- Date of Birth:
- 17 August 1981 (28)
- Sport:
- Hockey
- Home Town:
- Somerset
- Current Address:
- Windsor
- Club:
- Reading Hockey Club
Sponsors:
Great Britain, England and World All Star Hockey Player.
As England and Great Britain’s full back and short corner specialist, Richard has scored an impressive 54 goals in 94 games. He was the tournament top scorer at the World Cup Qualifier with 10 goals and played every minute of the 2006 World Cup where the team finished 5th. The 2006 season culminated with Richard being named as one of the top 18 players in the world when selected in the ‘World Hockey All Star Team’ following the World Cup.
Richard has been playing hockey since he could walk and started at the local club, Taunton Vale HC, where his father played and coached. He played in the 1st IX at Millfield School from the age of 15yrs. On leaving school Richard joined Canterbury hockey club where he played for three years before joining Reading Hockey Club the year they won the European cup. Richard played in the England U18 and U21 sides winning his first Senior cap in 2003 in a match against Belgium.
In March this year the GB men’s team had one more chance at qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in a competition in Chile where their biggest challengers were India. Their emphatic 2-0 win against India in the final meant that they secured their place in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, while India stayed home for the first time since 1928. GB performed exceptionally at the Games eventually finishing 5th, the country’s best finish since 1988.
Richard combines a full-time marketing role in a sports clothing company with training and competition for his club and country. He is a dedicated and articulate individual whose experience and level-headed attitude means he plays a critical role in the countries hockey team. As a full back Richard is often on the pitch for the full 70 minutes, as well as playing a pivotal role controlling the game from the back, Richard also drag-flicks on penalty corners meaning that he frequently appears on the score sheet.
Richard plays alongside his brother in both club and National sides. With Simon in attack and Richard’s dominance in defence the pair are a force to be reckoned with.
Achievements:
2009 European Champions, Holland
2008 5th - Beijing Olympic Games
2008 1st – Olympic Qualifiers, Santiago
2007 4th – Champions Challenge, Belgium (England’s top scorer)
2006 5th – World Cup, Monchengladbach (England’s top scorer)
2006 3rd – World Cup Qualifiers, China
2006 4th – Commonwealth Games, Melbourne (England’s top scorer)
Domestic:
2007 Premiership Winner (Reading HC)
2006 EH Cup Winner
2005 Premiership Winner (Reading HC)
2005 Silver – European Club Cup (Reading HC)
2004 Premiership Winner (Reading HC)
2003 European club cup winner
2003 Premier League Winner (Reading HC)
2003 EH Cup Winner
2002 Premiership Winner (Canterbury HC)
2002 EH Cup Winner
