Daniel Tomblin (16 years) from Ilkley, will be representing his country next month in the Underwater Hockey Age World Championships which are taking place in Malaysia.
The tournament, organised by the World Underwater Federation, is held over a two-week period from 16th-27th July in the iconic Sukan Arena in Kuala Lumpur where Daniel will be competing for Team GB in the Under 19 Men's Underwater Hockey Team against nations such as New Zealand, Turkey, South Africa and Australia.
Daniel started playing Underwater Hockey (aka Octopush) at age 10, having first seen the sport while on holiday in Orkney and he has continued to play weekly at Craven Pool as part of the Skipton Ducks Underwater Team since then.
When he was 14 years ago, his potential was recognised and he was encouraged to start training at John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds where GB hopefuls from all over the country are put through their paces in rigorous quarterly training weekends.
In January of this year, Daniel and the other 11 U19M players were selected to represent their country after demonstrating their skills and aerobic fitness and since then he has been training hard, whilst studying for and sitting his GCSEs at Ilkley Grammar School, to be at peak physical fitness and playing ability.
Proud mum Felicity Tomblin says: “Daniel has worked so hard over the last two years to get to this position and undoubtably this is his, and the team’s, greatest challenge to date. He’s received such a lot of support which has been wonderful, and we would particularly like to thank Skipton Rotary for their financial contribution. Underwater Hockey does not currently receive centralised funding, so every penny received from charities such as Skipton Rotary are vitally important in helping athletes like Daniel travel to events like the Championships and secure necessary equipment to help them compete. We hope the whole town is able to cheer him on next month.”
Daniel says: “I am so incredibly proud to be playing as part of Team GB in the Age World Championships and am looking forward to getting there and competing for my country. To raise further funds, I’m also going to be taking part in a sponsored swim on Thursday 27th June, with the full support of IGS, to help pay my way to Malaysia. I really hope that I can bring a gold medal home to Ilkley.”
To support Daniel in his sponsored swim, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/felicity-tomblin?_
For further details on the Underwater Hockey Age World Championships, visit: CMAS 6th Underwater Hockey Age Group World Championship