World Cup debut for Newbold

A MAN from Sonning Common has played in two matches so far in the Hockey World Cup.

Fred Newbold, 21, has been playing on the Welsh national team at the tournament in Odisha in India.

So far, Wales have lost two matches — 5-0 to England and 5-1 to Spain.

Yesterday (Thursday), Wales were due to play India.

Newbold, who reads Biology at Queen’s College, Oxford University, was informed he had made the team last month after a rigorous selection process.

He said: “We were training as a big squad of about 33 people. After last summer, where we played in a couple of camps, we were narrowed down to a team of 26 people in November. Then 24 were picked to go to Spain in December for a tournament against six other teams. From that tournament, 18 people ended up being picked for the World Cup.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be selected. I felt I deserved it, but I didn’t know. There are a lot of very experienced players on the team and I am one of the younger ones. Seeing my name on the team sheet was absolutely unbelievable. It is hard to describe. My father and grandfather were really happy for me.”

The matches are televised on BT Sport.