I caught up with Canterbury and Wales hockey star Huw Stevens for a chance to get an insight into life at the highest level of the sport. We had a chat about his experiences in the game.
Huw, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Huw Stevens i am 20 years old born in Pontypridd south Wales. I am at Canterbury Christ Church University studying Primary Education. The university team play in a BUCS league which is not the highest league but for the size of university we are, it's not too bad. We finished 2nd in the league which was a disappointment considering we only lost one game.
How was the season for Canterbury HC?
I have had an extremely successful season finishing 2nd in the South East Conference and reaching the semi final of the HA Cup. This was the first season that Canterbury have been outside the Premier division since I have been at the club and the team did have many successes over that time. However the past 5 seasons have been a real struggle to avoid relegation but now making the step down a league we were far more competitive and eventually were unlucky not to win the league missing out on the final day - this was the only real low point of an otherwise good season.
The high of the season was our quarter final cup win against Bowden away winning with a golden goal. I played every game at inside left playing every minute of every game bar 20 here and there; this was by far my most involved season in the team and started the season off very strongly only to taper away slightly in the second half of the season.
How do you keep fit for the team, and what is the team atmosphere like within the club?
There are many things that need to be done to maintain the levels of fitness and skill to make sure that you stay at the highest level. Diet is one of the most common aspects that is talked about but in truth this is something I have not ever stuck religiously too. The only exception to this would be the pre-match foods such as carbohydrates the night before and not eating within three hours, things like that.
When I was training for Wales I would be running every other day and doing weights. Throughout the season I would be training three times a week not including running and weights. Our team at Canterbury is a very well-nit unit with all players getting on in and out of the changing room. This is something that everyone says, but for our team this is one of the keys to our improved performance.
What about your history in general, playing hockey for Canterbury and Wales?
I have been playing hockey at Canterbury since I was 12 moving up through the junior teams and then in to the men's 3rd team then the 2nd team and around 5/6 years ago making my debut for the 1st team. My various achievements include winning the U18 national championships with Canterbury. But by far the greatest achievement of my career so far was getting my 8 caps for the Wales senior team. I had previously played for the U16 and U18 sides but 2 years ago made the Senior squad for 4 friendlies and then going to the European B Division tournament in Lisbon.
Could you describe some of your best memories from hockey matches down the years?
One of my favourite moments was winning the U18 national title with Canterbury at home (polo farm) the finals weekend were held at polo which made the weekend very special. The other greatest moment of my playing career was the first time I lined up for Wales senior team, and in my second game scoring a goal.
One of my greatest goals came when I was playing for South East U15 in the national tournament when I ran from my own 'D' and scored at the other end. Also scoring against Reading past [GB legend] Simon Mason was a good moment. There have been many goals and moments that stand out but these just had that extra edge. My favourite opposition i have played has to be Reading when they fielded all their GB players, that was interesting!
Who are the best players you've lined up with, and against?
I have had the privilege of playing with many outstanding players who have, in many different ways, enhanced my career but the one player that stands out has to be a goalie Tom Sheridan who in one season single-handedly kept us in the Premier League - he marshalled the defence brilliantly and some of the saves [were spectacular].
Huw, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Huw Stevens i am 20 years old born in Pontypridd south Wales. I am at Canterbury Christ Church University studying Primary Education. The university team play in a BUCS league which is not the highest league but for the size of university we are, it's not too bad. We finished 2nd in the league which was a disappointment considering we only lost one game.
How was the season for Canterbury HC?
I have had an extremely successful season finishing 2nd in the South East Conference and reaching the semi final of the HA Cup. This was the first season that Canterbury have been outside the Premier division since I have been at the club and the team did have many successes over that time. However the past 5 seasons have been a real struggle to avoid relegation but now making the step down a league we were far more competitive and eventually were unlucky not to win the league missing out on the final day - this was the only real low point of an otherwise good season.
The high of the season was our quarter final cup win against Bowden away winning with a golden goal. I played every game at inside left playing every minute of every game bar 20 here and there; this was by far my most involved season in the team and started the season off very strongly only to taper away slightly in the second half of the season.
How do you keep fit for the team, and what is the team atmosphere like within the club?
There are many things that need to be done to maintain the levels of fitness and skill to make sure that you stay at the highest level. Diet is one of the most common aspects that is talked about but in truth this is something I have not ever stuck religiously too. The only exception to this would be the pre-match foods such as carbohydrates the night before and not eating within three hours, things like that.
When I was training for Wales I would be running every other day and doing weights. Throughout the season I would be training three times a week not including running and weights. Our team at Canterbury is a very well-nit unit with all players getting on in and out of the changing room. This is something that everyone says, but for our team this is one of the keys to our improved performance.
What about your history in general, playing hockey for Canterbury and Wales?
I have been playing hockey at Canterbury since I was 12 moving up through the junior teams and then in to the men's 3rd team then the 2nd team and around 5/6 years ago making my debut for the 1st team. My various achievements include winning the U18 national championships with Canterbury. But by far the greatest achievement of my career so far was getting my 8 caps for the Wales senior team. I had previously played for the U16 and U18 sides but 2 years ago made the Senior squad for 4 friendlies and then going to the European B Division tournament in Lisbon.
Could you describe some of your best memories from hockey matches down the years?
One of my favourite moments was winning the U18 national title with Canterbury at home (polo farm) the finals weekend were held at polo which made the weekend very special. The other greatest moment of my playing career was the first time I lined up for Wales senior team, and in my second game scoring a goal.
One of my greatest goals came when I was playing for South East U15 in the national tournament when I ran from my own 'D' and scored at the other end. Also scoring against Reading past [GB legend] Simon Mason was a good moment. There have been many goals and moments that stand out but these just had that extra edge. My favourite opposition i have played has to be Reading when they fielded all their GB players, that was interesting!
Who are the best players you've lined up with, and against?
I have had the privilege of playing with many outstanding players who have, in many different ways, enhanced my career but the one player that stands out has to be a goalie Tom Sheridan who in one season single-handedly kept us in the Premier League - he marshalled the defence brilliantly and some of the saves [were spectacular].
No comments:
Post a Comment