Whitley Warriors young forward Callum Queenan is heading for Estonia where he will represent GB under 18’s in Division 2 Group A of the World Championships at their age group level. Joining Callum in the British squad is Warriors Head Coach Simon Leach who is assistant coach to Martin Grubb at national team level.
Callum shared his thoughts on being chosen to represent his country.
“Being selected to play for Britain is the biggest achievement of my hockey career to date. I’ve been working hard for years out on the ice so I can achieve as much as I can in the game and to be chosen to play for GB is amazing for me.
“A lot of the coach’s at Whitley Bay have helped me a great deal over the years and having Simon (Leach) with the squad in Estonia will also be a great help to me as I know him and how he works well.
“I’m going to give everything I have try and get some points on the board and hope we do well as a team as that’s always the main thing. “
GB assistant coach Simon Leach also spoke about his role in the national set up and about Callum’s selection.
“It’s a great honour for me to be involved with Martin Grubb and all the boys in the national set up. Last year was my first year coaching an international level and it was a learning curve for me as even though I’ve played at this level being the other side of the ice is a very different experience.
“I’m really proud that a Whitley youngster has made it into the GB squad. Callum has got better and better through all the training camps that were held and he certainly deserved his selection.
“Callum has been playing really well for Warriors and he’s the only player from the NIHL North set up to make it into the GB squad which shows just how well he has done.”
GB under 18’s first game is this Sunday when Britain take on Korea in Tallinn. GB go onto face Croatia, Estonia, Netherlands and Poland in the week long round robin tournament as Britain look to gain promotion out of a very competitive pool of countries. I’m sure all hockey fans will be wishing Callum and all of his teammates all the best during their time in Tallinn.