and forth to train and play at Canterbury takes its toll, both in terms of time and the strain on your body as well as the money aspect.

“Another factor is that Rio is approaching and at Reading I will have the opportunity to play with GB players like Kate Walsh, Helen Richardson and Susie Gilbert week-in, week-out, plus there’s the chance to test myself in Europe.”

She added: “I have to think about what gives me the best chance of going to Rio. It was a hard decision but it was a decision I felt I had to take.

“I don’t want to look back in four years and have any regrets. I joined the club as a 14-year-old and it’s been my only club. It’s a brilliant club and I would not rule out going back there in the future at some point.

“Some people aren’t too impressed. I think people expect me to stay and think I’m selfish for leaving but I have to be a bit selfish and do what’s best for me and for my chances of going to the Olympics.”

New Canterbury coach Jen Wilson admitted: “It is her decision and we are disappointed as she’s a fantastic young player but we’re hopeful of building another quality team around our core players next season.

“With her commitment to the centralised programme, the main thing is the distance she had to travel. Now she has moved her base up there it was something we knew she was considering.”