Alumnus, Ian Haley playing hockey in his University of Exeter kit.
Alumni going for gold at Commonwealth Games
University of Exeter alumni are preparing to compete on the hockey fields and bowling greens of Delhi at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The Opening Ceremony to the Games takes place on Sunday (October 3) and will be followed by an 11-day feast of sporting action.
Among those participating include South African hockey star Ian Haley, who still plays for University of Exeter in the England Hockey League after graduating from the university in 2005.
Haley was a member of the University side that recently began their Men’s Conference West campaign with an 8-1 home win over Stourport before flying out to Delhi with the South African hockey squad.
Other University of Exeter alumni competing in Delhi include Sian Gordon, a member of England’s Triples Lawn Bowls squad and England Hockey goalkeeper Nick Brothers.
While former University of Exeter hockey players Sarah Thomas, Dawn Mitchell and Ella Rafferty are all members of the Welsh squad in Delhi.
University of Exeter alumni set to compete in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi:
Wales Hockey
Sarah Thomas (Sports Scholar and Sports Science Graduate 1999-2002)
Dawn Mitchell (Sports Scholar and Sports Science Graduate 2003-2006)
Ella Rafferty (Hockey High Performance Programme and Psychology Graduate 2000-2003)
Lawn Bowls
Sian Gordon (High Performance Programme and English Graduate 2006-2009)
England Men's Hockey
Nick Brothers (Sports Scholar and Sports Science Graduate 2001-2004)
South Africa Men's Hockey
Ian Haley (Sports Scholar and Sports Science Graduate 2002-2005)
Nick Beasant, Assistant Director of Sport (Performance & Competitions), is delighted with the representation of Exeter alumni competing at the games. He said “It is fantastic that our High Performance Programme has helped all these athletes in the preparation for such a major global sporting event. It is also a real testament to them all that following their time with us, these sportsmen and women have continued to train hard and focus fully on their goals; we are all thrilled at the prospect of Exeter having such a strong representation in Delhi.”
He added, “It is of course a real achievement for our sports scholarship scheme to have produced a number of athletes, including 5 hockey players, who are now competing on the world stage, with particular mention to Ian Haley who still competes in the men’s hockey squad for the University in the English National League. We wish them all luck for a successful and safe tournament.”
Date: 4 October 2010
