Stevie Doolan is a sixteen-year-old rising star. He began playing hockey during his penultimate year at primary school, and has since played on numerous high profile teams, whilst also making his debut on the England Under 16’s team last April. He discussed with me the influence hockey has had on him since he began.

“I’ve been playing hockey since I was in year five, but started in goal when I was in year six.”  He believes he was drawn to the unique atmosphere the sport creates. “In football, parents will shout; it’s not a very healthy or friendly environment. Whereas with hockey everyone is friendly and it’s all team based.”

Stevie has moved between clubs, but is currently playing for the Chichester Two’s and Seaford’s first team. These numerous transitions have opened up a variety of opportunities for him. “I used to have a keeper academy at Brighton, but I moved [clubs] this year. I [currently] coach at Steyning Primary School, the same school I started at.” He helps young people discover their own potential playing hockey, working alongside his childhood PE teacher, Mr Knowles, who introduced Stevie to the sport.

Playing for England has been the greatest opportunity he’s had; he instantly recalled it as his current career highlight. “Playing against the Dutch, for England - that was pretty memorable. That was in April, earlier this year. My favourite moment was when there was a penalty shootout in the semi-final against the Dutch, which we won three-nil.” It’s clear that the thought of conceding no penalties as goalkeeper, against a highly regarded team, brings him great satisfaction.  

However Stevie doesn’t want to stop at this single England cap. “I want to play for England, that’s my main goal, and then go to the Olympics. Not Tokyo, the one after that, Paris. Paris Olympics would be pretty sick!” He smiles a little before joking, “obviously winning gold.”

What struck me most was that his idea of success in hockey is more plural than I expected; he doesn’t want to simply win as many games as possible. “One of my main things, beinging a bit broader, is to make hockey my main job, and not have to work on the side of it. That would be playing, coaching; the sport of hockey would be my job.”

He noted to me the effect he feels the sport has had on his character. “It’s made me more organised. Playing for England is quite hard, you’ve got to be really organised, always concentrate on what’s going on. It’s also helped me with people skills, meeting new people, when you go to the England squad you don’t know who you’re playing with, I didn’t know anyone going into it, I was completely new. I’ve obviously met new people. It’s made me more confident, in everything else I do.”