Ben Hawes, Lewes
Hockey
"You can never relax, never let your standards slip. There's no hiding place. I don't want any regrets that I didn't put everything into London 2012"
How did you get started?
Hawes began playing hockey at his local hockey club in Lewes, encouraged by his family. After leaving his home club, and following a three-year stint in the Dutch league – often sited as the most challenging in the world – Hawes returned to England and currently plays for Wimbledon.
With 125 England and 90 Great Britain appearances to his name, Ben – who turns 32 on the opening day of London 2012 – is one of the most experienced players in the current squad.
He competed in his second Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, where he captained the men's team to fifth in the tournament. Hawes was also a member of England men's hockey squad that won gold at the 2009 European Hockey Championships.
He returns to the GB squad for his third Olympic Games after successful reconstructive ankle surgery in 2011. Ben joins four members of Sussex's dominant East Grinstead Hockey Club squad in TeamGB for 2012: Ashley Jackson, Glenn Kirkham, Barry Middleton and Iain Lewers.
Greatest achievements
Olympic Games 2008 – captained GB to fifth place
EuroHockey Nations Championship Bronze (2003, Barcelona)
EuroHockey Nations Championship Gold (2009, Amsterdam)
Prospects for 2012
GB hockey have yet to reclaim the glory days of their gold medal at the 1988 Olympics. But with home advantage, Ben and the team can look to better their fifth place finish in Beijing. Men's hockey group matches run from 30 July to 7 August. TeamGB's first Group A match is against Argentina on 30 July. Semis and final take place 9-11 August.
http://www.london2012.com/hockey/event/men/
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