For Ameliah Such, her summer vacation is something she will not want to forget anytime soon. While children her own age were enjoying the sunny weather in the UAE, the 14-year-old Dubai British School pupil was practicing ice hockey in her bid to make the Great Britain U-16 squad in the UK.
Her hours of practice and preparation, including a five-hour drive for one of the trials, certainly paid off as she made the cut, beating more than 100 hopefuls.
The achievement is more remarkable given that Such just took up ice hockey four years ago and learnt of the news during her England U-16 camp in Finland.
“It really felt good to hear that I was selected because I can now represent Great Britain, and for me that is a great honour,” she said. “To be honest, I was quite nervous leading up to the decision but when my mum texted me to say I was in, I was over the moon.”
Competition was tough with trials held in three different locations across the UK. But it just took one trial for Such to impress the coaches in Dumfries.
“A lot of players attended the trials but this was my opportunity to shine. As well as a lot of ice skating techniques, I was tested on my speed work, controlling the puck whilst skating and playing one-onone games.
“I travelled for five hours for that trial and although it was a long day, it was well worth it.”
Her feat has been widely praised by her team-mates at the Midget team, which are part of the Dubai Sandstorms League, and has been moved up to the U-18 age group in preparation for the tough encounters she would face with GB.
She will get a first opportunity to see her new GB team-mates in November during their training camp. And she hopes that will be the start of something big.
“I want to represent Great Britain at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing,” she beamed. “It has given me a pathway to a sport which I now love and I am determined to give all my best to ensure that I can play at the Winter Olympics one day.
“Ever since I took up ice hockey, I’ve always wanted to represent my country. I’m now playing for England which is really great and I really cannot wait to play for GB.”
She added: “Now I want to train harder and this season is very important because it will help me develop my skills.”
It was no surprise that when Such returned to school earlier this month, news spread that a GB U-16 international was among their pupils.
And her efforts did not go unnoticed with the teachers. Emma Pennock, PE teacher at Dubai British School, said: “Milly is a determined young lady, talented across a host of sporting activities. We can not highlight enough how delighted the Dubai British School is with Milly’s amazing accomplishments.
“We pride ourselves on embracing and celebrating the many diverse talents of our students and Milly exemplifies the drive and dedication that we try to nurture.
“We look forward to hearing about her upcoming season and are sure she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
