AN Uffculme hockey player has become the first person at his college to gain selection for the England under 18 hockey squad.

Richard Huish College captain Max Ansell, 18, has become the first Huish hockey player to gain selection for the squad, after impressing at a National Age Group Trial.

Having earned himself the trial with his performances at the Futures Cup tournament, Max attended a number of training camps over the last few months.

His sporting prowess got him selected for the final 26-man squad, and Harry Lee, Sports Development Manager at Huish, said: “We’re all delighted for Max that his hard work has been rewarded with England selection.

“He is one of the very best hockey players we have had at the college and the combination of his phenomenal ability, attitude and leadership have been infectious on his team mates and a key factor in the teams successes this year.

“We wish Max and the team the very best for the rest of the season.”

Max’s individual success comes during a very successful year for the college’s hockey team.

The 1st XI team are British Colleges Sport (BCS) South West League champions, have made the semi-finals of the BCS National Cup and are in the last 16 of the English Schools competition, having beaten Wellington School (5-0), Kings College (3-2) and King Edwards Birmingham (5-2) so far in the competition.

In April, Max will lead the Huish 1st XI to the BCS National Championships to defend their title as BCS National Champions.