Students Having A Ball

Two Northumbria University students are preparing to live out their sporting dream after bagging international call-ups this summer.

Alex Towns and Andrew Presly have been picked to play for their country later this month.

And the talented pair will link up with the GB Junior Ball Hockey squad next week before flying to the Czech Republic.

Ball hockey is a variation of ice hockey and street hockey and international matches have taken place for the past 20 years.

The sport grew in popularity across North America from the 1960s with British and European clubs springing up from the mid 1980s.

Towns and Presly play for the Northumbria University Sharks and will make their GB debuts at this month’s World Junior Ball Hockey event.

GB join hot favourites Canada and the USA in a seven-team Under 20 tournament also featuring the hosts, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland.

And the pair are expected to be key players in the round robin mini league starting on June 18.

GB face Slovakia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic in the opening group stage and Team Northumbria’s Heather Steel said: “We are right behind Alex and Andrew and wish them all the best.

“Whenever our students are called up to represent their country at international level it’s a very proud day for everyone associated with Northumbria University.”

The World Junior Hockey Ball Championships run from June 18-23 with the gold medal game scheduled for Saturday June 23 in Pisek.

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