GB Hockey team train in Lympstone

THE last thing hockey players would expect to happen as part of a training exercise is being ambushed – by Royal Marines. But, for a talented group of young Great Britain stars, that is exactly what took place when they came to the Commando Training C

THE last thing hockey players would expect to happen as part of a training exercise is being ambushed - by Royal Marines.

But, for a talented group of young Great Britain stars, that is exactly what took place when they came to the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone this month.

The players, who have been hand-picked from hockey elite national performance centres to form part of the team, spent two days in the area carrying out a number of leadership tasks mainly on Woodbury common.

It is the second time the GB hockey team has chosen the centre to take part in training exercises.

The training was designed to emphasise the importance of leadership, teamwork and an opportunity for the squad to get together and train in a demanding environment.

Captain Erik Nielsen RM, the event organiser, said: "We have a very good relationship with GB Hockey and have delivered several leadership packages to the squad.

"The aim was to put them in positions of pressure, test their decision-making ability and maximise team cohesion.

"There is a definite shared common ethos between professional sports people and the training of Royal Marines.