Such sets sights on joining women’s Under-16 GB squad

Denzil Pinto 13:02 23/07/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ambitious: Ameliah Such.

    It will be a busy and important summer for budding ice-hockey player Ameliah Such, who will be hoping to make the women’s Under-16 Great Britain (GB) squad.

    On top of that, the 14-year-old will also represent the England Under-16 team in their Finland training camp for the second successive year. For some players, it can take many years to be involved in the national set-up but Such has taken just four since taking up the sport as a 10-year-old.

    Having been noticed by UK-based coaches for her potential, she is extremely proud to be attending the camp and trial and the Dubai British School pupil has made it no secret what her big aim is.

    “I want to captain Great Britain in the 2022 Winter Olympics and lead them to the gold medal,” said Such, who left Dubai for the trial and camp on Tuesday. “It would mean a lot to me to represent Great Britain on the international stage.”

    Knowing it will require a lot hard work to reach that level, Such hopes she can impress the coaches in her GB trial in Dumfries, Scotland on August 1, to make that dream a reality.

    “I’m really looking forward to it,” said Such, who was the youngster member of the England Under-16 squad last year. “I will be quite nervous but also very excited. The GB trial is definitely the most important for me and I’ve been working very hard.”

    “I’ve been given a training programme and I’ve been sticking to it to make sure I’m in the best possible shape.”

    Such, who also enjoys snowboarding, acknowledges the England camp, involving matches and training, and begins later this month, will be hugely important for preparing for the GB trial.

    – Tour de France: German Simon Geschke wins 17th stage
    – VIDEO: Dubai Sports World opens its gates  for the summer
    – DSW: Al Sahlawi encourages Emirati women to participate

    Reflecting on last year’s stint with England where she played against local Finnish teams, she said: “It was certainly the best thing in the world lining up for England last year and it was the best feeling especially when we sang our national anthem. I can’t wait to go back again.

    “I learnt a lot from just being with the England team last year. Not only learning how to improve individually, but also as a team player. I also got to learn positional play through training sessions and matches and what is needed to succeed and this will form a big part for the GB trial.

    Having started in the UK, she continued with the sport after moving to Dubai in March. And the Under-15 Bantams player, whose side competes in the Dubai Sandstorms league, insists there’s plenty of positives by playing in this country.

    “The UAE is very multicultural so I get the opportunity of playing against Canadians, Americans and Russians. In their countries the sport is very big, so I’m improving my knowledge of the game as well as my skill abilities.”

    A high-flyer in school, Such would like to become a lawyer but has set her sights on playing the game in Canada.

    “When I finish school I want to play ice hockey in Canada as they love their sport and with it being their national sport it will be a great experience.”

    Recommended