LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES GUIDE
EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THESTARS
THE MATCHES
THESTATS
THE DRAMA
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Contents
4
26
Simon Mason – the power of
The pools – GB women’s
the Olympics
opponents
6
28
History boys and girls – how
Great Britain men – the squad,
team GB have fared over the
player by player
years at the Olympics
38
8
The pools – GB men’s
Getting to know you – behind
opponents
the scenes with the GB athletes
40
10
The voices of hockey
John Inverdale and Nick
Irvine on their Olympic
experiences
The numbers game – how
GB have fared against their
potential opponents
42
The bluffer’s guide – all you
will ever need to know about
how the game is played
12
Welcome
Welcome to the Great Britain Hockey Olympic
Guide. During London 2012, it will be your
handy guide to the Great Britain hockey
teams and the Olympic hockey tournament
itself. Inside, you will find profiles for each of
the GB hockey athletes, coaches and officials
at the Games, venue information and your
very own bluffer’s guide.
We’ve also interviewed players, coaches,
administrators and commentators to see
just what they think about the Games and
to find out about our two teams’ chances of
claiming gold.
Hockey is THE Olympic team sport. So get
behind our teams and roar them on, whether
inside the stadium, at home or watching with
a group of friends. It’s time to make history.
44
Been there, done that – GB
women assistant coach Karen
Hockey Nation
Caught the bug? Then
get out and get playing.
One day you could be as
good as these guys...
Brown give us her insight
14
A time and a place – who’s
where, and when
16
Great Britain women – the
squad, player by player
CONT R I B U TO R S AN D P U B L I S HE R D ETAI L S
Produced by TriNorth Communications
Design by Joe Provis, Michael Ritson and
Belle Stevens
Printed by Jellyfish Print Solutions
Published by Great Britain Hockey,
Bisham Abbey NSC, Marlow,
Buckinghamshire, SL7 1RR.
Tel: 01628 897500
Contributors: Henry Cowen, Ed Davis,
Sam Stow, Matt Thacker
photographic contributors whom we
have not been able to personally thank.
The views and opinions expressed
in this publication do not necessarily
state or reflect those of the NGB and
they may not be used for advertising
or product endorsement purposes.
Photography: Ady Kerry (ady.kerry.
photoshelter.com), North West Counties
Press, Allsport, Peter Lock, Treeby
Images and Morley Pecker. Great
Britain Hockey is grateful to all other
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 3
About
The
Great
Britain Greatest
Hockey
The Hockey Associations of England,
Scotland, and Wales are all affiliated to the
International Hockey Federation (FIH) with
Great Britain Hockey being an adherent
member of the FIH. Under the charter of
the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
however, it is Team GB that is entered for
an Olympic Games by the British Olympic
Association, and it is thus as Great Britain that
hockey competes at any Olympic Games.
Show On
Earth
Three-time Olympian Simon
Mason shares his thoughts on
what makes the Olympics so
special…
Great Britain Hockey (owned equally by
the Hockey Associations of England, Scotland
and Wales) is the body responsible for the
For hockey, the Olympics is the pinnacle of everything that a performance
development and administration of hockey in
athlete does – it’s the ultimate goal. All the other opportunities you get
Great Britain related to the Olympic Games.
as an international player are fantastic, but the European Championships
This role includes the preparation, selection
and the World Cup are single-sport events. The Olympics are different,
and performance of the men’s and women’s
they bring together the very best athletes from across the world, and it’s
GB hockey squads and their participation in
incredible to be part of an event of this nature.
the Games themselves and other relevant
From a personal point of view, my fondest memories of competing in
competitions and tournaments in the build-up
three Games are simply those moments of positive emotion that surround
to the Olympics. Ultimately, it is the body
the Olympics and that are tough to replicate elsewhere. My experience
charged with delivering Olympic success for
of the opening ceremony at Sydney was absolutely incredible – it was a
the sport of hockey. For the London Olympic
moment of hair-standing-up-on-the-back-of-your-neck brilliance.
Cycle (2008-2012), the England Hockey
To feel you’re part of something that’s inspiring the world is an amazing
Board, supported by Scottish Hockey and
feeling and there are bits of music, video clips and photos that I still go
Hockey Wales, has been responsible for the
through now and again that continue to make my eyes water! That sort
operations of Great Britain Hockey.
of Olympic experience is such an enduring thing that, even when I’ve
The three Home Nations play separately in
been involved in or watching Olympic presentations this year, I’ve been
all major competitions up to and including the
affected. There’s no doubt that the Olympics changes you, as a person as
World Cup, but come together as Great Britain
well as an athlete.
for the Olympic Games.
For more information on GB Hockey please
visit our website www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
More specifically, London 2012 represents a unique opportunity for
hockey in Great Britain. The exposure that our elite athletes get has,
pleasingly, increased over the last few years, but the Olympics can act
as a real catalyst to drive this forward. Hockey has seen a number of
new initiatives in recent years, which have helped to capitalise on the
increased interest in hockey, and sport in general, that the Games have
created. Regardless of our teams’ performances – and we have every
4 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
chance of securing medals
at this Games – I think the
game is well placed to
flourish after the Olympics.
Competing in
the Olympics
is the pinnacle
of any hockey
player’s career
As for the venue for this
fantastic event, I’m sure the
Riverbank stadium – with
its bright-coloured pitch –
will excite supporters, and
the fact that it’s one of a
few sports in the Olympic
Park is great news for
hockey. With millions of
people walking past, and
with big screens showing
the action, the exposure
will be phenomenal. In
terms of a lasting legacy,
we will have a fantastic
venue to host and play
international events on a
regular basis, and a ‘home
ground’ that the hockeyloving public will be able to
enjoy for years to come.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 5
The history of
Great Britain
at the
Olympics
The Great British men’s and women’s sides are both
hoping for medals in this year’s Olympics. Here we
look back at their various successes since their first
appearance in 1908.
London 1908 – The nations of Great Britain played
separately, meaning gold for England, silver for
Ireland and joint-bronze for Wales and Scotland. Four
goals from England’s Reggie Pridmore sealed an 8-1
win over Ireland in the final.
1910
1920
Antwerp 1920 – A Great Britain team defended
their title in a round-robin tournament containing
just four teams. A walkover against France in the
final match saw the gold medal secured.
1950
London 1948 – A combination of factors, including
the outbreak of war, meant 1948 was Great Britain’s
first Olympic hockey appearance in 28 years. The
team impressed, securing silver. India were too
strong in the Wembley final though, coming out as
4-0 winners.
The victorious men’s team
celebrate their 1988 gold
medal in Seoul
6 | OLYMPIC GUIDE | englandhockey.co.uk
1950
Melbourne 1956 – A trip Down Under and the first
time GB returned from the Games empty-handed
after losing the bronze medal play-off 3-1 to West
Germany and finishing fourth.
Tokyo 1964 – A first poor showing from the Great
Britain team as they stumbled to a joint-ninth placed
finish. Defeats to Kenya and New Zealand spelled
the end as they were unable to progress past the
group stages.
Munich 1972 – Great Britain lost only two games in
the group stages but finished third, meaning they
didn’t progress to the semi-finals, eventually having
to settle for sixth place. West Germany won their
home Olympics.
Los Angeles 1984 – Los Angeles was Great
Britain’s first hockey appearance in 12 years and it
proved to be quite a return to form, finishing third
overall and taking the bronze medal after defeating
Australia 3-2, thanks to a hat-trick from Sean Kerly.
Barcelona 1992 – The Great British men were
unable to replicate their heroics of four years
earlier as they finished in sixth place. But 1992 was
much better for the women who, in their second
tournament, defeated South Korea to take the bronze
medal. A narrow 2-1 semi-final loss to Germany had
ended any hopes of gold or silver but the team rallied
to take home their first Olympic medal.
Sydney 2000 – A very similar tournament to
Atlanta as Great Britain’s men finished sixth,
having been placed in a very difficult group. The
Netherlands won the gold medal to make it two
Olympic successes in a row for them. The women’s
side could only manage an eighth-placed finish, with
hosts Australia taking the gold medal.
Athens 2004 – It was a ninth-placed finish in
2004 as Great Britain’s men managed to win just
one group game. It was even worse news for the
women’s side who were unable to qualify.
1960
1970
198 0
1990
2000
2010
Helsinki 1952 – It was another good showing for
Great Britain, finishing in the bronze medal position
behind India and the Netherlands. A 2-1 win over
Pakistan in the third/fourth place play-off got the
team a place on the podium.
Rome 1960 – Close but no cigar as Great Britain
once again ended the competition in fourth place.
This time Spain were the victorious side in the
bronze medal play-off. Pakistan ended India’s 32year hegemony to take gold.
Mexico City 1968 – Things got worse in 1968 as
Great Britain finished in twelfth place. Pakistan again
came out victorious, defeating Australia to take their
second gold medal.
Seoul 1988 – Great British hockey’s finest hour. The
hard work put in since 1980, under the direction of
manager Roger Self and coach David Whitaker, paid
off as Great Britain’s men won the gold medal. The
efforts of 1984 had been impressive and the good work
continued in the World Cup of 1986 where a silver medal
was secured. By 1988 Whitaker had built up a squad of
players that had worked together for quite some time
and confidence was high leading up to South Korea. A
loss in the group stages to West Germany threatened
to derail the medal charge but under the stewardship of
captain Richard Dodds, Great Britain went on to defeat
West Germany 3-1 in the final to take the glory. Imran
Sherwani’s second goal prompted Barry Davies’ famous
line “Where were the Germans? But frankly, who cares?”
1988 was also the first time that Great Britain’s women
competed in the Olympics, impressively finishing fourth
after a bronze medal play-off loss to the Netherlands.
Atlanta 1996 – It was a similar story in 1996 as
the Great British men came seventh overall. For
the women it was a case of heartbreak when their
bronze medal match went to penalty strokes after a
0-0 draw. The unfortunate Kathryn Johnson missed
the decisive effort and the Netherlands took bronze.
Beijing 2008 – There was an improvement in 2008 as
Great Britain’s men finished fifth, narrowly losing out
to the Netherlands and Australia in the group stages.
Germany won the gold medal for the third time. It was a
similar story for the women’s side who ended up in sixth
place, losing out to Australia in a fifth/sixth place play-off.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 7
BEHINDTHE
SCENES
We quizzed some of GB’s stars on life in the Olympic Village
and the habits of their teammates. Here’s what they had to say…
The Olympic Village
HR: It’s pretty incredible. You’re in accommodation with all the other
THE GIRLS
members of the British team and everyone is really open to interacting and
Helen Richardson, Midfielder
congratulating each other on their success. But at the same time there is a
Georgie Twigg, Midfielder
mutual respect and recognition that you’re there to do a job – you’re given
Nicola White, Forward
enough space to focus on your own preparation.
Going autograph hunting
GT: My brother has made it very clear that if I see Usain Bolt I’m to go over and
get his autograph for him. I’m not sure if I’ll be brave enough though!
Accommodation
MOST LIKELY TO…
Kill time on Twitter
GT: Me! Easily!
NW: We share rooms, and most of our pairings are pretty settled, although
Make mischief in the dressing room
obviously it depends on selection and may change from tournament to
NW: Sally Walton. She’s been known to hide
tournament. The playing schedule at the Olympics is pretty intense, so we’ll try
the odd thing…
and relax and unwind as much as possible when we’re not playing.
Speaking to the media
Read a book
HR: Kirsty Mackay. She reads a book before
NW: We know that there will be a fair bit of that to do at this Olympics because
the game; she’ll take herself off into the
we’re on home turf. Generally it will be Kate [Walsh] as she’s skipper, or one of
shower section and settle herself down.
the other senior girls, but we all quite enjoy it if we get asked.
Pre-game preparations
Bump into someone they know
HR: Alex Danson. Never go down to breakfast
HR: It depends on what time your game is as to how you spend your day, but
with her. You’ll be walking along together and
generally the key is to stay as relaxed as you can before a match. Our dressing
then two seconds later you’ll have lost her
room is quite quiet really, we don’t have music or anything because we like to
because she’s chatting to someone she knows.
give people the freedom to prepare how they want – the girls who want music,
Alex Danson’s one, can stick the headphones on while those who want a bit of
Have the messiest room
quiet can get that as well.
NW: Me – but it’s a tidy kind of messy, honest!
Downtime
GT: There won’t be any during the Olympics, we play right the way through the
two weeks, we’re not like other athletes who finish early and get to kick back
and enjoy themselves! Afterwards we might do something, although hopefully
not spending the day with the Royal Marines like we’ve done in the past…
HR: That was hideous. I actually went into hypoglycaemic shock during it!
NW: Yeah, let’s not do that. A spa day gets my vote, or a big meal where we just
take over the whole restaurant – we’re pretty good at those…
8 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Tournament life
RA: Tournaments can feel a bit weird, if I’m honest. We train so hard, we’re
really put through hell, and get used to being absolutely knackered. Then we
turn up to a tournament and, as we have to conserve energy, we’re encouraged
THE boys
Richard Alexander, Defender
to sit around and do nothing in our spare moments! But the tournaments are
what we train for, they’re the reason we play the game.
Dan Fox, Defender
Riding the momentum
Jonty Clarke, Forward
JC: Hockey tournaments are generally pretty short, sharp affairs; games come
thick and fast. The Olympics is actually one of the more civilised competitions
because games are every other day rather than back-to-back, but with
MOST LIKELY TO…
Kill time on Twitter
RA: James Tindall, or Jimmy t20 as he’s known
matches coming thick and fast, momentum becomes crucial. You end up riding
the wave of confidence that a good performance gives you into the next game
and then the next, so getting off to a good start is crucial.
(@jimmyt20 on Twitter). I think Tim Lovejoy
Keeping calm
would like to go a whole day without James
DF: We’re pretty good at keeping ourselves together – we’re a fairly relaxed
pestering him on there…
bunch of guys with similar senses of humour and interests. The guy who might
get most wound up though, well, have most trouble sleeping, is Richard Smith
Hit the gym
– he can get himself worked up before a game.
DF: Ali Wilson’s quite the gym goer. Then
JC: It’s often more of an issue after games – you’ve got so much adrenalin going
there’s Richard Smith, who’s annoying
through you that you just can’t drift off even though you’re shattered and want
because while he’s not obsessed with it, when
nothing more than to drift off. That’s when the DVD boxsets come out…
he does come in he makes you feel pretty
inadequate. He’s got to be the strongest man
Life in the Olympic Village
in the world.
DF: I’ve heard the Olympic Village is an amazing experience. You get pretty
much every height, every body shape, every diet you can think of so you can
Lose their kit
find yourself wandering around just staring at people trying to take it all
JC: I’ve never actually seen Nick Brothers keep
in. But everyone is really engaging if you do get a chance to chat to people,
his water bottle for more than 30 seconds.
although obviously there is a balancing act between enjoying the experience
Ashley Jackson’s definitely another candidate.
and keeping focused on the job, and I think we’d all agree we’d rather err on the
side of staying focused.
Tell some stories
JC: We have something called Ratopedia…
Hunting autographs
DF: It revolves around Ratman [Richard
JC: At Beijing, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal came into the village and had to
Alexander] telling stories and we have to find
leave after a day because they couldn’t get a minute’s peace! I imagine that’s
the lie. We also play Ratman Hangman…
relatively unusual though.
RA: It’s not too enjoyable for me but the rest
DF: I thought you meant who was most likely to be standing around offering
of the squad seem to enjoy it…
people autographs! That’s definitely James Tindall…
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 9
Talking the talk
We caught up with John Inverdale and Nick Irvine, two men you’ll
be hearing a lot from over the course of the Olympics…
JOHN INVERDALE has years of
is that they just walk around the stadium
huge opportunity in 1988. Again, this is
experience with sport on television
and around the whole park, and that they
a major opportunity – perhaps a once in a
and is a passionate hockey fan whose
see random people walking around with a
lifetime opportunity.
daughter plays to a high standard.
tracksuit that says Mongolia on it. It is the
During London 2012 he will be a key
whole global nature of the event, that we
The Olympics are without a doubt the
part of the BBC’s presenting team.
are all tiny specks in. It is daunting and
most amazing sporting event. It’s the
inspiring at the same time.
whole spectacle, the whole thing. You’ve
In terms of my Olympics memories
got great hockey players, you’ve got Usain
there is a mixture of good and bad
That’s the great thing about the
Bolt...the scale and breadth of the Games
– watching Ben Johnson win in Seoul
Olympics – it’s a life affirming experience.
are just mind-blowing. And look at the
was an extraordinary sporting moment
However bad you feel at the start of a
organisation that has gone into London
to have been present at. I saw Steve
day at the Olympic Games as a spectator,
2012 from its infancy, it’s just breath-
Redgrave win at a couple of Games, and
by the end of the day you will feel better,
taking.
of course Cathy Freeman in Sydney – it’s
because that little Olympic magic dust
just the buzz.
will have rubbed off on you.
It is important to drink in the
We need to use the Olympics as an
been done by LOCOG and everyone else
atmosphere. One of the things I hope for
opportunity to raise the profile of
to get us to this stage and all we need
those people going to their first Olympics
hockey in Britain. It has to. We missed a
now is a few weeks of good weather!
It’s going to be the greatest party ever.
I’m lost in admiration for the work that’s
John Inverdale and his BBC colleague
Sue Barker with members of the Great
Britain hockey teams at the Beijing
Olympic Games in 2008
10 | OLYMPIC GUIDE | englandhockey.co.uk
NICK IRVINE is a seasoned
I think both competitions are very
Personally, when I sit back and write my
commentator and pundit, who will be
much up for grabs and we may well see
memoirs, the Olympics will play a huge
working for Eurosport and providing
someone make a name for themselves in
part. I have so many wonderful memories
stadium commentary for London 2012.
this Olympics. For the women, you have
of being involved.
to say Alex Danson could have a very
The Olympics are so special for
successful tournament. Ashley Jackson
My main hope I guess is that the next
everyone involved in GB Hockey. I think
has the ability to star for the men.
time I go to a pub quiz there’s a question
about hockey and the answer isn’t Sean
everyone in hockey sees the Olympics as
the pinnacle of the sport. And to be part of
The Olympics poses interesting
Kerly! It’s Alex Danson or whoever! And
a multi-sport event is very special.
challenges for athletes. Coping with
as long as it isn’t ‘Nick Irvine’ and the
walking around the Village and seeing
question is “Who fell off their chair while
After the gold in Seoul in 1988, hockey
your sporting heroes is something
commentating…”
was in the headlines for a while. The win
that the Games throw up. For a few
was a huge boost for hockey and we need
weeks, the players have to lead a bit of a
I daren’t prepare a Barry Davies-esque
to create another story at this Games.
monastic lifestyle as it were.
moment of commentary gold. I don’t
think that sort of thing works. I hope if
It’s a huge opportunity – you can change
back page news into front page news.
It’ll be interesting to see how the home
the moment comes, something sensible
It was like the Kennedy Assassination –
crowd affects things. I don’t think we’ll
comes out of my mouth.
everyone knows where they were when
know how the players will react until
Britain won. I just wish I could say I was
they step out there. And the media can
somewhere more interesting than my
be fickle. I’d say one of the sides needs
living room when it happened.
to medal.
Nick commentating at the
Euro Hockey League
englandhockey.co.uk | SUMMER | 11
The Voice of
Experience
Karen Brown was in the Great Britain women’s side the last
time they secured a medal at the Olympics, taking bronze at
Barcelona in 1992. She is also one of the world’s most capped
female hockey players, with 179 appearances, and is now on the
coaching staff trying to inspire Great Britain’s current crop of
elite women to Olympic success.
How do you think it’s going to
differ, having once been a player
but now being in a coaching role?
You do look at it differently. You are
still very focused on your specific
role. Obviously, you do much more
work behind the scenes doing
things which, unlike in a playing
role, people don’t see. You’ve got
to make sure you get your job done.
You also give decision-making a
lot more thought, having to attend
to 16 athletes. In a way, you feel
more helpless, since you are not in
a playing role, but once the game
starts you just concentrate on the
job at hand.
Do you feel as though you are a
different person now than you
were as a player?
I think whichever role you are in
you always learn new things and
gain experience. If anything, I’ve
learnt more in the past few months
than over the past four years,
such is the way disciplines develop
between Olympiads.
Is it sometimes difficult to
remain detached and objective
with this group of players?
You work with them every day, so
attachments develop, but dropping
players with whom you have a bond
is part and parcel of the job.
In terms of preparing for the
tournament, how do you make
sure the players reach their
peak effectively?
We have a four-year programme
of conditioning which ensures that
we can peak around the same time
every year, avoiding injuries and
developing tactics. Compared to
where we were before Beijing 2008,
we are well ahead of the curve.
Has there been much of a
departure from particular training
methods since Beijing 2008?
There hasn’t been much change
but we’ve been pacing ourselves.
Before Beijing 2008, we really
pushed ourselves in the last nine
months, but the development of
hockey in Britain has led people
to buy into our team and educate
us. Certainly, since Sydney 2000,
hockey has become a nine-tofive job for the British women’s
team. We’ve been based at
Bisham Abbey since 2009, and the
switch has been very effective,
with everything under one roof.
It’s made a real impression on
the athletes.
12 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
As the home nation, there is
more expectation, so how did
you deal with the pressure as an
athlete in previous Games?
It’s difficult not being given much
freedom around the place you are
staying in, especially with media
attention, but you learn to live with
it. You can’t hide away from it so
dealing with it is a very important
part of being an athlete.
In comparison with club hockey,
how important do you think
physical conditioning is ahead
of international tournaments
and games?
I would say an international game
is around thirty to forty percent
faster than a club game – an
enormous amount of difference.
Good technical ability while playing
at that pace is a phenomenal skill
to possess. Club set-ups should
be higher than they are now, and
it’s a big challenge to improve and
meet international levels, but
that’s where hockey needs to go in
the future.
Finally, what sort of advantage
do you have being home nation?
It’s too early to tell, but as a coach
I believe that it can provide a
psychological boost. I am sure that
we can play well and win a medal
regardless, but the home support
might give us that edge to go on and
win games when it gets tough.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 13
Fixtures
and Venue
At London 2012, both the men’s and
women’s hockey competitions begin with
a preliminary phase: the 12 teams in each
competition are divided into two pools
of six, and each team plays every other
team in their pool. The top two teams
DatePoolTime
FixtureTeam
in each pool qualify for the semi-finals,
Sunday 29 July
A
19:00
Great Britain v Japan
the winners of which go head-to-head
Monday 30 July
A
19:00
Great Britain v Argentina Men
for the gold. The other teams in the two
Tuesday 31 July
A
16:00
Great Britain v Korea
Women
groups play each other to determine final
Wednesday 1 August A
16:00
South Africa v Great Britain Men
standings. In the preliminary phase,
Thursday 2 August
A
19:00
Belgium v Great Britain
Women
teams receive three points for a win and
Friday 3 August A
16:00
Great Britain v Pakistan
Men
one point for a draw.
Saturday 4 August
A
16:00
China v Great Britain
Sunday 5 August
A
19:00
Great Britain v Australia Men
resolved by extra time (two seven-and-a-
Monday 6 August
A
19:00
Great Britain v Netherlands Women
half-minute periods), with a golden goal
Tuesday 7 August
A
19:00
Spain v Great Britain
Men
– the first goal scored – winning the match.
Wednesday 8 August
All day
Women’s classification
If still tied, the match is decided by a shoot-
Thursday 9 August
All day
Men’s classification
out competition of five attempts per team.
Friday 10 August
All day
Women’s classification
If the scores are still tied, the match is
Saturday 11 August
All day
Men’s classification
In the knockout matches, ties are
Women
Women
decided by sudden death shoot-out.
THE RIVERBANK ARENA
The Riverbank Arena in the north of the Olympic Park is an
(the other is the Olympic Stadium). The Riverbank Arena also
innovative and eye-catching venue capable of holding up to
plays host to five-a-side and seven-a-side football at the
16,000 spectators. Over the course of the Olympic Games,
Paralympic Games. After the Games, the temporary venue will
630,000 spectators will pass through its turnstiles to see the
be dismantled.
world’s best hockey players in the flesh.
London 2012 is the first Olympic Games where the hockey
A legacy venue, the Lee Valley Hockey Centre, will be built
nearby at Eton Manor with 3,000 permanent seats, with
pitches aren’t green. The pitch is blue, with pink used for the
scope to expand up to 15,000 spectators for major events.
surrounding area, earning it the nickname ‘smurf turf’. And,
When completed in 2014, the Lee Valley Hockey Centre will
that’s not all! The ball, traditionally white, is bright yellow,
be used by everyone from community groups, schools and
making it easier to see against the blue pitch. Seen from
local hockey clubs to international teams. It will also play
above, it is hard to miss the iconic pitch in the open air hockey
host to major championships, such as the women’s and men’s
venue, one of only two open air arenas in the Olympic Park
EuroHockey Championships in 2015.
14 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Officials
SHEILA MORROW – JUDGE,
WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT
was reserve umpire for the final of the 2010 Men’s World Cup and
whistled the finals of both Champions Challenge 1 and 2 in 2011.
An FIH Category 1 Tournament Director,
An umpire both outdoors and indoors, Ged first officiated
Sheila will be one of the British officials
at an indoor club tournament in his home town of Dundee in
on the touchline at London 2012. Since
1992 when a shortage of umpires saw him offer to help out. As
performing the same role, judge, at the
a player, he began as a 12-year-old before playing for Lawside
Olympic Games in Beijing four years ago,
FP and Dundee Wanderers. He is Principal teacher of Physical
Sheila has been Technical Officer at the 2010 Women’s World Cup
Education at St John’s Roman Catholic High School in Dundee.
and Tournament Director at the 2012 Champions Trophy.
umpired 30 internationals in five tournaments. A retired Sports
HAMISH JAMSON – UMPIRE,
MEN’S TOURNAMENT
Council Officer from Bangor in North Wales, Sheila played 112
Experienced international umpire Hamish
times for Wales as well as 24 times for GB, including a spell as
Jamson from Leeds has umpired some of
captain from 1980-1982. She identifies her proudest moment as
hockey’s biggest matches in recent times.
presenting the Welsh team to the Queen at Wembley in 1981.
Since earning his Golden Whistle for 100
After receiving international accreditation in 1987, Sheila
senior international matches umpired,
FRANCES BLOCK – UMPIRE,
WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT
which he was awarded at the 2009
Frances took up umpiring following an
World Cup, Champions Trophy, European Championships and the
accident that forced her retirement from
Euro Hockey League, taking charge of the final at both the 2011
playing in 1999. Since then, she has
Champions Trophy and 2012 Euro Hockey League.
progressed through her qualifications
and in recent years has officiated at some
EuroHockey Nations Championships, Hamish has umpired at the
A Principal Research Fellow at the University of Leeds,
Hamish’s first foray into international umpiring came at the 1997
of the biggest tournaments in the world
Junior World Cup. Since then he has gone on to officiate at four
including the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2010 World Cup,
European Championships and three World Cups. London will be
the 2011 Indoor World Cup and the 2011 Champions Trophy.
his first Olympic Games. In June, he was named by the England
Most recently she umpired at the Champions Trophy in Rosario,
Hockey Board as its Performance Umpire of the Season.
where she took charge of the bronze medal match, and the
Olympic Test Event in May.
Originally from north London, Frances now lives in Brighton
NATHAN STAGNO – UMPIRE,
MEN’S TOURNAMENT
and teaches at Central Sussex College. She was named
Nathan Stagno, from Gibraltar, has been a
Performance Umpire of the Season 2010-2011 at the England
Grade 1 umpire since 2001. He progressed
Hockey Board Annual Awards last summer.
to the FIH World Development Panel in
2009 and onto the World Panel in 2010.
GED CURRAN – UMPIRE,
MEN’S TOURNAMENT
Over the last couple of years, he has
Ged heads to London for his first
Championships semi-final and the 2011 Men’s Champions Trophy
Olympics, having officiated at some of the
in Auckland. This year, Nathan took charge of the bronze medal
world’s biggest tournaments. Since first
match at the Euro Hockey League, hockey’s equivalent of football’s
becoming an FIH International Umpire in
Champions League, and was appointed to the London 2012
1996, Ged has umpired almost 100 senior
Olympic Test Event at the Riverbank Arena in May.
international matches, including four
umpired the 2011 EuroHockey Nations
Nathan was brought up in Catalan Bay in Gibraltar and lives
Champions Trophy tournaments, encompassing the 2009 and
there with his family, his wife Audrey of 25 years, his two sons
2010 Finals, and the final of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He
Kyle (24) and Kayron (18) and his mother. He works for Gib Oil Ltd.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 15
Great Britain
Women’s squad
ASHLEIGH
BALL
LAURA
BARTLETT
MIDFIELDER | #22
MIDFIELDER | #14
London 2012 will be Ashleigh‘s first Olympics. Having competed for
24-year-old Laura Bartlett from Glasgow was one of two reserve
England at under 16, 18 and 21 level, Ashleigh made her international
athletes for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing but found herself
debut during a Test Series against Germany shortly after the Beijing
called up to replace Jennie Bimson after three matches when
Olympic Games and has been a regular in the England and Great
Bimson was forced to out with an injury. The former Glasgow
Britain team ever since. She graduated from Leeds University with
Western athlete has had to overcome her own injury troubles in the
a BSc in Medical Sciences before completing a Masters in nutrition
build-up to the London Olympic Games, having seriously injured her
at King’s College London. Originally from Brighton, Ashleigh grew up
knee in a match against Germany in May 2010. The injury kept her
in Cheltenham and is one of a number of vegetarians among the GB
out of Scotland’s team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi that
women’s hockey squad. Ashleigh is a regular at her local dance club
year but she returned with a series of outstanding performances
where she has been taking lessons since the start of the year.
for her country, which resulted in her being named British hockey’s
twitter.com/ashleigh_ball22
facebook.com/ashleighball22
twitter.com/laurabartlett19
Athlete of the Year for 2011. Her grandfather Ian McMillan, played
Date of Birth: 25 March 1986
football for Rangers and Scotland. Laura has a degree in Business
International Appearances (goals): 23 (5) Great Britain,
Studies from Glasgow Caledonian University.
48 (0) England
International Debut: 2 October 2008
Date of Birth: 22 June 1988
International Tournaments (Honours):
International Appearances (goals): 43 (4) Great Britain,
Olympic Games: None
57 Scotland
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
International Debut: 2007
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
International Tournaments (Honours):
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze)
Commonwealth Games: None
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
World Cups: None
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (2nd), Dublin 2011
Club: Slough
[Champions Challenge] (bronze)
Hometown: Cheltenham
European Championships: Poznan 2011 [EuroHockey
Started in hockey: Began playing hockey, as well as netball
Nations Championships II] (gold), Amstelveen 2009 (8th),
and athletics, at St Edward’s School in Cheltenham where
Siauliai 2007 [EuroHockey Nations Championships II] (gold)
the school put her forward for county trials
Club: Reading
Pre-match ritual: Refuses to straighten her hair before a
Hometown: Glasgow
game for fear it’ll make the team lose
Started in hockey: Began playing at her school, Glasgow
Sporting idol: Chrissie Wellington
Academy, where hockey was the main sport for girls
Pre-match ritual: Shower before a match
Sporting idol: Michael Johnson
16 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
CRISTA
CULLEN
DEFENDER | #5
twitter.com/cristacullen5 | facebook.com/cristacullen
www.cristacullen.com
ALEX
DANSOn
FORWARD | #15
twitter.com/alexdanson15 | facebook.com/alexdanson15
London 2012 will be Alex Danson’s second Olympics. Alex
Crista Cullen is one of the world’s most celebrated defenders and
was just 16 when she made her senior international debut in
has been named in the World All Stars team three times – in 2006,
2001, when she was also runner-up in the BBC Young Sports
2007 and 2010. A feared penalty corner taker, she was part of the
Personality of the Year. A team regular, she was named in the
GB squad for the Beijing Olympic Games, where she was the team’s
FIH’s World All Stars Team 2011. Her goal helped England defeat
top goal scorer, netting three times. Born in Lincolnshire, Crista spent
Germany to win bronze at the 2010 World Cup. In May 2012, Alex
her early life growing up in Kenya, where her family still lives, before
suffered a scare at the Olympic Test Event when she injured
moving to Leicestershire at the age of 12 to attend Oakham School,
her shoulder. She loves keeping active and enjoys surfing,
in Rutland. When she returns to Kenya she stays in a tent. She has
snowboarding, climbing and cycling. She is nearing completion of
a Business Studies degree from Nottingham Trent University and
an OU degree and hopes to go into teaching.
would like to run her own business. A keen adventurer, Crista enjoys
kite surfing and water skiing and each year takes part in the ‘Rhino
Date of Birth: 21 May 1985
Charge’, a charity race in Kenya using off-road vehicles.
International Appearances (goals): 53 (21) Great Britain,
123 (29) England
Date of Birth: 20 August 1985
International Debut: 23 October 2001
International Appearances (goals): 72 (27) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (Honours):
92 (24) England
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
International Debut: 19 July 2003
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
International Tournaments (Honours):
2006 (bronze)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th),
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
Perth 2002 (5th)
2006 (bronze)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th),
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Macau 2002 (6th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th),
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Sydney 2003 (5th)
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze),
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Dublin 2005 (bronze), Barcelona 2003 (4th)
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze),
Club: Reading
Dublin 2005 (bronze)
Hometown: Odiham, Hampshire
Club: Leicester
Started in hockey: Having seen a match aged 7, she begged
Hometown: Boston, Lincolnshire
mum Trisha to buy her a stick. She spent hours in the back
Started in hockey: First played at the age of nine at Banda
garden practising shooting against a sheet on a washing line.
School in Kenya, she was only introduced to artificial turf at
Pre-match ritual: Left shin pad on first and spins her stick
the age of 14 during Leicestershire under 15 hockey trials.
15 times before the start. Always the second player onto the
Pre-match ritual: Puts her left shin pad on before her right.
pitch and runs her hand along the turf before the game
Straightens her hair, primarily to keep it out of her eyes.
Sporting idol: Her mum and Ali Wakefield, who both
Sporting idol: Jennie Bimson
represent everything she would want to be in sport
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 17
HANNAH
MACLEOD
EMILY
MAGUIRE
FORWARD | #6
DEFENDER | #3
For Dr Hannah Macleod, London 2012 will be a first taste of
London 2012 will be Emily’s first Olympic Games. Emily, from
the Olympic Games having missed out on selection to the GB
Paisley near Glasgow, first joined her local hockey club, Kelburne,
training squad for the Beijing Games. The forward, who has a PhD
at the age of five having watched older brother Paul playing.
in Exercise Physiology from Nottingham Trent University, has
After 15 years at the club, she left Kelburne, one of Scotland’s
played a key role in Leicester’s domestic and European success in
top sides, to move south and train full time with the Great Britain
recent years and has enjoyed international success with England
squad. A fan of computer games, Emily loves her Xbox and has
and Great Britain, winning medals at the World Cup, Champions
all of the Call of Duty games. A Maths graduate from Glasgow
Trophy, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
University, she hopes to take up a career in finance in the future.
A fan of most sports, Hannah was inspired at the age of eight
Emily made her GB tournament debut as part of the team that
by the performances of Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell at the
won a historic silver medal at the 2012 Champions Trophy.
twitter.com/hannahmacleod6 | facebook.com/HannahMacleod06
twitter.comemilymaguire23 | facebook.com/EmilyMaguire03
1992 Olympic Games. Was one of six GB players that met Sir Elton
John at the end of May, along with Alex Danson, Anne Panter,
Date of Birth: 17 December 1987
Nicola White, Kerry Williams and Dilly Newton.
International Appearances (goals): 28 (1) Great Britain,
71 (0) Scotland
Date of Birth: 9 June 1984
International Debut: 12 October 2010
International Appearances (goals): 21 (5) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (Honours):
46 (5) England
Olympic Games: None
International Debut: 23 October 2003
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (7th)
International Tournaments (Honours):
World Cups: None
Olympic Games: None
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Dublin 2011
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
[Champions Challenge] (bronze)
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
European Championships: Poznan 2011 [EuroHockey
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Nations Championships II] (gold), Amstelveen 2009 (8th),
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze)
Siauliai 2007 (EuroHockey Nations Championships II) (1st)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Club: Reading
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze)
Hometown: Paisley
Club: Leicester
Started in hockey: Joined Kelburne Hockey Club in Paisley
Hometown: Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
at the age of five having watched her older brother Paul
Started in hockey: First picked up a hockey stick in a
playing
PE lesson at the age of 13. Her teacher Alison Emslie
Pre-match ritual: None
encouraged her to join the local hockey club, St Ives.
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
Pre-match ritual: More of a team ritual, everyone has to
sit in the same place in the changing room throughout the
tournament. She also has to stand in the same place in the
line-up for the national anthem for every game.
Sporting idol: Sir Steve Redgrave
18 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
ANNE
PANTER
HELEN
RICHARDSON
MIDFIELDER | #7
MIDFIELDER | #8
Beijing Olympian Anne Panter will be competing in her second
Midfield maestro Helen is one of the most experienced members of
Olympic Games at London 2012. But there was a time Panter
the GB team, entering her third Olympics. She is recognised at world
thought she would never play hockey again after undergoing a
level as one of the best in the business – shortlisted for the World
pioneering double operation that involved the reconstruction of
Player of the Year Award in 2010, Helen has been named in the FIH
the post cruciate ligament in her left knee and a patella tendon
World All Stars Team three times, in 2009, 2010 and 2011. She was
debridement. The injury and rehabilitation kept her sidelined for
part of the team that won silver in the 2012 Champions Trophy and
two and a half years between Beijing and London. The Leicester
she cites her greatest moment in hockey as winning bronze at the
player returned to help England to a bronze medal at the 2011
2010 World Cup in Argentina. When she played at the 2000 Olympic
European Championships and GB to silver in the Champions
Games, she was the youngest British woman to represent GB in
Trophy in early 2012. She is a big fan of rugby, particularly
hockey at an Olympics. Helen is currently studying psychology at the
Northampton Saints. Was fortunate to escape unscathed from a
Open University.
twitter.com/anniepanter | facebook.com/AnnePanter07
twitter.com/h_richardson8 | facebook.com/HelenRichardson08
car crash just five weeks before London 2012.
Date of Birth: 23 September 1981
Date of Birth: 28 January 1984
International Appearances (goals): 82 (6) Great Britain,
International Appearances (goals): 50 (1) Great Britain,
146 (22) England
51 (3) England
International Debut: 21 July 1999
International Debut: August 2002
International Tournaments (Honours):
International Tournaments (Honours):
Olympic Games: Sydney 2000 (8th), Beijing 2008 (6th)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
Commonwealth Games: None
2006 (bronze), Manchester 2002 (silver)
World Cups: Perth 2002 (5th)
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th),
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Perth 2002 (5th)
2011 (5th), Macau 2002 (6th)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th)
Manchester 2007 (bronze), Barcelona 2003 (4th)
Randburg 2002 [Champions Challenge] (bronze)
Club: Leicester
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Hometown: Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze),
Started in hockey: Her PE teacher Helen Birch inspired her
Dublin 2005 (bronze), Cologne 1999 (bronze)
to play at the age of 8.
Club: Reading
Pre-match ritual: Triple checks everything before leaving
Hometown: West Brigdford, Nottinghamshire
the hotel
Started in hockey: Was a promising junior cricketer in
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
Nottinghamshire and played with her two older brothers
before concentrating on hockey.
Pre-match ritual: Likes to be the last person in the line-up
as the team walks out on to the pitch.
Sporting idol: Steffi Graf and Roger Federer
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 19
CHLOE
ROGERS
MIDFIELDER | #12
twitter.com/RogersChloe12 | facebook.com/ChloeRogersGB12
www.chloerogers12.com
BETH
STORRY
GOALKEEPER | #1
twitter.com/BethStorry | facebook.com/BethStorry01
Born and brought up in Reading, GB goalkeeper Beth Storry is
One of the more experienced members of the team, Essex-born
rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Named in the
Chloe Rogers has been an ever present member of the England
2010 World All Stars Team, keen baker Beth played a significant
and Great Britain teams in recent years. As well as a talented
role in England’s triple medal winning year of 2010, picking
hockey player, Chloe is an excellent golfer. She has played off
up bronze medals at the World Cup, Champions Trophy and
a handicap as low as 4 and was the 2007 British Universities
Commonwealth Games. She was also critical to Great Britain’s
Women’s Individual Strokeplay Champion. At secondary school,
silver medal success at the 2012 Champions Trophy in Rosario.
she was coached by Carol Wooding, the mother of her 2008
Away from the hockey pitch, earlier in the year, Beth took
Beijing Olympic teammate Lisa Letchford. Another of the
part in a goalkeeper training session with Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester contingent that won the 2011-2012 Investec Women’s
goalkeeper Brad Friedel, himself an Olympian with the USA.
Premier Division title alongside London 2012 teammates Crista
Cullen, Anne Panter and Hannah Macleod.
Date of Birth: 24 April 1978
International Appearances (goals): 37 (0) Great Britain,
Date of Birth: 30 March 1985
71 (0) England
International Appearances (goals): 56 (4) Great Britain,
International Debut: 25 August 2002
99 (11) England
International Tournaments (Honours):
International Debut: 18 November 2003
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
International Tournaments (Honours):
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
2006 (bronze)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th)
2006 (bronze)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th),
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Macau 2002 (6th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze)
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze)
Club: Reading
Club: Leicester
Hometown: Reading, Berkshire
Hometown: Great Dunmow, Essex
Started in hockey: Beth started playing hockey at
Started in hockey: Began playing hockey at Dunmow
secondary school where her teachers Mr Wickens and Miss
Primary School, joined Dunmow Hockey Club. Carried on
Leesom spotted her talent and encouraged her to join
playing at Helena Romanes Secondary School.
Reading.
Pre-match ritual: None
Pre-match ritual: Likes to listen to her iPod before a game,
Sporting idol: Sally Gunnell
focusing on her kicking technique in the warm-up. Always
has her water bottle on the right hand side of her goal.
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
20 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
SARAH
THOMAS
GEORGIE
TWIGG
FORWARD | #29
MIDFIELDER | #18
Hailing from Merthyr Tydfil, Sarah Thomas is the only Welsh
The youngest member of the Great Britain women’s hockey
athlete in the squad and heads to London 2012 for her second
team at London 2012, 21 year old ‘Twiggy’, as she is known,
Olympic Games. Sarah, who played club hockey for Rotterdam
makes her Olympic debut just over two years after her first
in the Netherlands until the Great Britain team centralised for
senior international appearance for England at the Champions
Olympic training, has represented Wales at every level from
Trophy in Nottingham. Her goal against South Africa at the 2010
under 16 to the senior international side, captaining her country
Commonwealth Games was enough to help England win the
in the process. Named BBC Wales’ Junior Sports Personality of
bronze medal in Delhi. Never seen without her trademark pearl
the Year in 1997, the year she made her senior international
earrings, the fashionable young midfielder recently completed
debut aged 16, Thomas has a degree in Exercise and Sports
a Law degree at Bristol University and, in May 2012, carried the
Science from the University of Exeter. While playing in the
Olympic torch through the city.
twitter.com/sarah_thomas18 | facebook.com/SarahThomas29
twitter.com/georgietwigg | facebook.com/GeorgieTwigg18
Netherlands, Sarah set up her own personal training company
Fitness-18. In Beijing, her goal sparked a British comeback from
Date of Birth: 21 November 1990
2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Argentina.
International Appearances (goals): 18 (1) Great Britain,
28 (2) England
Date of Birth: 13 January 1981
International Debut: 10 July 2010
International Appearances (goals): 58 (6) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (Honours):
69 Wales
Olympic Games: None
International Debut: June 1997
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
International Tournaments (Honours):
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (8th)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze)
World Cups: None
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver)
Club: Clifton
European Championships: Barcelona 2003 (12th)
Hometown: Lincoln
Club: None
Started in hockey: Began playing hockey at Foremarke
Hometown: Merthyr Tydfil
Hall prep school before joining Lincoln Hockey Club. At
Started in hockey: Having picked up a hockey stick aged 13,
the time she preferred netball but soon concentrated on
Thomas first played for Wales under 16s just six months later.
hockey after progressing through county trials in hockey.
Pre-match ritual: Always jumps three times before the
Pre-match ritual: Always rings her dad before a match
start of a match
and does her hair and make-up before every game.
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
Sporting idol: Dame Kelly Holmes
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 21
LAURA
UNSWORTH
KATE
WALSH
DEFENDER | #4
DEFENDER | #11
One of a number of players who made their senior international
The longest serving player in the GB team, captain Kate is now in
debut in October 2008 following the Beijing Olympic Games,
her 13th year of her international career. This is the Mancunian’s
Laura Unsworth hails from Sutton Coldfield, the same town as
third Olympics, and she has captained England and GB since
legendary British hockey star Jane Sixsmith MBE. Now back at
2003. Kate led the side to its best ever World Cup result, the
Loughborough Students, where she is studying business and
bronze, in Rosario in 2010. Shortlisted for the World Player of
finance at the University, Laura has previously played for Sutton
the Year Award in 2003, Walsh was GB Hockey’s Athlete of the
Coldfield and Leicester hockey clubs. She was joint runner-up to
Year in 2007 and has twice won the prestigious Hockey Writers’
Helen Richardson as Investec Women’s Performance Player of
Player of the Year, in 2003 and 2007. Alongside Laura Unsworth,
the Season 2011-2012. A fan of shopping and the theatre, she is
she was joint runner-up for the Investec Women’s Performance
particularly proud of her collection of trainers and says she could
Player of the Season 2011-2012. A keen follower of fashion,
not leave the house without her fake tan.
Kate likes nothing more than leafing through fashion magazines.
twitter.com/LauraUnsworth4
twitter.com/katewalsh11 | facebook.com/KateWalsh15
Date of Birth: 8 March 1988
Date of Birth: 9 May 1980
International Appearances (goals): 30 (1) Great Britain,
International Appearances (goals): 103 (9) Great Britain,
47 (0) England
184 (31) England
International Debut: 2 October 2008
International Debut: 7 May 1999
International Tournaments (Honours):
International Tournaments (Honours):
Olympic Games: None
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (6th), Sydney 2000 (8th)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze), Melbourne
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
2006 (bronze), Manchester 2002 (silver)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze), Madrid 2006 (7th),
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th)
Perth (5th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze).
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009
Club: Loughborough Students
(6th), Sydney 2003 (5th), Macau 2002 (6th)
Hometown: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Started in hockey: Growing up in Sutton Coldfield, Laura
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007
joined Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club at the age of 10.
(bronze), Dublin 2005 (bronze), Barcelona 2003 (4th),
Pre-match ritual: Incredibly superstitious, she always
Cologne 1999 (bronze)
warms up in her tracksuit top no matter how hot the
Club: Reading
weather is. She doesn’t allow Ashleigh Ball to straighten
Hometown: Stockport
her hair in case it brings bad luck and she goes to the toilet
Started in hockey: Initially, Kate wasn’t interested in playing
three times before a match – as soon as the team arrives,
hockey after getting cold watching her mum Barbara play but
before the warm-up and immediately after the warm-up.
once she tried it, she loved it and joined Didsbury Greys HC.
Sporting idol: Darren Clarke
Pre-match ritual: Prepares her match kit and shower stuff
the night before a match.
Sporting idol: Paula Radcliffe and Sally Gunnell
22 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
SALLY
WALTON
NICOLA
WHITE
DEFENDER | #23
FORWARD | #28
Before embarking on a career as an international hockey player,
One of the youngest members of the team for London, Nicola
keen Chelsea supporter Sally Walton played football for Aston
made her senior international debut for England against
Villa Ladies. Having made her international debut in 2005, Sally,
Germany in 2009, a match in which she scored. Since then she
from Solihull, is set to make her Olympic debut in London. In
has gone on to medal success at the World Cup, Champions
recent years, she has been a regular member of the England
Trophy, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
and Great Britain squads that have won medals at every major
The Loughborough College Sport Science student is also a
championship. At the 2009 EuroHockey Nations Championships,
talented musician and can play the piano to Grade 6. When not
she donned the goalkeeping pads – and made several key saves –
playing hockey or practising the piano, she likes shopping for
in a match against the Netherlands after goalkeeper Beth Storry
shoes. Red-head White was nicknamed ‘Scholesy’ at university
dislocated her shoulder with England’s reserve goalkeeper not
after Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes.
twitter.com/sallywalton23 | facebook.com/sallywalton23
twitter.com/NicolaWhite28 | facebook.com/NicolaWhiteGB28
listed among the substitutes. Sally was the 100th athlete to be
selected to Team GB by the British Olympic Association for the
Date of Birth: 20 January 1988
London Olympic Games.
International Appearances (goals): 29 (0) Great Britain,
44 (4) England
Date of Birth: 10 June 1981
International Debut: 20 June 2009
International Appearances (goals): 24 (1) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (Honours):
86 (7) England
Olympic Games: None
International Debut: 9 June 2005
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
International Tournaments (Honours):
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
Olympic Games: None
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
2011 (5th), Manchester 2010 (bronze)
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Amstelveen
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (bronze)
2011 (5th), Nottingham 2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th)
Club: Slough
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Hometown: Oldham
Amstelveen 2009 (bronze), Manchester 2007 (bronze),
Started in hockey: Was inspired by her PE teacher Penny
Dublin 2005 (bronze)
Moorfield and started playing aged seven
Club: Bowdon Hightown
Pre-match ritual: Likes to listen to the same songs in the
Hometown: Solihull, West Midlands
same order on the way to every match with Laura Unsworth
Started in hockey: Played at school and loved it. Her mum
Sporting idol: Dame Kelly Holmes
took her to a local club when she was injured playing football.
Pre-match ritual: Always puts on her right shoe first
Sporting idol: Dame Kelly Holmes
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 23
gb women’s reserves,
coaching team and
support staff
NATALIE
SEYMOUR
ABI
WALKER
DEFENDER | #9
GOALKEEPER | #24
Canterbury defender Natalie is one of GB’s two reserve athletes
Reserve goalkeeper for the London 2012 Olympic Games,
for the Olympic Games, alongside clubmate goalkeeper Abi Walker.
Scotland’s Abi Walker combines a career as an international
Since making her senior international debut for England in late 2006,
hockey player with one as a surgeon at St George’s Hospital in
Natalie has gone on to win medals at all of the major championships.
London. She attended High School of Glasgow and graduated
Natalie cites her greatest achievement in hockey as being part of
in medicine from the University of Glasgow in 2006. One of a
the first English women’s hockey team to win a World Cup medal, in
family of six medics, she passed the Member of the Royal College
Argentina in 2010. Brought up in Maidstone, she has an MSc in Health
of Surgeons exam with one hand after breaking the other
Psychology from London Metropolitan University and a BSc from the
the previous evening at hockey training. The former Glasgow
University of Kent, where she received a sport scholarship.
Western goalkeeper now plays for Canterbury in the Investec
twitter.com/natalieseymour9 | facebook.com/NatalieSeymourGB9
twitter.com/abiwalker24 | facebook.com/AbiWalker24
Women’s Hockey League.
Date of Birth: 29 September 1986
International Appearances (goals): 23 (0) Great Britain,
Date of Birth: 29 January 1982
51 (0) England
International Appearances (goals): 17 (0) Great Britain,
International Debut: 28 November 2006
65 (0) England/Scotland/Wales
International Tournaments (Honours):
International Debut: June 2003
Olympic Games: None
International Tournaments (Honours):
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (bronze)
Olympic Games: None
World Cups: Rosario 2010 (bronze)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (7th)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (silver), Nottingham
World Cups: None
2010 (bronze), Sydney 2009 (6th)
Champions Trophies: Rosario 2012 (2nd), Dublin 2011
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
[Champions Challenge] (bronze)
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (bronze)
European Championships: Poznan 2011 [EuroHockey
Club: Canterbury
Nations Championships II] (gold), Amstelveen 2009 (8th),
Hometown: Maidstone, Kent
Dublin 2005 (7th), Barcelona 2003 (7th)
Started in hockey: Chose to focus on hockey aged 13
Club: Canterbury
having tried a number of sports including netball and
Hometown: Glasgow
swimming at Boughton Monchelsea Primary School and
Started in hockey: Abi started playing hockey at the High
Maidstone Grammar School.
School of Glasgow when she was 11.
Pre-match ritual: Always has a banana before a game.
Pre-match ritual: She always puts on the left side of her
Always sits in the same place in the changing room
goalkeeping kit first
Sporting idol: Sir Steve Redgrave
Sporting idol: Sir Chris Hoy
24 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
DANNY
KERRY
KAREN
BROWN
CRAIG
PARNHAM
HEAD COACH
ASSISTANT COACH
ASSISTANT COACH
On finishing a higher
Karen is a former
Craig has been Assistant
degree at Warwick,
England and Great Britain
Coach since April 2007.
Danny began lecturing
International. Having won
As a player, he captained
at Brunel where he
355 caps, she is Britain’s
his country, representing
worked with the Men’s
most capped hockey player of
England 51 times and GB 64
BUSA team, reaching
all time, competing in three
times, playing for England in
five consecutive finals
Olympic Games and winning a
the 2002 World Cup and for
(1995-1999), winning three. At the same time, he worked with
bronze medal in 1992.
GB in two Olympic Games.
Ealing Ladies and in 1997 was appointed Assistant Coach to the
Karen began coaching at
Domestically, Craig enjoyed
England under 18 boys group, becoming Head Coach in 2001.
Chelmsford in 2000, leading
success with Cannock,
That same year, Danny worked as Assistant Coach to the
them to a silver medal in the
winning the league, Men’s
England under 21 Men’s team and from 2001 he took over as
European Cup Winners Cup in
Cup and a European silver
coach of Canterbury Ladies, winning the Women’s Cup in 2003
2005, as well as the national
medal. Prior to Cannock, he
and a silver in the European Cup Winners Cup in 2004. During
indoor title that same year.
played for Stourport and
2004 Danny successfully completed his FIH High Performance
She joined England Hockey in
Bridgnorth.
Coaching Qualification Final Seminar and following work with
2005 as Junior Performance
the England Women’s ‘B’ group, he was appointed Head Coach
Manager, moving to Assistant
remembered for the near
to the England Women’s Senior Team. Under his leadership,
Coach working alongside
fatal injury he sustained
Great Britain qualified for the Beijing Olympics earlier than ever
Danny Kerry in 2006. Since
whilst playing for England in
before, via England’s bronze medal at the 2007 EuroHockey
then, she has been part of
the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Nations Championships in Manchester. He led Great Britain to
the coaching team that has
in Kuala Lumpur in August
a sixth place finish at the Games, three places higher than the
led England to bronze medals
2001 when he was caught
team’s world ranking at the time.
at the World Cup, Champions
in the throat by an opposing
Trophy, two Commonwealth
player’s stick. The incident
the EuroHockey Nations Championships in 2005, 2007, 2009
Games and three European
required the rebuilding of
and 2011 but 2010 was his, and the team’s, most successful
Championships. With Great
his larynx, but he made a
year, winning three bronzes. England won their first medal at
Britain, she worked with the
remarkable recovery and
the Champions Trophy, beating Germany in Nottingham, before
side that finished sixth at
returned to the England
going to Rosario for the World Cup, where they again won their
the Beijing Olympic Games
side just five months later in
first ever medal – with another victory over Germany. The hat-
and, more recently, the side
January 2002. Craig played
trick of bronzes was completed in Delhi at the Commonwealth
which won the silver medal
his last international match
Games. In February 2012, Danny’s GB side achieved the country’s
at the Champions Trophy in
for Great Britain in the 2004
best result at world level, winning silver at the Champions
February 2012.
Olympic Games in Athens.
Danny has led England to four consecutive bronze medals at
He will perhaps be mostly
Trophy, going down narrowly 1-0 to Argentina in the final.
International honours: Olympic Games: 2008 (6th); World
Cup: 2010 bronze medal; Champions Trophy: 2010 bronze
HILARY ROSE
MANAGER
medal, 2012 silver medal;European Championships: 2005,
An experienced international goalkeeper, Hilary represented GB at
2007, 2009, 2011 (all bronze medals); Commonwealth
the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000. In a career in which she won
Games: 2006, 2010 (both bronze medals); Champions
more than 150 caps, Hilary has previous ‘home Games’ experience
Challenge: 2007 bronze medal
having played for England in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in
SUPPORT STAFF
Manchester, winning the silver medal. During her playing days,
she played for GB Head Coach Danny Kerry when he was coach at
David Faulkner, Performance Director & Team Leader
Canterbury, winning the silver at the European Club Championships.
Maggie Souyave, Analyst, GB Women
Hilary is now a radiographer at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital,
Emma Batchelor, Physio, GB Women
having obtained a First Class Honours BSC in Diagnostic Radiography
Graeme Wilkes, Doctor
from Canterbury Christ Church University following her retirement.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 25
GB WOMEN
the pool stages
We run the rule over all the teams competing in
this year’s Olympics and try and gauge how the
pool stages might go for Great Britain’s Women.
Pool A
Netherlands
Korea
The top-ranked side in the world and the Olympic holders will be
Ranked eighth in the world, the Korean side will need something
hoping to leave London with a gold medal around their necks.
special if they are to come close to replicating their feats of 1988
Since Los Angeles in 1984 the Dutch have finished outside of
and 1996, tournaments at which they claimed silver. The likes
the medals only once. Competition will be tough, particularly in
of the Netherlands, Great Britain and China will, however, most
the form of the Argentinians, who pipped the Netherlands to
likely prove too much of an obstacle.
the World Cup in 2010 and won the 2011 Champions Trophy, but
hopes will be high for the side in orange. Maartje Paumen, Dutch
Japan
captain and current World Player of the Year, lifted the Investec
Like the Korean side, progression through the pool will probably
London Cup in May and will be confident that her side can come
prove to be a struggle for Japan. Their previous Olympic showings
out on top again.
have ended in finishes of eighth and tenth and 2012 seems set
to deliver a similar result. Below Korea in the most recent world
Great Britain
rankings, their match will be a closely fought encounter.
Victory over Argentina in the London Prepares Series will have
boosted confidence at just the right time. It’s set to be a huge
Belgium
tournament for Great Britain’s women who foster genuine
The lowest-ranked team in the women’s competition, sitting at
medal hopes. A world ranking of fourth, allied with some
16th in the rankings between Chile and Azerbaijan, qualification
favourable home support, bodes well and for Kate Walsh’s
was ensured in March after a 4-1 victory over Ireland. On their
side an improvement on their sixth-placed finish in Beijing is a
Olympic debut, Belgium will be hoping to pick up points and
prerequisite. The matches against the Netherlands and China will
surprise one or two opponents.
be eagerly anticipated.
China
As hosts, China impressed in 2008, reaching the final, which
they lost to the Netherlands. Finishes of sixth, seventh and
eighth in the Champions Trophy since then have not been quite
as impressive but the team, ranked sixth in the world, will be
hoping to make it through to the semi-finals. To do so a win
against Team GB will probably be required. The showdown is on
Saturday 4th August.
26 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Maartje Pauman, captain of
the world’s number one side
the Netherlands, holds aloft
the Investec London Cup.
Will Great Britain
be able to defeat
Las Leonas?
Pool B
Argentina
Australia
Las Leonas will be targeting a place on the podium at the
The Hockeyroos missed out on qualification for the semi-finals
2012 Olympics, but will want to finally break their duck and
in Beijing only on goal difference and find themselves now in
win the gold after three successive tournaments where they
something of a transitional period. Gold medal winners in Atlanta
have fallen just short. As World Cup champions they are a team
in 1996 and at home in 2000, they now sit sixth in the world
to be feared. Famed for always fighting to the final whistle,
rankings but will still pose a significant threat in London. At the
regardless of whether the game appears lost, the Argentinian
recent Investec London Cup the Australians looked sharp at the
side should be there or thereabouts come August. They will
recent Investec London Cup. They came out on the wrong side
however be missing influential goalkeeper Belen Succi, as she
in the end to take silver but coach Adam Commens is backing his
prepares for motherhood.
young side to impress. Jodie Schulz, the team’s drag flick specialist,
will want to add to her already impressive international goal tally.
Germany
The 2004 Olympic champions are another team that will
United States
pose a significant threat to anyone they come up against in
The USA haven’t appeared on an Olympics podium in women’s
London. A fourth-placed finish in this year’s Champions Trophy
hockey since 1984 in Los Angeles and it looks unlikely that
demonstrates that the side are very much in the hunt for a
situation will change in London this time round. A particularly
medal, as does their silver medal at the EuroHockey Nations
tough pool has made things even harder for the side who
Championships. Captain Tina Bachmann will be playing in her
finished eighth in Beijing.
third Olympics, having won gold in Athens and fourth place in
Beijing.
South Africa
Like the United States, progression for South Africa would be
New Zealand
a tall order. Ranked eleventh in the world and playing all their
An all-Antipodean affair against Australia will kick off the
games against sides ranked above them it will take something
women’s Olympic tournament, with New Zealand coming
special for them to finish at the right end of the group. Rather
up against their close rivals on Sunday 29th July. The two
unusually, were forced to qualify twice for London 2012 after
teams, who sit next to each other at sixth and seventh in the
the South African Olympic Committee insisted they qualify
International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) rankings, would very
through the Qualifying Tournament despite winning the African
much like to get their campaigns off to a winning start. If either
continental championships. Progression would be a surprise but
side gets a win they will have half a chance of finding themselves
it is one that the South Africans might just be able to pull off.
in the semi-final.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 27
Great Britain
Men’s squad
NICK
CATLIN
MIDFIELDER /
FORWARD | #26
JONTY
CLARKE
FORWARD | #12
@JontyClarke
@nickcatlin8
Jonty is one of the longest standing members of the GB team
London 2012 will be Nick’s first Olympic Games. In 2008, he
having made his international debut in February 2003 against
was part of the British Olympic Association’s ‘Britain’s Olympic
Belgium. He has 192 international caps and has scored an
Ambition’ programme, which saw him travel to the Beijing Olympic
impressive 41 goals during his career which has seen him pick
Games to experience what an Olympics is like for an athlete. The
up three medals since 2009, including gold at the Europeans in
programme aims to better prepare potential Olympic athletes to
Amstelveen. Jonty plays his club hockey at Reading alongside GB
adapt to the environment. Since making his debut in 2009 Nick
teammates Nick Catlin, Iain Mackay and Richard Mantell. Off the
has appeared for Great Britain and England on 65 occasions. He
pitch Jonty is a qualified accountant with BDO and lives with his
grew up in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, a stone’s throw away from
wife Sarah in Windsor. Jonty’s dad, Dick, is England’s most capped
the team’s Bisham Abbey training base and followed his two
indoor player, with 82 caps between 1976 and 1987. Dick coached
older brothers into hockey. In June 2012 he was one of seven GB
the national indoor side to two silver medals.
hockey athletes to pose naked for the centrefold of Cosmopolitan
magazine as part of a campaign to raise awareness of prostate
Date of Birth: 28 January 1981
and testicular cancer for the charity, Everyman.
International Appearances (goals): 54 (13) Great Britain,
138 (28) England
Date of Birth: 8 April 1989
International Debut: 10 February 2003
International Appearances (goals): 20 (3) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (honours):
45 (3) England
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
International Debut: 28 November 2009
Commonwealth Games: Melbourne 2006 (4th)
International Tournaments (honours):
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Olympic Games: None
Champions Trophies: Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver),
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Melbourne 2009 (6th) , Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Champions Trophies: Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver),
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th),
Melbourne 2009 (6th)
Leipzig 2005 (6th), Barcelona 2003 (bronze).
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze)
Club: Reading
Club: Reading
Hometown: Southend on Sea, Essex
Hometown: Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Started in hockey: Jonty grew up watching his dad play
Started in hockey: Nick’s two older brothers Graeme and
hockey and followed him into the sport
James both played thanks to an enthusiastic PE teacher.
Pre-match ritual: Always get a good V drag in during the
Nick followed them into the sport
warm up
Pre-match ritual: None
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
28 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
MATT DALY
JAMES FAIR
FORWARD | #10
GOALKEEPER | #25
London 2012 will be Matt’s second Olympic Games having been
Since being a travelling reserve for the Beijing Olympics, an
part of the side that finished fifth in Beijing. Matt has a prolific
experience which he described as being “so close but so far”,
international goal scoring ratio with a total of 57 goals in 143
James has firmly made his mark as Great Britain and England’s
appearances. Since winning gold at the European Championships
first choice goalkeeper. His efforts in goal have helped the side
in 2009 Matt has been blighted with injuries, which ruled him
to three medals, including gold in 2009 when his performance
out of both the Commonwealth Games and World Cup in Delhi
at the European Championships saw him named Goalkeeper of
in 2010. Over the past 12 months he has spent more time off
the Tournament. His supremacy on the world stage was again
the pitch being treated than he has playing, but with his name
recognised in 2010 when he was named in the FIH All Stars
back on the score sheet at his first major tournament, the Sultan
Team alongside Barry Middleton and Ashley Jackson. Away from
Azlan Shah Cup in May, he put himself back into contention for
the international scene James plays his club hockey for Cannock.
Olympic selection. Matt plays his club hockey for Surbiton and is
He studied Geography and Geology at Birmingham University
one of a trio of players selected from the premier division side
and is now a games teacher and hockey coach at Stowe School
alongside James Tindall and Rob Moore. Off the pitch, Matt is a PE
in Buckingham.
@menshockey2012
@jfair25
teacher and hockey coach at Kingston Grammar School; he has a
Sports Science degree from Brunel University.
Date of Birth: 8 January 1981
International Appearances (goals): 38 (0) Great Britain,
Date of Birth: 8 July 1983
87 (0) England
International Appearances (goals): 48 (13) Great Britain,
International Debut: 15 January 2005
95 (44) England
International Tournaments (honours):
International Debut: 13 January 2005
Olympic Games: Travelling reserve for Beijing in 2008
International Tournaments (honours):
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th), Melbourne 2006 (4th)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Commonwealth Games: Melbourne 2006 (4th)
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
World Cups: Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th),
Champions Trophies: none
Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th), Leipzig
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th)
2005 (6th)
Club: Cannock
Club: Surbiton
Hometown: Chester
Hometown: Surbiton
Started in hockey: James began playing at Deeside
Started in hockey: Matt started playing hockey at
Ramblers in Cheshire. One day, when the normal goalkeeper
secondary school at Desborough and was encouraged by
didn’t turn up he padded up and has been in goal ever since!
his teacher/coach Mike Williamson
Pre-match ritual: James likes to do the same warm-up for
Pre-match ritual: None
every game and always stands at the far end when the
Sporting idol: Rafa Nadal
teams walk out at the start of the game
Sporting idol: Michael Johnson
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 29
DAN FOX
BEN HAWES
DEFENDER | #27
DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER | #14
London 2012 will be Dan’s first taste of an Olympic Games, but
After captaining Great Britain to fifth place in Beijing, Ben is one of
in keeping with the other members of the team he is not short
only three men’s players, alongside Rob Moore and Barry Middleton,
of international experience. Since making his debut in 2009
who will be appearing in their third Olympics this summer. Ben is
Dan has notched up 40 caps and also has a silver medal from the
the longest standing member of the team having made his debut
2010 Champions Trophy in Mönchengladbach. When Dan isn’t
back in 2002 just prior to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
playing hockey he is also a very good cricketer; in 2004 he scored
Since then he has a full collection of bronze, silver and gold medals.
104 for Oxford in the Varsity match and boasts a higher first-
On the club scene, Ben started playing hockey at Lewes Hockey
class average (73.75) than West Indies legend Brian Lara (51.88).
Club before moving on to Surbiton, Amsterdam and most recently
Apart from having a potential career as a cricketer, Dan studied
Wimbledon. He cites his biggest achievements in hockey as winning
Geography at Oxford University and is now a qualified teacher,
gold at the European Championships in 2009 and being crowned
working at Cranleigh School. He lives with his other half, Jeni who
European Club Champions with Amsterdam in 2005. Away from
is also a teacher, in Godalming.
hockey Ben works in marketing for the Intercontinental Hotel
@danfox450
@benhawes14
Group. He recently had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch in
Date of Birth: 3 March 1983
St Ives, Cambridgeshire.
International Appearances (goals): 17 (0) Great Britain,
23 (0) England
Date of Birth: 28 July 1980
International Debut: 9 May 2009
International Appearances (goals): 88 (20) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (honours):
125 (25) England
Olympic Games: None
International Debut: 14 June 2002
Commonwealth Games: None
International Tournaments (honours):
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th), Athens 2004 (9th)
Champions Trophies: Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver),
Commonwealth Games: Melbourne 2006 (4th)
Melbourne 2009 (6th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
European Championships: none
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Club: Hampstead and Westminster
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
Hometown: Godalming, Surrey
European Championships: Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Leipzig
Started in hockey: Dan’s parents played hockey so he spent
2005 (6th), Barcelona 2003 (bronze)
every weekend down at Olton and West Warwickshire; he
Club: Wimbledon
highlights particular support from his coach Steve Heslop
Hometown: Lewes, East Sussex
Pre-match ritual: None
Started in hockey: Ben started playing for Lewes Hockey
Sporting idol: Jonathan Edwards
Club in East Sussex with his parents and family.
Pre-match ritual: Lucky sweatbands!
Sporting idol: Michael Johnson
30 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
ASHLEY
JACKSON
MIDFIELDER/FORWARD | #7
GLENN
KIRKHAM
MIDFIELDER | #4
@ashleyjackson7
London 2012 will be Glenn’s second Olympics. He is one of
Ashley made his debut when he was 19 years old and has been
four players in the selected 16 to have made more than 200
one of the star players in the GB line-up ever since with 133
international appearances, a feat he has achieved over nine
international caps and 75 goals to his name. Renowned for his
years since his debut against Belgium in 2003. He has been
drag flicking, Ashley is acknowledged by his peers as one of the
one of the most consistent members of the squad in recent
best players in the world; he has twice been named in the FIH
years winning bronze, silver and gold medals in tournaments
World All Stars Team in 2009 and 2010 and was named the FIH
since 2009. Glenn studied Sports Science at Loughborough
World Young Player of the Year in 2009. Ashley grew up playing
University (2:1) and has played club hockey at Long Sutton,
his club hockey at East Grinstead before taking a couple of years
Loughborough Students and most recently East Grinstead.
out to join HGC in the Netherlands before returning to his home
When he is not playing hockey Glenn is a PE and games
team last season. Ashley also played county cricket to under 18
teacher at Perse School in Cambridge. A keen Tottenham
level and England age group ice hockey.
Hotspur fan, he was named after Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle.
He is married to Marie and they are expecting their first child
Date of Birth: 27 August 1987
in November.
International Appearances (goals): 62 (26) Great Britain,
71 (49) England
Date of Birth: 8 October 1982
International Debut: 28 November 2006
International Appearances (goals): 69 (7) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (honours):
145 (7) England
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
International Debut: 7 April 2003
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
International Tournaments (honours):
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th), Melbourne 2006
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th) ,
(4th)
Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th)
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th) ,
Club: East Grinstead
Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
Hometown: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Started in hockey: Ashley began playing at Sutton Valance
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th),
school and his dad took him down to East Grinstead Hockey
Leipzig 2005 (6th)
Club
Club: East Grinstead
Pre-match ritual: Writes the important people in his life on
Hometown: Chelmsford, Essex
his stick. Always warms up with Rob ‘Gumbo’ Moore.
Started in hockey: Glenn comes from a hockey family and
Sporting idol: Jonny Wilkinson and Sidney Crosby
he can’t remember a time a hockey stick wasn’t in the family
(Pittsburgh Penguins captain)
home. Glenn also highlights inspirational coaching from
Peter Dennis and Jerome Watson
Sporting idol: Jonny Wilkinson
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 31
IAIN
LEWERS
IAIN
MACKAY
DEFENDER | #24
FORWARD | #23
Iain has racked up 44 appearances for England and Great Britain
London 2012 will be Iain’s first taste of an Olympics Games but
since making his debut against Malaysia in The Sultan Azlan
with 94 international appearances since his debut in May 2009
Shah Cup in May 2011. He previously played 89 times for Ireland.
and a full collection of bronze, silver and gold medals to his name
Since then he has won a bronze medal with England at the
he is no stranger to British hockey fans. Iain cites his greatest
2011 European Championships in Mönchengladbach. At club
achievement in hockey as winning the European Championship
level Iain played at Annadale in Northern Ireland throughout
in Amstelveen just three months after making his debut. Iain
his school and university years before moving to HGC in the
plays his club hockey for Reading and was part of the team that
Netherlands for three years where he played under the current
finished third in the 2010/11 Euro Hockey League. Away from
Netherlands head coach, Paul van As. Last season he joined East
hockey Iain has managed to balance his hockey career with
Grinstead, linking up with Ashley Jackson, Glenn Kirkham and
working for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a trainee accountant.
@iainlewers
Barry Middleton. Away from hockey, Iain went to the University
of Ulster in Jordanstown where he studied Sports Science and
Date of Birth: 24 April 1985
graduated with a 2:1.
International Appearances (goals): 31 (1) Great Britain,
63 (11) England
Date of Birth: 5 January 1984
International Debut: 9 May 2009
International Appearances (goals): 29 (1) Great Britain,
International Tournaments (honours):
15 (1) England
Olympic Games: None
International Debut: 5 May 2011 (GB)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
International Tournaments (honours):
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Olympic Games: None
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Commonwealth Games: None
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th)
World Cups: None
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th)
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (gold)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Club: Reading
Manchester 2007 (7th)
Hometown: Braintree, Essex
Club: East Grinstead
Started in hockey: Iain started playing at Braintree Hockey
Hometown: Belfast
Club after his brother began going down there to train
Started in hockey: Iain started playing hockey with his
after school. He continued his hockey at Bishop’s Stortford
family and close family friends. He played at Annadale HC in
College under England National Age Group Coach, Charlie
Belfast from the age of five to 22 and still considers himself
Bannister. Iain’s parents are very supportive and have played
to be a member. Special recognition is given to his family
a huge part in helping him get to where he is
and his first coach, Ronnie Smyth
Pre-match ritual: None
Pre-match ritual: None
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
Sporting idol: None
32 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
HARRY
MARTIN
BARRY
MIDDLETON
MIDFIELDER | #9
MIDFIELDER/FORWARD | #18
At just 19 years old Harry is the youngest member of the
Named as captain of the Great Britain team, Barry has a wealth
team but he already has quite a bit of experience to draw on,
of experience and will be going into his third Olympic Games as
including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the
the most capped GB player with more than 250 international
2011 Champions Trophy in Auckland. Harry is the first player
appearances. Barry has been a formidable force in the GB ranks
to be selected for an Olympic Games who has been involved in
since his debut as a 19 year old back in 2003. He has racked up
England Hockey’s Single System (long term athlete development
an impressive 74 goals and has been named no fewer than three
pathway). Away from hockey, Harry will be starting at the
times in the FIH All Stars team, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Away
University of Nottingham in September, having delayed the
from the international scene, Barry has played club hockey for
start of his Economics degree by a year to focus on London
Doncaster, Cannock, HGC, An Der Alster and East Grinstead and
2012. In June this year he was one of seven GB hockey athletes
won the German League with An Der Alster in 2011. Barry cites
to pose for the centrefold of Cosmopolitan magazine as part of
his greatest achievement to date as captaining the side to glory
a campaign to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer
in the 2009 European Championships in Amstelveen.
@HarryMartin_9
for the charity, Everyman.
Date of Birth: 12 January 1984
Date of Birth: 23 October 1992
International Appearances (goals): 96 (31) Great Britain,
International Appearances (goals): 25 (2) Great Britain,
159 (43) England
8 (0) England
International Debut: 7 April 2003
International Debut: 12 July 2010
International Tournaments (honours):
International Tournaments (honours):
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th), Athens 2004 (9th)
Olympic Games: None
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th), Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
(4th)
World Cups: None
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th)
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th), Melbourne 2009
European Championships: None
(6th) , Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
Club: Old Loughtonians
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
Hometown: Ipswich
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th),
Started in hockey: Harry started playing hockey at Ipswich
Leipzig 2005 (6th), Barcelona 2003 (bronze)
School where he was encouraged and coached by David
Club: HGC, Netherlands
Walsh
Hometown: Doncaster and Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Pre-match ritual: None
Started in hockey: Barry got started in hockey through his
Sporting idol: Rafa Nadal
parents who both played and coached at Doncaster
Pre-match ritual: None
Sporting idol: Sandy Lawson and Jonathan Redfern
(Doncaster HC)
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 33
ROB
MOORE
RICHARD
SMITH
MIDFIELDER/FORWARD | #13
DEFENDER | #29
Rob made his international debut against Belgium back in 2003
London 2012 will be Richard’s first Olympic Games, but
and is the second most capped player in the Great Britain team
the 24-year-old Portsmouth-born defender is not short of
with 230 international appearances. This will be his third Olympic
international experience with 84 caps to his name. Richard,
Games having previously competed in Athens and Beijing. Rob is
or Smudge as he is commonly known, has played club hockey
part of a trio of Surbiton players selected alongside James Tindall
for City of Portsmouth and Guildford, and currently plays for
and Matt Daly. Away from the pitch Rob is very much a family
Loughborough Students, balancing his hockey career with study
man. Married to Camilla, together they have a son Alfred, who
at Loughborough University where he has been studying for six
started his modelling career early as he appeared in a Zurich TV
years and has just completed a Masters in Business Analysis and
advert (2010) alongside his dad.
Management. Back on the pitch, watch out for him halting attacks
@rob13moore
@RS_smudge
and lining up at penalty corners during GB’s matches.
Date of Birth: 21 May 1981
International Appearances (goals): 82 (21) Great Britain,
Date of Birth: 28 September 1987
148 (19) England
International Appearances (goals): 20 (4) Great Britain,
International Debut: 10 February 2003
64 (7) England
International Tournaments (honours):
International Debut: 9 May 2009
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th), Athens 2004 (9th)
International Tournaments (honours):
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th), Melbourne 2006
Olympic Games: None
(4th)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Champions Trophies: Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver),
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th) ,
Melbourne 2009 (6th)
Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
(bronze), Amstelveen 2009 (gold)
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th), Leipzig
Club: Loughborough Students
2005 (6th)
Hometown: Portsmouth
Club: Surbiton
Started in hockey: Richard first discovered hockey thanks
Hometown: Havant, Teddington
to Alf Whimshurst from City of Portsmouth Hockey Club
Started in hockey: Rob was self proclaimed “sports-mad”
who came into his junior school. He then went along to City
when he was younger and started playing hockey at prep
of Portsmouth HC where Pete Atkins coached a fantastic
school aged nine. He remembers his first international
junior team who won all county titles from under 13 to
inspiration was being coached by a young Russell Garcia not
under 17
long after Garcia won Olympic gold in 1988
Pre-match ritual: Making sure he has everything with him!
Pre-match ritual: If Rob finds himself being superstitious or
Sporting idol: None.
ritualistic, he tries to stop himself immediately! Although he
does always warm up with Ashley Jackson....
Sporting idol: Roger Federer, Ayrton Senna and Richard Hill
34 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
JAMES
TINDALL
ALASTAIR
WILSON
FORWARD | #20
DEFENDER | #17
London 2012 will be James’ third Olympic Games. Known around
Alastair already has one Olympic Games under his belt having
the world for his ability to score goals, James hit the target in his
been part of the team that went to Beijing in 2008. He describes
very first game against the Netherlands back in 2005 and has
his biggest achievement to date as winning gold at the 2009
gone on to score in every major tournament he has been involved
European Championships. He plays for Beeston and was part of
in since. Going into the Olympics, James has 187 international
the team that made the Euro Hockey League quarter finals for
caps, scoring an incredible 77 goals. He has been one of the most
the last two years. Away from hockey Alastair has a famous other
consistent members of the squad in recent years. When James
half in the shape of swimming superstar Fran Halsall. In June
isn’t scoring goals for club and country he has a season ticket to
2012 he was one of seven GB hockey athletes to pose for the
watch his beloved Chelsea FC. In June 2012 he was one of seven
centrefold of Cosmopolitan magazine as part of a campaign to
GB hockey athletes to pose for the centrefold of Cosmopolitan
raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer for the charity,
magazine as part of a campaign to raise awareness of prostate
Everyman. His father Richard is Umpire Development Manager
and testicular cancer for the charity, Everyman.
with the International Hockey Federation.
@Jimmyt20
@aliwilson17
Date of Birth: 22 April 1983
Date of Birth: 19 December 1983
International Appearances (goals): 61 (21) Great Britain,
International Appearances (goals): 56 (0) Great Britain,
126 (56) England
103 (6) England
International Debut: 13 January 2005
International Debut: 13 January 2005
International Tournaments (honours):
International Tournaments (honours):
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th), Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
(4th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Champions Trophies: Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver),
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th),
Melbourne 2009 (6th) , Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
Mönchengladbach 2010 (silver), Melbourne 2009 (6th) ,
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th), Leipzig
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
2005 (6th)
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th), Leipzig
Club: Beeston
2005 (6th)
Hometown: Sheffield
Club: Surbiton
Started in hockey: Alastair’s mum and dad took him down
Hometown: Virginia Water, Surrey
to junior training in Sheffield
Started in hockey: James started playing hockey when he
Pre-match ritual: None
was eight at Woburn Hill Primary School
Sporting idol: Ian Botham
Pre-match ritual: Listening to music
Sporting idol: Rory McIlroy
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 35
gb men’s reserves,
coaching team and
support staff
RICHARD
MANTELL
GEORGE
PINNER
DEFENDER | #6
GOALKEEPER | #1
Richard, from Bridgwater in Somerset, is a reserve for London 2012
George is a ‘P’ accredited reserve athlete. He made his
and will be what is known as a ‘P’ accredited athlete. He has over
international tournament debut in 2011 at the Champions Trophy
160 appearances and was part of the England team that won gold
in Auckland where the team finished sixth. George, from Ipswich,
in the 2009 European Championships. Richard is one of two Mantell
plays his club hockey at Beeston in Nottingham. In June 2012 he
brothers who are part of the GB hockey set-up; his brother Simon
was one of seven GB hockey athletes to pose for the centrefold of
missed out on selection following an injury at the Olympic Test
Cosmopolitan magazine as part of a campaign to raise awareness
Event. Richard memorably suffered a broken leg against Pakistan
of male cancers and the Everyman cancer charity.
@richm6
@GCP01
at the 2010 World Cup but returned to Delhi eight months later for
the Commonwealth Games. He plays his club hockey for Reading
Date of Birth: 18 January 1987
who won the Men’s England Hockey League Championship this year.
International Appearances (goals): 4 (0) Great Britain,
Richard is married to Jen and lives in Datchet. He is the sales and
6 (0) England
marketing manager for SSS, the adidas hockey distributors in the UK.
International Debut: October 2007
International Tournaments (honours):
Date of Birth: 17 August 1981
Olympic Games: None
International Appearances (goals): 49 (19) Great Britain,
Commonwealth Games: None
115 (49) England
World Cups: None
International Debut: 10 February 2003
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th)
International Tournaments (honours):
European Championships: None
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008 (5th)
Club: Beeston
Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 (4th)
Hometown: Ipswich
World Cups: Delhi 2010 (4th), Mönchengladbach 2006 (5th)
Started in hockey: George’s school teacher, David
Champions Trophies: Auckland 2011 (6th), Melbourne 2009
Walsh, introduced him to hockey and encouraged him to
(6th) , Kuala Lumpur 2007 (6th)
keep playing
European Championships: Mönchengladbach 2011 (bronze),
Pre-match ritual: Far too many!
Amstelveen 2009 (gold), Manchester 2007 (5th)
Sporting idol: Peter Schmeichel
Club: Reading
Hometown: Datchet, Berkshire
Started in hockey: Richard’s father played hockey so he was
introduced to it from a very early age and always loved it
Pre-match ritual: He sets a routine before each game
which he goes through to make sure he is ready to play
Sporting idol: Roger Federer
36 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
JASON
LEE
BOBBY
CRUTCHLEY
DAVID
BUNYAN
HEAD COACH
ASSISTANT COACH
ASSISTANT COACH
London will be Jason’s
Bobby has been a coach
David is in his second Olympic
third Olympic Games
with the England and Great
cycle with the Great Britain
as Head Coach having
Britain’s men’s teams since
men’s team.
led Great Britain to a
back in 2005.
ninth-placed finish at
He previously worked
He joined England Hockey
as a full-time employee in
the Athens Olympics in
as Assistant Coach to the
2006 having previously
2004 and a fifth-placed
England and GB women’s
worked as a consultant with
finish in Beijing in 2008. A former international player, Lee made
team and as Head Coach to
the National Age Group
his international debut for England at 19 and represented Great
the England & GB U21 men’s
teams, including a spell as
Britain at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
team. Bobby has coached
Head Coach of the U21 men’s
at many levels within
squad, and the senior squad
embarked on a coaching career with Loughborough Students
English clubs, twice winning
for some years before.
and England. When he led Great Britain into the Athens
promotion to the upper
Olympics, he was just 33 and one of the youngest national
echelons of English hockey
includes spells at Chatham
coaches in British sport.
with Sheffield and Team
House Grammar School,
Bath Buccaneers.
Ramsgate and Kent College,
He retired from playing after the 1998 World Cup and
Jason was introduced to hockey by his hockey-loving mum,
starting a trend in which the sport became very much a family
As a player Bobby won
David’s coaching experience
Canterbury. At club level,
affair. Jason’s wife, Laura, a teacher, played over a hundred times
80 caps for England &
David enjoyed a two-year
for Ireland, and his sister Lisa was a clubmate of the former
Great Britain in a career
spell at Bromley from 1990
England star Jane Sixsmith at Sutton Coldfield.
which included winning a
and a fifteen-year stint at
bronze medal at the 1998
Canterbury. Between 1994
from the bottom of the Midlands League to the top end of the
Commonwealth Games.
and 2000, David worked with
National Premier League in just six years. Jason resigned from
His illustrious playing
Wales’ senior men’s squad; the
Loughborough after the team failed to win the Premiership Final
career included spells with
last three years as Head Coach.
against Reading in 2003.
Hounslow, Cannock and
As the coach of Loughborough Students he took them
David recently completed
Neston, Canberra Lakers in
the UKCC Level 4 course
World Cup, six positions above their pre-tournament ranking
Australia and Cernusco in
through the University
of 11. Lee’s England then clinched the European Championship
Italy. Bobby won the national
of Central Lancashire.
title for the very first time in 2009 and a Champions Trophy
title and was top goal scorer
As someone who did not
silver medal followed in August 2010. The side missed out on
in all three countries and in
represent his country on
the medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games despite not
1996 he was named as the
the pitch, he argues that a
losing a match. Defeat on penalties to India in the semi-final
Hockey Writers’ UK Player of
“growth” mindset is critical
was followed by more penalty heartbreak against New Zealand
the Year.
when working with the squad.
In 2006, he led England to an impressive fifth place at the
in the bronze medal match. A year later, he guided England to
European bronze in the summer of 2011 before the team came
together as Great Britain to compete at the 2011 Champions
ANDY HALLIDAY
MANAGER
Trophy in Auckland where they finished sixth.
Former England indoor captain Andy Halliday was appointed team
Olympic Games career: 1992, 1996 (athlete); 2004, 2008
manager ahead of the World Cup in 2010, and is the current England
(Head Coach); Champions Trophy: 2010 silver medal; European
men’s indoor Head Coach. He won 51 caps for the England indoor
Championships: 2009 gold medal, 2011 bronze medal
side and was part of the GB training squad ahead of the 1988
support staff
Olympic Games. A one-club player with the dominant St Albans side
of the 1980s and 90s, he retired in 2003, having won the prestigious
David Faulkner, Performance Director & Team Leader
UK Hockey Writers’ Club Player of the Year Award in 1990. Before
John Hurst, Analyst, GB Men
taking up the reins as senior men’s manager, Andy was manager of
Laura Hanna, Physio, GB Men
the England U21 squad. Following a distinguished career with the
Graeme Wilkes, Doctor
Metropolitan Police Force, Andy retired from the force in 2010.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 37
GB MEN
the pool stages
A look at the sides Great Britain’s men will come up against in their
pool as well as a run-down of the teams who will be looking to qualify
from Pool B.
Pool A
Australia
Argentina
Bronze medal winners in Beijing, the Kookaburras will want
Men’s hockey is less popular in Argentina and the men’s side
nothing less than gold in London. Currently ranked top in the FIH
are unable to replicate the stellar performances of their female
world rankings they go into the tournament off the back of some
compatriots but at least 2012 sees a return to the Olympics,
impressive form, taking gold at the Commonwealth Games in
having not qualified for Beijing. Like Pakistan, progress through
2010, winning the World Cup in the same year and tasting glory
the pool will prove a real challenge.
in the 2011 Champions Trophy. Scorer of over 150 international
goals, Jamie Dwyer will lead a side that includes his cousin Matt
South Africa
Gohdes. The team to beat.
The lowest-ranked side in the tournament, the South Africans
secured their Olympic berth after a tense qualification win
Great Britain
against Japan in May. They will struggle to compete with the
The hosts will be hoping that home support can carry them
big teams in their pool but an encouraging series against GB on
forward at this year’s Olympics. A fifth-placed finish in 2008 was
home turf earlier this year will give them hope.
encouraging and a world ranking of fourth means a medal is a
strong possibility. The men are perhaps not as heavily backed as
the GB women but Jason Lee and his boys will be pulling out the
stops to give their supporters an Olympics to remember.
Spain
The Spanish will hope to go one better than the 2008 games
where they lost 1-0 in the final, to Germany courtesy of a single
goal from Christopher Zeller. Progress through the pool might
hinge on a crunch match against Team GB. 35-year-old Pol Amat
will be taking part in his fifth Olympics, having first featured in
Atlanta in 1996.
Pakistan
For a country in which hockey is the national sport the last few
tournaments have been something of a disappointment for
Pakistan. There has been no podium finish since Barcelona in
1992, and 2012 doesn’t look set to offer anything different for
the Green Shirts. Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas will also
carry his country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony.
38 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Vice-captain Glenn
Kirkham in action
at the London
Prepares Series
against India
If things go to plan for Australia they
will be celebrating again when it comes
to the medal presentation.
Pool B
India
New Zealand
Historically India are the most successful of the sides competing
The Black Sticks will get the men’s tournament underway, taking
at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals since 1928.
on Korea in the initial match-up. It will be a key fixture for the
However no medal success since 1980 and a gradual drop in their
side who came seventh in 2008 as they look to improve, perhaps
world ranking means 2012 doesn’t hold too much hope. 2004
taking inspiration from their fourth-placed finish in the 2011
saw an eighth-placed finish while the side were unable to qualify
Champions Trophy.
for 2008. Finished fourth at the Olympic Test Event.
Germany
Netherlands
The holders of the Olympic title will be desperate to lengthen
The winners of the 1996 and 2000 games will have high hopes
their reign. Beijing saw the side take their third Olympic gold
of a medal in this year’s competition. A third-place finish in the
medal and a runners-up placing at the 2010 World Cup will have
2010 World Cup, the 2011 Champions Trophy and a world ranking
further whetted the appetites of the squad. The smart money
of third suggests bronze is on the agenda but the Dutch will
would seem to be on a final against the world’s number one side
be pushing for higher honours. The pool stage fixture against
Australia. Their squad has plenty of experience with ten gold
Germany could prove memorable. Taeke Taekema, top-scorer at
medal winners from Beijing. There are also two sets of brothers,
the 2010 World Cup and husband of Kate Walsh’s sister Rachel,
the Wess brothers (Timo and Ben) and the Zellers (Christopher
was left out of coach Paul van Ass’s squad.
and Philipp).
Korea
Belgium
The sixth-ranked team in the world were pushed hard in qualifying by
Next to South Africa, Belgium are the second-lowest ranked side
Ireland but a 3-2 win sealed their place in London, with the winning
in the tournament. In their last two Olympics (1976 and 2008)
goal coming nine seconds from the end of the match. A silver medal
they have finished in ninth place and 2012 could see a similar
at Sydney 2000 remains the Olympic highlight of a team for whom
performance. Victory over Spain in the 2011 EuroHockey Nations
consistency has been key since the mid-1990s. Could spring a
Championship will provide some inspiration for the young side
surprise but likely to be in the play-off for fifth/sixth place.
but, once again, progress through the pool seems unlikely.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 39
Stats
Entertainment
We all know that Great Britain’s men took gold in 1988, while
Barcelona saw the women claim bronze, but how do they both stack
up statswise against their Olympic opponents? We had a rummage
around in the archives to find out…
Great Britain men
HIghs and lows
Biggest Victories
GB men v...
Biggest Win
11-0 win v USA, 5 August 1948
Argentina
5-2 (June 1988)
2-7 (July 2004)
(second match of the Olympic
Australia
2-0 (October 1967)
0-7 (October 1964)
Belgium
6-2 (July 2003)
Germany
4-2 (April 1956)
India
3-0 (September 1988)
0-7 (December 1963)
Korea
8-0 (October 1990)
1-5 (November 2003
Games)
11-0 win v Mexico, 1 March 2008
(Olympic qualifying tournament for
2008 Olympic Games)
Biggest Defeats
1-8 loss v Pakistan, 18 September
2000
(Sydney Olympic Games Pool Phase)
1-8 loss v Spain, 6 December 2011
(Champions Trophy Pool Phase)
Biggest Defeat
1-4 (October 1959)
1-6 (August 2000)
Netherlands
3-0 (August 2000)
0-5 (November 1990)
New Zealand
6-2 (January 2000)
2-4 (November 2003)
Pakistan
4-1 (December 2007)
1-8 (September 2000)
South Africa
6-0 (March 2004)
3-5 (February 2012)
Spain
5-1 (June 1987)
1-8 (December 2011)
GREAT BRITAIN MEN’S RECORD v OLYMPIC OPPONENTS*
Pool A
Opposition
Australia
Played
47
Won
Drawn
5
13
Lost
Goals For
29
53
Goals Against
116
Spain
38
9
12
17
65
88
Pakistan
48
13
7
28
76
126
Argentina
21
9
5
7
43
38
9
4
4
1
23
13
Germany
49
5
9
35
62
123
Netherlands
47
13
6
28
73
106
Korea
18
4
5
9
39
41
New Zealand
23
15
4
4
62
38
India
44
14
4
26
57
105
Belgium
31
18
3
10
63
42
South Africa
Pool B
* figures correct at 13 July 2012
40 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Great Britain in action against Spain
Great Britain women
Biggest Victory
HIghs and lows
11-0 win v Italy, 27 July 1988
(Four Nations in preparation for the
GB women v...
Biggest Win
1988 Olympic Games)
Argentina
5-0 (July 1996)
Australia
3-1 Belgium
5-2 Biggest Defeat
0-6 loss to Netherlands, 10
November 1985
(Test series)
Biggest Defeat
1-5 (December 2009)
(May 2000)
0-5 (February 2008)
(May 1978)
N/A
China
4-1 (March 2000)
1-3 (April 2010)
Germany
4-1 (October 2003
1-4 (October 2003)
& June 2008)
1-5 (August 2008)
Japan
8-0 (September 1978)
0-2 (October 2003)
Korea
4-1 (February 2012)
0-5
(July 1996)
Netherlands
3-1
(April 1981)
0-6 (November 1985)
New Zealand
5-0
(June 1987)
1-2 (September 1979)
4-1 (January 2000)
7-0 (April 1992)
South Africa
USA
1-3 (February 2004,
January 2007, June 2012)
0-3 (January 1995)
GREAT BRITAIN woMEN’S RECORD v OLYMPIC OPPONENTS*
Pool A
Opposition
Netherlands
Played
Won
36
Drawn
7
Lost
9
Goals For
20
37
Goals Against
82
China
8
5
1
2
14
7
Korea
23
9
3
11
38
49
Japan
7
5
0
2
20
8
Belgium
1
1
0
0
5
2
Argentina
26
8
5
13
38
42
Germany
32
13
2
17
49
57
New Zealand
14
9
1
4
28
14
Australia
36
4
2
30
30
86
USA
32
22
4
6
78
33
South Africa
12
8
1
3
25
19
Pool B
* figures correct at 13 July 2012
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 41
BLUFFERS
GUIDE
Jargon Busters
No offside!
There is no offside
GB men make up to 60
substitutions in a match
rule in the game of
hockey.
Field Goal
Penalty stroke
A field goal is a goal scored from open
A free shot by an attacker against a
Free Hit
play from within the ‘shooting circle’. If
goalkeeper taken from the penalty spot.
For general offences, a free hit is given
an attacker hits the ball from outside the
Awarded for a deliberate offence by a
against the team which committed the
‘shooting circle’ and it goes directly into
defender in the circle or an offence that
foul. Common fouls are obstructing an
the goal or is only touched by a defender
prevents the scoring of a goal.
opponent from playing the ball, interfering
on the way, it does not count as a goal.
23m line
with the stick or body when tackling,
kicking the ball and playing the ball
Penalty corner
A line across the pitch 23 (well, 22.9 to
dangerously. Play is re-started by a player
A set play awarded to the attacking team
be precise)metres in from the back line.
from the non-offending team taking a
following a foul by the defending team
It signifies the defending quarter of a
self-pass or passing to a teammate.
in their circle. Involves attacking player
team and is the area in which deliberate
pushing the ball out from the back line to
offences may be punished by a penalty.
Circle or ‘D’
teammates at the top of the circle for a
The semi-circle around in front of the
shot at goal.
Rolling Substitution
goal. A goal can only be scored from
The match is not stopped for
Self pass
substitutions in hockey. Players hold up
A player taking a free hit or hit from
boards with the number of the player
Kicking-back
the sideline is allowed to play the ball
they are replacing and that player runs
A field player with goalkeeping
themselves again to encourage free-
off the pitch at the half-way line to be
privileges, used when the goalkeeper
flowing hockey. Effectively they are
replaced by the substitute.
is replaced by a field player to provide a
passing to themselves.
within the circle.
Aerial
team with more attacking options. They
wear a coloured bib and can use their
Reverse stick
A pass propelled through the air using a
feet or hands in the defending circle but
The skill of turning around the stick to
scooping or flicking motion. Some players
may also play as a field player outside
propel the ball to the right. Remember,
can ‘aerial’ the ball almost the length of
the circle.
you cannot use the right side of the stick.
the field.
Ball in the Air
Stick skills
In general play the ball must not be raised into the air when
Hockey players must be able to
hit. It can though be raised by using a scooping or flicking
control, pass, push, stop, flick and hit
action. However, a player will be penalised if they lift the ball
the ball with a hockey stick. Keeping
in a way which is dangerous to another player. When the ball
the ball under close control is called
is in the air a player must not play it if it is above shoulder
dribbling or ‘ball carrying’. The head
height. A defender (including the goalkeeper) can however
of a hockey stick has a rounded side
use their stick at any height to save a shot at goal – because
(the right side) and a flat side (the
attackers are allowed the raise the ball in the shooting
left side). It is only the flat, left-hand
circle. Many shots are raised in one way or another because
side of the stick and the edges of
this is an effective way of scoring goals.
that side which can be used.
42 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
No feet!
Field players are not
allowed to use their feet
to control the ball. Only
the goalkeeper may use
their hands and feet to
stop or propel the ball
when defending in his or
her own circle.
te half time break. Where extra
a ten-minu
Time | Matches last 70 minutes, played as two periods of 35 minutes with
time is required, two periods of seven and a half minutes are played.
v
Umpires
A match is controlled by two umpires. Each
umpire controls half of the pitch and works
cooperatively in the middle part of the pitch.
Punishments
For bad or repeated offences by players, an
umpire can show them a card. A green card is
a warning and a two minute suspension from
the match. A yellow card means the player
is suspended from the game for a minimum
of 5 minutes or the time the umpire decides
depending on the nature of the offence. A red
card is for a very serious offence and means
Scoring a
goal
themselves behind the back-line
the player is suspended for the remainder
to defend, usually inside the goal.
of the match. If a player is suspended
A goal is scored in one of three ways:
The rest must stay behind the half
temporarily or permanently, their team plays
field goals, penalty corners and
way line until the ‘push out’ is taken.
with fewer players.
penalty strokes.
The ball is ‘pushed out’ to one of
the attackers. Before a shot can
Watch out for a defender being sent to the half
Field Goals
be taken, the ball must first travel
way line if they step over the back line before
A field goal is a goal scored from
outside the circle. The attacker
a penalty corner is taken. If this happens, the
open, continuous play. Field goals
receiving the ball then usually
defending team has to defend with four players.
may only be taken from within the
pushes it back into the circle for a
‘shooting circle’, a semi-circular
shot either by themself or another
area in front of the opponent’s goal.
attacker.
If an attacker hits the ball from
If the first shot is a hit (as opposed
the video referral system
• If the Match Umpire is unsure of a decision
outside the ‘shooting circle’ and it
to other types of shots, like a ‘flick’
leading to the awarding (or non-awarding)
goes directly into the goal or is only
or a ‘scoop’), the ball must enter the
of a goal he/she can ask the Video Umpire
touched by a defender on the way, it
goal no higher than the height of
to look at the video evidence and offer
does not count as a goal.
the board at the back of the goal
(460mm). If the first shot is a ‘scoop’
advice.
• Similarly if a player thinks the wrong
Penalty Corners
or a ‘flick’ then the ball can cross the
decision was made by the Match Umpire,
Teams are awarded a ‘penalty corner’
goal-line at any height.
they can ask the Match Umpire to get the
decision reviewed by the Video Umpire
for an offence by the defending
team inside its own ‘shooting circle’,
Penalty Strokes
or when a defender is guilty of a
A penalty stroke is a shot taken
form a ‘T’ with their arms while the Match
particularly bad foul in the defending
from the penalty spot inside the
Umpire do their best charades impression
quarter of the field.
shooting circle. Similar to football,
• In order to ask for the referral the players
and mime a TV screen!
a penalty stroke shot is taken by
• Both sides are allowed one referral per
stopped to allow the teams to take
one player and defended only by
match and they can only ask regarding
their positions. One attacker stands
the goalkeeper. A penalty stroke
decisions made within the 23 metre area
with the ball on the back-line. This
may be awarded for a number of
relating to the award (or non-award) of
player will ‘push out’ the ball to other
reasons, the most common being an
attackers waiting at the top of the
offence by a defender in the circle
shooting circle. Up to five defenders
that prevented a goal or a deliberate
the replays are inconclusive, the original
(including the goalkeeper) position
offence by a defender in the circle.
decision made by the Match Umpire stands.
For a penalty corner, play is
goals, penalty strokes and penalty corners.
• If the Video Umpire is unable to help, or if
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 43
Want to play or watch hockey? Whatever your age or
ability, you can find all the best hockey experiences
near you at www.hockeynation.info
By calling
the Hockey
Hotline on
0845 340
4000
Our dedicated team can help you find the
perfect Give it a Go session. Just give the
Hockey Hotline a call on 0845 340 4000,
To coincide with the London 2012 Olympic
Games, we’re offering the Great British public the
opportunity to give hockey a go at more than 500
venues across the country, including hockey clubs
and leisure centres.
Running from Friday 27 July until Sunday 2
September, there are hundreds of sessions to
choose from, many of them at little or no charge.
Whether you’re looking for a session for adult
beginners or something for the kids to do in the
summer holidays Give it a Go has it covered. If you’ve
never played hockey or if you’re considering a return
to the sport, there’s never been a better time to get
involved and be part of the Hockey Nation.
You can also get involved by gathering a group of
friends together and popping into your local Hockey
House to watch Great Britain in action throughout
the Olympic Games.
So, how do you find
your nearest Give it a
Go session...?
44 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
tell them what you’re looking for and
they’ll do the rest.
The Hockey Hotline runs from 8am8pm every day during the Olympic
Games.
Online at
www.hockeynation.info
Visit the dedicated search site
at www.hockeynation.info
Put in your preferences – your age,
gender, where you live and what
you’d like to do – to play hockey or
to watch it
Review the results or tailor
your search
Choose your Give it a Go venue
to find out more info. Contact
the organiser, save your search
or print it.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 45
Open Days Galore
Useful
Websites
18-19 August 2012 - Join in Local Sport
www.joininuk.org
Great Britain Hockey
Get down to your local sports club for the Join In Weekend and turn your hand to
www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
hockey. Join In is for everyone! Clubs are hosting special activities for all ages and
International Hockey Federation
levels — it’s all about having fun and joining in. Visit www.joininuk.org to find your
www.fihockey.org
local sports club and details of what’s going on where.
Hockey Nation ‘Give it a go’ activity
finder
www.hockeynation.info (or call
the Hockey Hotline 0845 340 4000)
Team GB
www.teamgb.com
London 2012
www.london2012.com
National Hockey Museum & Archives
If you’re
keen enough,
you’re old
enough!
www.hockeyarchives.co.uk
Support
Great Britain
Harvester
Club Weekend
is the perfect
introduction to
hockey
Follow Great Britain Hockey on
Twitter, Facebook and online
Twitter: @GBHockey2012 1-2 September 2012
Facebook: Official Great Britain
Harvester National Club Weekend
Hockey
www.hockeynation.info
www.greatbritainhockey.com An annual date for the diary, Harvester
Youtube.com/EnglandHockeyTV
National Club Weekend sees hundreds
Facebook and online
of hockey clubs throw open their doors
Twitter: @TeamGB to new members, volunteers, coaches,
Facebook: Team GB
officials and supporters. You’ll get the
www.teamgb.com chance to play some hockey, meet great
Youtube.com/TeamGBtv
people and enjoy a fun-filled day of
Most of the GB hockey athletes
hockey. Visit www.hockeynation.info for
are active on social media. See
details of your nearest hockey club.
their player profiles for how to
follow them.
DON’T MISS A MINUTE – BRING
FRIENDS TOGETHER AT A
HOCKEY HOUSE
International Hockey House
Can’t get to the Olympic hockey stadium during Games time?
Join us for all the live hockey
Don’t worry! Great Britain Hockey is creating 35 GB ‘Hockey
action at International Hockey
HOCKEY –
Houses’ around the country where our fans can congregate
House, Grange St Paul’s hotel
SIGN UP AT:
to watch the GB men & women compete in the Olympics.
during the Olympic Games. Open
Each Hockey House will be decorated with a real British
GET OLYMPIC
NEWS FROM GB
www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
from 8am-3am everyday you will
feel, giving the nation the opportunity to support our teams
enjoy continuous Olympic coverage
with a crowd of likeminded supporters, and EVERY match
shown on 16 screens, special meal
involving Great Britain will be shown LIVE.
deals, free wifi, a daily draw to win amazing
To find your nearest hockey house check out
prizes and the chance to meet past and present
www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/hockeyhouses
stars of the hockey world.
46 | HOCKEY 2012 | www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk
Want to play or watch hockey?
Whatever your age or ability,
you can find all the best hockey
experiences near you at www.hockeynation.info
TEL: 0845 340 4000
ARE YOu
WEARING RED?
We want people to get
behind GB during the Olympics
by wearing red shirts, jumpers,
trousers… even pants if you like!
Help us make the Riverbank
Arena a sea of GB.
www.hockeynation.info | OLYMPIC GUIDE | 47
Want to play or watch hockey?
Whatever your age or ability,
you can find all the best hockey
experiences near you at www.hockeynation.info
TEL: 0845 340 4000