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Are you looking for a hockey sponsorship from a brand that is supportive and is thriving? Apply to join team eighteen and become part of a hockey family where ambassadors are valued. Find out more on our sponsorship page.

https://www.eighteenhockey.com/pages/sponsorship

This week, in our eighteen ambassador head to head, we see Connor versus Cynthia. GK against outfield player! Both have carefully chosen their playlists to get them in the pre match game mood. Who’s tunes match your game day mood? Head over to our Insta story to cast your vote on Saturday and click the link to listen and download the playlist for yourself.

Game day playlist: Listen here

Welcome to the sixth installment in our Meet The Ambassador series. Each ambassador brings their own qualities to our team, many selflessly give up their time to give back to hockey, something that is close to our hearts; all get involved in helping us to develop new products with their feedback and ideas.

We thought it would be great for you to see behind the scenes and get to know them a little better. We've given each ambassador 15 quirky questions and asked them to pick their 5 favourite and entertain us with their answers...

Meet Jack. Jack has been an ambassador with us from the age of 11, since 2018. Ripping the opposition apart with cheeky, tricky skills in the badgers games was his forte, now playing in the men's leagues he's enjoying learning how to play in a much more physical environment. Until Covid hit, he had begun experiencing the next level on the player pathway and was training at his regional PC centre, Jack is hoping that things will start to get back to normal soon. Here are his responses to our questions...

Name: Jack

Club: North Stafford HC

Stick: R95 - I love the feel of it and the power it gives me when hitting the ball. It's also really good for 3D skills and ariels.

If you could have one magical power, what would it be? : I would love to be able to fly! I find travelling to new places amazing so if I could fly it would make seeing the world a lot easier!

What is your favourite film? : It has to be James Bond 'Spectre'. Cars are my passion and the cars in the James bond films are amazing with the gadgets. 

What food do you dislike and why? : Ask my mum and she would say pretty much all salad and vegetables! But the one I dislike the most is cucumbers ... they're just awful. 

Friday night- would you rather stay in or go out? : Go out! I love being with my friends, so that would certainly be my choice. It's been difficult for eveyone during the pandemic so I can't wait until we can see everyone normally again and go back to the club house after the games too. 

If you could re do one day in your life, what would it be and why? : I went to the hockey World Cup in London in July 2018 and managed to get all the Dutch ladies to sign my stick and then we went to watch the England ladies play the USA. It was an amazing atmosphere and brilliant to see a professional match. I would love to do that day all over again.

So that's Jack. He's missing playing his hockey at the moment but looking forward to brighter and better days around the corner when we can all get back out there on the pitch. 

Next week ... meet Keira

Welcome to the fifth installment in our Meet The Ambassador series. Each ambassador brings their own qualities to our team, many selflessly give up their time to give back to hockey, something that is close to our hearts.

We thought it would be great for you to see behind the scenes and get to know them a little better. We've given each ambassador 15 quirky questions and asked them to pick their 5 favourite and entertain us with their answers...

Meet Charlotte. She's a talented, formidable figure on the hockey pitch; commanding the D with force and gusto. When she's not making incredible saves and making forwards think twice, she's imparting her knowledge and skills on the next generation of budding GK's through her coaching skills. Charlotte joined the eighteen family this season and is an integral part of our team, we caught up with her during a break from her busy schedule.

Name: Charlotte

Club: Telford and Wrekin HC 1st Team and I also play in the England Mixed Hockey squad.

Stick: R95 - I find it stable, strong and reliable ... it also makes awesome stick saves!

Coaching: As well as playing, I'm also the head coach for Newport Men's Hockey Club, head coach for Staffordshire AC U14s and U15s girls, GK coach for SE Staffordshire DC and GK coach for PerfX Hockey. 

Do you have a nickname, if so where did it come from? : My Dad has always called me 'Spud', I know where it's from, but I can't say! I also get called 'Smell' from my best friend and I have NO idea where that came from!

My slogan for life: It's a long one! I have learned over the years that sacrifice can make your life better and that you shouldn't be constrained by the legacy of others, you can find your own path. You can't control everything. It's what you make of your situation that defines you. I've had to stick to this after some rough times and making some sacrifices to get where I now am has really paid off.

Friday night - Stay in or go out? : If it's a game day on the Saturday, I stay in. However, if it's not, then I like to go out for a meal. (Obviously pre Covid!).

Random fact: I was told when I was in school that I would fail all of my exams and that I wouldn't make it as a teacher...8 years on, 4 courses later; 2 first class degrees, an MA in education, PGCE and QTS in Secondary Physical Education I'm a PE teacher, form tutor and a DofE Manager! 

If you won a million pounds: I would - 

1. Donate to a couple of charities that are close to my heart, around £100,000

2. Donate to my school to provide DofE for some of our students, around £10,000

3. Set aside £250,000 as a savings pot

4. Give £50,000 to my Dad so that he could buy his dream car; an Ariel Atom 3.5!

5. Renew my racing licence, buy a brand new kart for myself and my Dad and cover the race entry for the year , around £150,000

6. Last but not least, I'd donate £150,000 to my hockey club to provide equipment for the junior section, and anything that's needed for the club.

So, that leaves me with £290,000 .... I'd buy a load of Adidas Ultraboost and other trainers!

If you were to go on 'Come Dine With Me', what would your menu be? : It would have to be:

Starter - Bruschetta, my favourite!

Main - Black garlic rump steak, with 15 hour roast potatoes, roast carrots and parsnips, green beans; served with a side salad.

Dessert - This is a tough one! Either banana cake with banana ice cream, or I'd do a massive chocolate fondue!

Well there we go. I think we all know Charlotte a little better now; she is one busy lady! So a huge thank you to Charlotte for taking the time out of her incredibly busy schedule to answer our quirky questions. 

Up next week...Meet Jack