Selected for England's hockey squad... age 80!

Tuesday 29 March 2022

An octogenarian islander has been selected to play hockey for England.

Tim Pollard will be joining the England Men's Over-80s squad.

The team's first international match since the pandemic began will be held at Bisham Abbey against Holland on 27 and 28 April.

The Vintage Grand Masters has only recently been extended to over-80s - previously,  Grand Masters and Vintage Grand Masters, both LX and International, only stretched to Over 75s.

Masters Hockey is a format where players play in age group sides from over 35s right through to over-80s.

Warming him up ahead of his international game with the England squad, Tim will be taking part in in a tournament between 8 and 10 April.

Entitled 'Aspirants and Ancients' and taking place at Wellingborough near Kettering, the tournament will pit those aged 75 against the 80-plus 'Ancients'.

Tim be playing for the 'Ancients'.

Around a dozen sides will be taking part in what will be the seventh edition of this seven-a-side tournament, including Ladies' teams with players aged 55-plus.

Jersey Hockey were delighted to share the "good news" about the sport's "most famous octogenarian" locally, and wished him luck.

"If ever we needed more proof that hockey can be played at all ages, here we have it!" they added.

Pictured top: Tim holding the European Cup won in 2017.