Wish them luck. These members of Surbiton Hockey Club, pictured, along with four other teammates, arrived in Paris yesterday (Thursday) to compete in the Olympic Games.

The group caught the Eurostar with other members of the GB squad, and are now settling in to the Olympic Village, preparing for their first matches (GB Men on Sat, July 27, and the GB Women on Sun, July 28) both against Spain.

Dave Goodfield, 31, the captain of Surbiton’s men’s 1st team, is making his debut at the games.

“I’m incredibly excited; I’m really proud of getting to this point, my first Olympic games,” he said. “I’ve wanted to go ever since I first started to play hockey when I was around 10.”

Giselle Ansley, 32, has represented her country in Rio (winning gold) and Tokyo (winning bronze) and is making her third, and final, appearance.

She said: “I would never be where I am now if it wasn’t for the support of this club and the opportunity to train and play here in the ladies first team.”

Andy Powdrell, president of the hockey club off Sugden Road, Long Ditton, said: “It is unbelievable what we do here; the fact that we have brought so many players up through the club. Success attracts success. The talent is unbelievable.”

Pictured from left to right:

Conor Williamson (making Olympic debut)

Won a European silver medal in his first major tournament with England last summer, scoring an incredible goal in the semi-final shoot out victory. Played his junior hockey at Surbiton having debuted for the first team while still at school.

Nick Park (making Olympic debut)

Joined Surbiton in 2021 and won a European silver medal with England last summer. As well as being an incredible athlete Nick is one of the world’s best defenders at penalty corners where he runs out to block drag flicks travelling at over 100mph!

Giselle Ansley (Paris will be her third, and last, Olympics)

Olympic gold (2016) & bronze (2021) medallist, European champion (2015) and Commonwealth champion (2022). Has played at Surbiton since 2013 and also runs a successful baking business!

Dave Goodfield (making Olympic debut)

Commonwealth bronze and European silver medallist, Dave is also Surbiton’s Men’s 1^st captain. Known for his incredible stick skills and game understanding he has battled back from injury to be selected for this summer’s Olympics.

Izzy Petter (Paris will be her second Olympics)

Olympic bronze (2021) and Commonwealth gold (2022) medallist. Came through the junior ranks at Surbiton and made her Premier Division debut while still at school.

Gareth Furlong (making Olympic debut)

A key figure in the Wales Men’s team for almost 15 years, Gareth made his GB debut in June 2024 ahead of this summer’s Olympics. A specialist drag flicker, he has scored over 100 international goals and famously scored twice in the final to help Surbiton men to their national title in 2017.

Tim Nurse (travelling reserve, GB Men)

European silver medallist and a superb attacking half back who brings energy, speed, skills and leadership to every team he is part of. One of Surbiton’s most consistent performers over the last couple of seasons and has played an important role as part of GB’s team at the Olympic qualifier earlier this year.

Also from Surbiton in the GB team are Hannah French, Sophie Hamilton, Amy Costello and James Mazarelo (travelling reserve goal keeper)

Surbiton Hockey Club Olympians with club president Andy Powdrell, Elmbridge mayor Neil Houston and Dawn Crewe strategic director at Elmbridge Council