It is a story that has been years in the making and started when The Hockey Museum began looking at how to collate accurate statistics for the sport. High up on the list was creating a definitive record of Great Britain international matches that would allow physical honours caps to be awarded and individual player numbers to be calculated.
Five years ago, the project began in earnest with a focus on Great Britain internationals. A dedicated team of volunteers came together and have put in an immense amount of work:
Steve Ellis, Sue Lane, Katie Dodd and Mike Smith have worked tirelessly at The Hockey Museum, with support from GB Hockey’s current and former Presidents Sheila Morrow and Richard Leman, as well as ex-GB internationals Simon Hazlitt and Rob Clift from the Hockey Internationals Club. Player representation on the project meetings came from Olympians Helen Richardson-Walsh and Simon Mantell.
As we launch the GB Caps programme today, we are now approaching 1,000 matches played by 581 Great Britain men and women, and the sport has an definitive record which is providing a lasting and proud legacy.
The project continues with a focus moving to home nation caps. In the meantime, there is ongoing work to organise the presentation of all the GB caps to past players. Current members of the Great Britain squad were presented their caps during the recent FIH Hockey Pro League matches in London.
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Current members of the Great Britain squad were presented their caps Images courtesy of GB Hockey. |
“I currently wear number 13, but I am merely looking after the number for the moment. 193 is my number and it always will be, which is incredibly special.“A huge, huge thank you for the work you have done.”— Ellie Rayer #193 |
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“It was a real privilege and honour to receive my cap and it is incredible to have a tangible representation of one of the proudest moments of my life.“I can’t even begin to imagine the work that has gone into making this project happen but I, the rest of the GB Men’s squad and I’m sure everybody capped by GB truly appreciate it. A massive thank you.”— Jack Waller #365 |
Great Britain Chief Operating Officer Nick Pink said:
“Everyone involved should be hugely proud of their efforts to bring this work together for the good of the sport.
“We are immensely grateful to The Hockey Museum and all the volunteers who have spent thousands of hours producing a high-quality historical record of all men and women who have represented GB alongside their individual player records.
“With the Tokyo Games almost upon us, this is a perfect time to be sharing this piece of work and congratulations to everyone who played a part.”
Mike Smith, Curator of The Hockey Museum said:
“We are very proud of what we’ve done, it’s been an amazing project all carried out by volunteers. We’ve created a legacy for our sport which previously did not exist.”
Watch behind-the-scenes footage as the GB squads receive their honours caps from current GB Hockey President Sheila Morrow and former President Richard Leman.
Curator, Mike Smith discusses the extensive statistical research project undertaken by volunteers at The Hockey Museum, which led to the awarding of honours caps and unique player numbers to the GB squads.
Former GB Players
If you are a former Great Britain player or know of one, and if you would like more information on caps or the Hockey Internationals Club, please email Sandy Revington.
