Lily's GB Underwater Hockey Malaysia Worlds Fund

Underwater Hockey...

I love this crazy sport! It is my passion. Being selected to represent Great Britain in the U19 squad in Malaysia this July is my absolute dream and being chosen to be the captain really is the perfect finishing touch.

I have been playing underwater hockey since I was 7 when my mum found an advert for a sport called 'octopush' and thought it sounded like my sort of thing. In swimming lessons, I had scared my instructors and the lifeguards with my breath hold so underwater hockey sounded like the perfect thing for me! Even back then I knew that it would be an obsession but I had no idea that it would end up taking me all around the country and now the world.

Since that time, I have been lucky enough to train with some amazing individuals who have supported me along the way in South West Ladies and both the junior and adult Team South West clubs. These players and coaches have inspired me and helped me to grow into the player that I am today. I have had amazing times at local, regional and national tournaments with two opportunities to play outside of the country, once in France and once at Ladies Euroclubs in Berlin against the best female clubs in Europe.

The GB journey has been a long one. It has been my dream, my 'North Star', since I planned how to reach this goal in Year 4 at Hazeldown Primary School. The trialist program has lasted over two and half years. It has seen me travel to Leeds over 15 times (with over 12 hours of travel for each camp), play in numerous tournaments and train religiously for hours and hours each week both in and out of the water.

Sadly, underwater hockey is such a niche sport that no funding exists to support GB athletes. All of the training, equipment, travel and tournament fees have to be met by individuals. Representing GB is going to cost me £3000! I have managed to save just over £1000 through fundraising activities and from saving my earnings from last summer. If you are able to support me in any way with just a

few pounds I would be extremely grateful! Every pound helps to get me closer to my dream...

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you to all of you who have supported and guided me through this whole process. I really do truly appreciate it.

Love Lily-Mae (GB U19 Captain!!!!)