Former Range High student named in Team GB's men's hockey squad for 2016 Olympics

Photo from @HoareMikey via Twitter

Former Range High School student Michael Hoare will be going to Rio this summer - after being named in Team GB’s men’s hockey squad for the 2016 Olympics.

30 year old Michael, who plays for Wimbledon, started his career at Formby and was part of England’s bronze medal winning Commonwealth Games squad in 2014.

He boasts 28 Team GB caps. Sadly he missed out on the 2012 games because of trying to juggle a career as a PE Teacher with trips down south for squad training sessions.

He made his debut four months after the Olympics and has quickly made a reputation for himself as a key tackler in defence with the ability to carry the ball smoothly out of defence.

Earlier today he tweeted about the selection and thanked everyone who has helped him achieve his lifelong dream :

Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: “I’m very proud to be able to welcome hockey players from both the men’s and women’s squads to Team GB today.

“In both of these sides there is a blend of Olympic experience and Olympic debutants who have come through in the last four years and who have shown they can compete at the very highest level.

“It’s great to qualify athletes in the team sports, and a tremendous spirit exists across hockey, which has developed and grown during this four year cycle. I’m sure this will stand them in good stead this summer and I’m confident that on their day they can match any team in the world.”

Sally Munday, Chief Operating Officer for Great Britain Hockey said: “I would like to congratulate all of our athletes who are on their way to Rio for this summer’s Olympic Games. Our central programme is exceptionally competitive and I know how hard they have all worked to be selected.

“Their ambitions certainly do not end here, and I would like to wish them the very best of luck this summer. I would also like to record my thanks to those who narrowly missed out - as a team sport building team unity while vying for selection is a challenge and the professionalism of all the players in the GB programme is exceptional.”