Funding the dream
A modest crowdfunding campaign has been launched by the Welsh men's hockey squad, targeting £40,000 to help fund their participation in the upcoming World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The team secured its place in the tournament after a dramatic 2‑1 win against Poland in Santiago, a result that has sparked excitement across the country.
Many of the players are not full‑time athletes; they combine early‑morning training sessions with full‑time jobs or university studies, a reality that adds pressure to their preparation.
Hockey Wales chief executive Paul Whapham has been vocal about the financial hurdles, noting that the overall preparation budget sits at approximately £150,000 and that the crowdfunding effort is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Whapham hopes the campaign will do more than meet a budget line; he believes the visibility of the team’s journey can spark a new wave of interest in the sport among youngsters across Wales.
In the lead‑up to the tournament, the squad will play warm‑up matches against England, Australia and Chile, using those fixtures to fine‑tune tactics and build momentum.
The World Cup pool draw places Wales against India, England and Pakistan, a grouping that promises competitive matches and additional exposure for the sport.