Hear the dragon’s call

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In some parts of the world, a few die-hard hockey players share their passion, even going so far as to create clubs and even national teams. From Africa to America, through Europe and Asia, focus on these little-known countries of underwater hockey. Ninth episode with Wales !

21 August 2021. For the first time in ten years, the Welsh national team takes part in a competition. With 66 goals scored and 2 conceded, Wales dominated the BOA Restart Tournament Division 4. A performance that did not come from nowhere.

Following several extremely competitive national championships, a group of players are planning to raise a long-sleeping dragon from the ashes. In November 2019, Welsh hockey players from seven different clubs got together to take part in a training session in Pontardawe, in the south of the country. ‘We wanted to do something that wasn’t just fun but something that would represent Wales well by building a stronger team than before‘, says Dan Johnson, captain of the squad.

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Only one player remains from the old national team, David Thompson. He played in the Home Nations, a tournament between Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man held in Sheffield. ‘I can’t remember the results but I know the games were very tough and we had some heavy defeats, especially against the likes of England and Scotland who made up the majority of the GB team at that time.’ Ten years later and as many national titles won with his club Pembroke, David is still here.

He brings his experience to a young squad that can progress in a better in better conditions than the former one. ‘Unfortunately under the previous squad we didn’t get the opportunity to train together before competing. By getting together it’s helping us jell and get to know how we all play.‘ He also credited the work of Dan Johnson, who set up regular training sessions every two months to allow the team to work and the collective to bond. ‘Without Dan’s patience and organisational skills, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Diolch yn fawr Dan !‘ (Translation – thank you very much Dan !)

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Pembroke, the heart of the Dragon

It is with a new-look squad that Wales are trying to emerge as a strong hockey nation within the UK. Their good performance at the Restart Tournament is just the beginning of their story. A new start that almost didn’t happen so soon. ‘Pembroke should have been in the tournament but they said we could take their place. We’re very grateful for that, without it we wouldn’t have had the momentum we have now« , says Dan.

There are now around 20 players fighting for a place in the Welsh squad. Among them are from seven to eight players from Pembroke, the defending national champions. ‘They form the backbone of the squad‘ adds Dan Johnson. Of these players, who finished fourth in the Nautilus Division 2, several have taken part in Great Britain team training camps, particularly at youth level. Nia Matthews, for example, took part in the last World Youth Championships with Team GB’s U24s, while Chloe Edwards represented the U19s. This suggests an interesting future for the Welsh national team if all these young players represent their country in addition to the British team.

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A Six Nations underwater hockey tournament ?

New kit for the national team, a willingness to train regularly, to compete in tournaments around the UK and even in Europe. Wales is going on another level. They are even considering bringing back the Home Nations under a different name : the Celtic Cup. « We want to play Ireland, Scotland, England […] have a real tournament of national teams like in rugby with the Six Nations‘ ,says Dan. A project that is beginning to become a reality with discussions already taking place between different British countries and which could happen in 2022.

In the meantime, the next goal for Wales is the 45th edition of the national championship which will take place on December 4th 2021 in Haverfordwest. Pembroke will be at home to try and retain their title. The results will of course be available on UWH News.