HOLSWORTHY Community College student, Amy Gear, has just missed out on selection for the England under 17 hockey squad.

The goalkeeper who only took up the sport three years ago, found out about the news via Facebook with her teacher, Helen Bottrell, but is already looking forward to going one step further in 12 months time.

Amy said: “In some ways it is good that I did not get through this year as I would have had to miss 15 days of school and the additional training would have made my GCSE year really tough. When I finish school I plan to go to Exeter University to study sports rehabilitation physiotherapy after I have taken my A levels in geography, biology, English language and sports science at Exeter College.”

It’s been a meteoric rise for Amy, as she’s gone up the hockey ladder.

In June after attending a competition in Bristol representing Cornwall, she was picked as one of only four goalkeepers from eight counties to go forward to the Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPC).

Based at Exeter University, Amy (above) went through six, six-hour training and assessment days which were run by the EHB,, and was fortunate enough to be picked for the regional squad, Exeter Leopards.

This involved two Sunday tournaments at Clifton College in Bristol on Sunday, September 18 and Sunday, September 25 where she played against Haselmere and Bristol.

Amy said: “We played really well and bonded as a team, despite it being an individual selection process. We won three matches and drew one, bringing us to the top for the first time in over three years!

“However it’s not about the winning as the tier 1 cluster competitions are for the England assessors and selectors to decide on who goes through to the next level, HiPac or Futures Cup.

“It was a great learning experience as the level of hockey was extremely high from all teams. There were definitely a few players there who l expect to see playing for GB in the coming years.”

Despite the slight setback, she will continue to play for Taw Valley alongside her coaching in Bude as well as undertaking additional training with JAC (Junior Academy Centre), and the Devon U18s.with the aim of being selected again for the JRPC (Junior Regional Performance Centre).

If she does manage to get through her England under18 trials next year, then it will open up doors to play both nationally and internationally.