Marlow’s Alex Danson believes Team GB’s women’s hockey side have all the qualities to succeed at Rio 2016.

The 31-year-old was announced as one of the key members of the 16-strong squad at Bisham Abbey Sports Centre on Tuesday and will head to Brazil in August.

With intensive preparation under their belts and a mix of youth and experience at their disposal, Danson feels Danny Kerry’s side are perfectly equipped to perform.

“We’re in a really good place and we are obviously here full-time so the work has been done back here over the last three-and-a-half-years,” Danson explained.

“We have got a very, very talented squad with a lot of depth and also have a nice blend of experience and youth which is fantastic. We are really excited going into these Olympics.”

A bronze medal at London 2012 inevitably provides the benchmark for success four years later, and gold at last year’s European Championships adds further fuel to the belief Team GB could prosper in Brazil.

The aim is, of course, to improve on the showing at Britain’s home Olympics and move one, if not two, steps up the podium.

Memories of London are never far from Danson’s mind, but she is resolute in her desire to improve on what was one of the standout moments of a glittering career.

“I remember London being a Games which just had total heart and the support was unbelievable. I don’t think anyone expected everyone to get behind the Games as much as they did,” Danson explains.

“Keep the fingers crossed [that GB can improve on Bronze]. That is the plan, that is what we have been training for and that is what we all hope will happen.

“We have a few fun weeks which will give us a great opportunity to make a couple of tweaks. I can’t believe how quickly it has come around.”

A 15-year professional career, which has featured 261 appearances and 93 goals for England and Great Britain, makes Danson one of Team GB’s most experienced players.

Her knowledge of the game could prove to be indispensable and as such she has been made a member of the team’s leadership group of senior players.

It is a role Danson is enjoying and, despite the fact she will be 35 by the time Tokyo 2020 comes around, she has no plans of retiring.

“I would love to carry on playing, but sometimes that is out of your hands. If I can continue playing and continue contributing to the team I would love to,” Danson said.

“Half of my life I have spent doing something that is incredibly rewarding and has the best of the absolute best and the lowest of the absolute low.

“You never know when your last [game] is so it [Rio] is an experience I am going to enjoy. I am going to leave everything out there and then I can be proud whatever happens.”