Perse hockey player scores for England at major tournament
Thomas (Year 11) experienced the thrill of representing his country after playing for England boys’ U16 hockey team this summer.
He helped England finish fifth at the Rabo 8-Nations – a competition featuring youth sides from Europe’s top hockey-playing countries – in the Netherlands.
However, Thomas enjoyed personal success, scoring a goal and claiming a player of the match award during the tournament.
Having been named in the national squad last November after a series of trials, he had been training regularly with his team-mates in the run-up to the event.
Thomas, who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward, said: “In the two weeks prior to the competition, we travelled to Belgium to play three training matches against Germany and Belgium. We also played two training matches against Scotland to prepare us for the 8-Nations.
“Over the course of the year however, we had 10 or so training camps where we worked on our tactics, one v one defending and goalscoring primarily.”
England endured a baptism of fire in their opening 8-Nations group game, losing 8-1 to eventual champions Germany.
Thomas, who also plays National League hockey for Cambridge City men’s 1st XI, said: “It was very tough. They were very strong, fast and tactically smart, as we knew they would be having played them three times previously this cycle.”
The team bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Ireland before facing hosts the Netherlands in a highly anticipated last pool match in front of a big crowd to decide who would go through to the semi-finals.
They had a mountain to climb after being 3-0 down at half time, but although Thomas helped the comeback with a goal, it was not enough in a 3-2 defeat.
In the positional play-offs, England went on to beat Scotland 2-1, with Thomas named player of the match, and Poland 6-1 to secure fifth place.
Despite feeling the team could have finished higher in the standings, Thomas was delighted to have played his part.
He said: “As expected, the level was extremely high and playing against teams such as Germany and the. Netherlands was a great experience.
“Overall, it was amazing. It was a lot of hard work but so rewarding to play for your country in national matches.
“I learned so much working under the England coaches about tactics and also how to play personally when it comes to very high-level hockey.”
Thomas will discover next month whether his performances have put him in the frame for a trial for the England U18 squad.