Whalley keeps national job

ANDY WHALLEY has been named captain of the England mixed hockey team. The 32-year-old Guernsey-man returned to these shores this season after plying his trade in the English Premier One Division with Guildford for six years. The striker was instrumental in Guernsey's 6-1 demolition of Jersey in April's inter-insular.

Whalley has been involved with the national mixed team for the last four years and he skippered it last year.

'It's a huge honour,' he said.

'I'm delighted to do it. It's a pleasure to play with the team as well.

'They are a great side to captain.'

Whalley will lead out the England XI in their annual match with Wales on Sunday 23 July. They have been training since mid-May for the clash and they have a number of friendly games with top UK clubs over the next month.

England won last year's rubber 5-1.

Since returning to Guernsey, Whalley has been heavily involved with the sport in the island.

He played in the Investec Men's Division One with Isabel's Beavers and he has helped coach the women's team. He hopes to get more involved with coaching the men's team next year as well.

Whalley has noticed an improvement in the local game during his absence.

'I was pleasantly surprised with the standard,' he said.

'We did a really good job in Jersey. We're lucky to have enough players to make a really good island side.'