When Surbiton Hockey Club’s Hollie Webb steps out on pitch for Team GB at the Rio Olympics she will fulfil a 16-year dream that she never thought would happen.
The 25-year-old and clubmates Georgie Twigg and Giselle Ansley jetted off to Brazil on Wednesday - bumping into Usain Bolt at the airport - in preparation for the women’s Olympic hockey tournament which starts next month.
“It has always been the dream since I started playing hockey. I remember watching the Sydney Olympics and thinking this is amazing and that is what I want to do,” she said at Team GB’s hockey training base at Bisham Abbey last week.
“I’ve played all the age group stuff and was in the U21 team at London. I went to watch, but never really thought that in four years time it would be me.
“It hasn’t really sunk in and maybe after the Games I’ll really appreciate it. That is a good thing, because I’ve broken it down to just a hockey tournament.”
The GB squad were told of their selection via email with the chosen few listed in alphabetical order and Webb admitted she had to check twice to be convinced she was on the plane to South America.
She added: “I’m right at the bottom of the list. You see all the other names and I can remember seeing mine.
“I had to check, double check and then get someone else to check for me to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.”
Investec, the specialist bank and asset manager, supports women’s hockey from grassroots to national level. investec.co.uk, @Investec_Sport
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here