Olly Deasy is looking forward to leading England out in the Over-35 Hockey World Cup in South Africa later this year.
Deasy lives in Shaw, but has skippered Reading for many years in the top flights of the Men’s National League.
He was invited for a trial for the over-35s earlier this year and he said: “I wanted to see what it was all about and I loved it!”
Now Deasy has to prepare for the challenge that lies ahead in Cape Town from September 28 to October 8.
He said: “It is an exciting opportunity to be involved in an elite environment again and it is going to be great.
“Hopefully we will be ready physically and mentally for a tough programme – we could have to play seven games in 10 days.
“We have got training camps coming up and our own personal fitness programme, as well as some warm-up games.”
As well as training two nights a week with Reading, Deasy also keeps in trim at Newbury CrossFit and Performance Centre in Turnpike Road and PureGym in Greenham Road.
So that’s the physical side taken care of.
And the mental side also shouldn’t be a problem as Deasy works as a performance consultant for human performance expert Planet K2.
He said: “We work within decision leadership and how to make the most of people through sports psychology.”
It’s a change of career for Deasy, who was head of hockey at Abingdon School for years before taking over as deputy head at Cranford House in Moulsford.
But hockey is his first love. He played for Exeter University, club side Isca and England age group teams before moving to Reading.
He played a key role as a composed defender as Reading won the National League and cup, while also enjoying several European championships.
He just missed out selection for the 2012 Olympics, but has represented the England A team.
Now he is looking forward to the next stage of his career, despite the disappointment of Reading being relegated from the top flight.
He said: “There is a big contingent from the Midlands and the North and I am looking forward to meeting up with them again.
“They are a good group of people who enjoy playing hockey and it is run very professionally.”
