South Devon dominance in Team GB squad

There are not many sports where our beautiful corner of Britain can lay claim to elite dominance.

Step forward the wonderful sport of Underwater Hockey, and a Team GB squad jam-packed with South Devon talent.

First of all, a quick explanation: Underwater Hockey is also known as Octopush and a limited-contact sport with two teams of six players each attempting to manoeuvre the puck into the opposing team’s goal. The principles are the same as field hockey, or ice hockey, except it is all played underwater.

Players use a mini hockey stick (pusher), and they are not allowed to use any breathing apparatus, just a diving mask, fins and big lungs.    

The sport has grown massively from its beginnings in the UK in 1954 to now include World Championship events and even a push for inclusion in the Olympics, and the Team GB squad is a celebration of local talent.

There are a few top-level squads across the country, including Team South-West and Plymouth, both of whom have contributed a number of players for the 2024 Worlds to be held in Malaysia.

From the Team SW squad, we have Teignmouth’s Toby Curle, Willow Neighbour and Gorge Correy, plus Oliver Herdman from Dawlish, and Harriet Crawford and Henry Gilbert from Newton Abbot

And from Plymouth, U19 attacker Imogen Foale, defender Isla Crocker, Tyreese Norville, Jackson Spry and Amy Mears.

The Team SW players heading to Malaysia includes students from Torquay Boys Grammar School, Torquay Girls Grammar School, Teignmouth Community College and Trinity School, also in Teignmouth.