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Helen Richardson on the ball for GB - photo: Sportalasia

FULL NAME: Helen Richardson (England and GB)
HOMETOWN: Nottingham
CLUB TEAM: Fyffes Leicester
SHIRT NUMBER: 14 (but prefer 13!)


PFH: What position do you usually play?
HR: Midfield (centre)

PFH: Favourite other sport?
HR: Cricket

PFH: How many caps for England and GB?
HR: 53 combined

PFH: How many hours a week do you train?
HR: Average 15 hours

PFH: If you were to describe your style of play, what would it be?
HR: Controlled but aggressive

PFH: Strengths of your game?
HR: I read the game well, have good basic skills and I am very competitive.

PFH: Weaknesses?
HR: My overall fitness and speed, but it's improving all the time.

PFH: What do you spend most time working on at training?
HR: My weakness, so my fitness but hockey wise I work on playing in tight areas under lots of fatigue.

PFH: What is your favourite hockey memory?
HR: It was at the Olympic Qualifier 2000 at Milton Keynes, we needed to beat China to qualify. It was 0-0 at half time, a very tight match then we scored with about 15-20 mins to go and we held out until the end to win 1-0. The feeling after the game was amazing, with it being in front of a home crowd and the thought of going to the Olympic Games was sensational.

PFH: And your worst memory?
HR: Finishing 8th at the Sydney Olympics, not playing to our potential after such a promising build up.

PFH: How do you rate England's chances at the Manchester Commonwealth Games?
HR: We are all very confident with our own ability and with how our preparation has gone but it'll be a tough tournament. There won't be any easy matches and we won't be taking anything for granted but if we can hit top form at the right time we stand a good chance of getting a medal...but who knows!

PFH: Do Australia appear as dominant as they have been in the past?
HR: To be honest I've not seen the Aussies play since the Olympics so I won't know until it starts I guess. They are the favourites though and if we get to play them it will be a very tough match.

PFH: What will it be like playing on the big stage at home in front of lots of fans?
HR: Absolutely amazing. I can't wait for it to start. It's great to have home support with the majority of the crowd on your side, it does make a big difference. I hope the whole Commonwealth Games is a huge success and we can put on a good show for everyone.

PFH: Will the Games be important for hockey in England?
HR: Yes definitely. Hockey is a sport which is quite low profile in this country and the Commonwealth Games along with the Olympics are the only two times hockey gets T.V. coverage. It's a superb opportunity to raise the profile so hopefully we can do well and enthuse lots of youngsters to take up the sport.

PFH: What do you do outside hockey?
HR: At the moment I am a full time athlete which is great because it enables me to train to my potential and get the best from mytself. This has been possible with help from Sport England's Lottery Fund and hopefully I can put it to good effect in the Games.

PFH: How long do you plan to play hockey for?
HR: For as long as my body can take it! Which probably won't be for much longer! Honestly, as long as I'm still enjoying it and I can compete with the best of them.

PFH: Any advice for an aspiring young hockey player?
HR: This is one of my favourite quotes, it reminds me to take the chance while I can... " You'll always miss 100% of the opprtunities you don't take".

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