By Lucas Ball
Holcombe Talent Academy captain Maddie Timmins wants her team to show what they can do in Nottingham at the Talent Academy Cup which starts tomorrow, Sunday 28 July.
Holcs will face four matches in as many days, starting with three Pool C clashes against Hampstead & Westminster, Yorkshire and then Beeston.
Timmins, selected by coach Tilly Tillings as captain for the event, spoke of her pride at being made captain and her hopes for the team ahead of an exciting run of matches.
She said: “I think everyone’s, of course, excited, looking forward to the four days now that it’s four instead of three.
“This season, we had a bit of a rocky start with our matches but I think as we progressed week on week, we’ve improved a lot so the atmosphere’s more positive and we’re looking to definitely go out and show what we can do to perform.
“It’s a massive honour, the group of girls are amazing and everyone’s so lovely. The fact that Tilly’s chosen me – I coudn’t believe it, I was very happy and excited.
“It’s so important, it’s a very important bit spending a lot of time together in Nottingham.
“It’s great fun, I’ve been training with a lot of these girls for almost two years, I’ve made really good friendships with some like-minded people and it’s great because we all have the same goal, we play and work hard for each other and then off the pitch, we get to socialise, hangout together in the evenings, eat together, play games – it’s lovely.”
The TA Cup sees high-quality young players from across the country come together for an exciting spectacle of hockey over four days in Nottingham, which also includes National Age Group Squads (NAGS) scouts watching throughout as players look to make the step up to junior international hockey.
Timmins added: “I think you’re aware of it in a good way, it’s in my mind but I use it positively.
“I’ll make sure I’m working hard, don’t give up, always trying, constantly watching the game and thinking ‘what can I do?’.
“I try not to think about it too much but also thinking about it a little is good – it gives you that competitive edge and makes you want it more, you’re more eager.”
Speaking on her TA experience as a whole, Timmins commented on her long-term development and the quality of coaching, while also offering some advice for any new players coming into the Talent Academy process.
“I think the Talent Academy experience as a whole has aided my development a lot.
“My confidence has definitely grown, leadership skills too in being named captain which was a proud moment.
“Even socially, too, you’re meeting new people, playing with them and they’re not necessarily always people you mix with outside of hockey. It’s great.
“It’s been very inspirational working with those coaches.
I look up to Tilly a lot, she’s an amazing coach.
“The stuff that Brad’s taught us, too, have been amazing – his technique, the things he comes up with, his game plans.
“Give it your best go and you’ll be absolutely fine!
“The group of girls and coaches are great and I think as long as you try your hardest, you should be absolutely fine!”
Holcombe’s Cup campaign starts at 11am tomorrow.
Fixtures:
Sunday, 28 July (11am) – Hampstead & Westminster
Monday, 29 July (10am) – Yorkshire
Tuesday, 30 July (10am) – Beeston
Full squad:
KENDRA LONG (GK)
GEORGIA BINFIELD (GK)
SOFIE GOODE
MARTHA LANE
JESSIE THOMPSON
OLIVIA WRIGHT
FREYA PADFIELD
ANNA MAKIN
MADDIE TIMMINS (C)
GRACE ELLIS
AOIFE BOYD
GEORGINA DAVIS
FLO WOOD
VICTORIA STORRIE
ETIENNE BUNKER
CHLOE WILLIAMS
TILLY SMITH
MOLLY KERSHAW
IMOGEN HODGES