Holcombe will be parading 10 Commonwealth medalists when the men and women begin their season.

The women start their challenge in the Women’s Premier Division with a home game against Bowdon Hightown on Saturday.

British internationals Sam Quek and Nicola White have arrived to help fill the void left by Megan Frazer and South African international Shelley Russell. White and Quek link up with fellow home internationals Laura Unsworth, Maddie Hinch and Lucy Wood.

Later in the day, Holcombe’s men open their challenge for top spot in Men’s Conference East after back-to-back second-place finishes with a game against Old Loughtonians.

GB stars George Pinner and Iain Lewers are now on board but leading scorer Danny Hall has retired. Dan Fox, Barry Middleton and Nick Catlin remain.

Both teams, then, are awash with internationals but Holcombe chairman David South has highlighted the club’s own talent that is starting to emerge.

He said: “The investment (on signings) is not designed to go on forever. We have a plan to reduce the external commitment and increase the homegrown talent."

Rob Field has already been selected to the England under-21 squad and the son of former goalkeeping stalwart Sean Parker is also coming through the ranks as one of two under-18 internationals.

“These players are coming through and are proper club people,” said Mr South.

Read the full story in Friday's Medway Messenger.