So has fatherhood changed your attitude to life? It does change your perspective. I feel I’ve always had a decent amount of perspective generally but a child changes everything as I’m sure all parents will tell you. The first few months were certainly tough, fitting in all the training and playing as well. But it’s been brilliant and I’m enjoying being a dad very very much.
You moved clubs to Wimbledon, from Surbiton, this season. How are things going down there and have you played much club hockey recently? I missed the first few club matches because of the Commonwealth Games but I played the rest of the first half of the season, and I am really enjoying it. Ben Marsden (Beijing Olympian) is their director of coaching, in his third season now. Ben Hawes is there too who I have lived with before and plays in this team [GB/England]. So there are a few
people there I know well, as well as a few ex club team-mates I know from around the circuit. It is a good bunch of guys down there.
Has there been an issue with you not playing in the premier division? (Wimbledon are in the men’s conference east, one step below the top level.) No there hasn’t and for a combination of reasons really. I obviously spoke to Jason [Lee the England/GB men’s coach] before making the move to find out what his thoughts were on it. I think the conclusion was that because I am quite an experienced player I should be able to maintain my standards anyway. I also believe the standard of training at Wimbledon is high because there are so many good players there. Perhaps they aren’t all right at their pinnacle but they have played to a high standard. So the training is very good.
Looking ahead to a busy international summer. Are you looking forward to returning to the Europeans as defending champions? Defending champions – that’s certainly something we have never done before! There are certainly some exciting tournaments coming up – starting with this indoor World Cup, through the Europeans and another visit to India [for the Champions Trophy] later in the year – as well as various bits and bobs which, in their own right, are very exciting tournaments. But, again, it’s all with 2012 in mind now, becoming the best we can be for the Olympics.
What sticks do you use and why? I use the Gryphon Taboo Hansel. I’ve been with Gryphon from 2005. They have very high performing sticks that hit the ball very hard with good control – good all-round sticks. Gryphon have been a great company to be with so I’ve stayed with them ever since.
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