Our Ambition Is to Prepare Properly and Compete With the Strongest Teams in the World, Says Thomas Cole

The coaches clearly set the required standards

Thomas, as captain of the Great Britain national team, you will lead your team at this year’s World Championship in Ostrava. Could you tell us what stage of preparation your team is currently in?

The squad has now been finalised, which gives us clarity on who we’re going to Ostrava with. That’s great, because the focus can now shift fully to preparation. Our coaches have constantly made their priority clear – fitness. The boys are working hard individually in the gym and on the rink, and we’re also coming together as a group to tighten up our systems and make sure everyone is clear about their roles. We want to arrive at the World Championship in the best physical condition we’ve ever been in, and nothing less is acceptable.

As part of your preparations, Great Britain took part in the international Páňa Cup tournament in Kladno last year. What did this tournament reveal about the strength of your team, and what did you take away from it?

The Páňa Cup in Kladno was an important first step in our preparation for this World Championship. Ball Hockey UK brought a very open and competitive squad, as the tournament formed part of our wider trial process. It gave a number of players the opportunity to show what they could do at an international level, and naturally not everyone from that group went on to make the final roster. From a performance point of view, the tournament gave us honest feedback. It showed that while we have strong foundations and plenty of potential, there is still a lot of work for us to do if we want to consistently compete with the very top nations. The tournament was incredibly valuable for us as a programme, and we’re grateful to the ISBHF for having us there.

Great Britain has not reached the knockout stage of the World Championship for quite some time and is still waiting to make it back to the playoffs. In your opinion, what is missing for the British team to consistently keep pace with the top national teams in the world?

I think, realistically, the main difference has been fitness. The international game keeps getting quicker and more physical, and the overall athletic level improves with every tournament. If you’re not matching that, it becomes difficult to stay consistent across full games and throughout an entire week of competition. That’s something we’ve addressed openly as a group. The coaches have been clear about the standards required, and as players we understand that we need to raise our physical level if we want to compete more consistently with the top nations. Not medalling at the 2024 World Championships was disappointing for us. It was the first time since 2015 that Great Britain hadn’t come away with a medal, and that’s something the programme has properly reflected on. We’re not hiding from it – it’s something we’re focused on putting right. In the last few tournaments, we’ve started in the top division, not by choice, and the reality is that we were not ready for that level. That’s not about excuses; it’s about being honest. Our ambition is to earn our way into Pool A and compete with the strongest nations, but that has to come through results. We need to consistently beat the teams around us first and build from there.

The Czech federation set a very high standard for hosting the World Championship at that time

Have you seen progress in British ball hockey in recent years that could lead to a breakthrough result? And could this year’s championship be a turning point for your country and finally secure a place in the playoffs?

The coaches have built a squad that includes a strong core of under-23 players, many of whom were part of the group that earned Great Britain its first junior wins last summer (Hradec Králové 2025). That was a massive step for the programme and gave those players valuable experience early on. Having that junior foundation matters. It raises standards, creates competition, and gives us depth going forward. Many of those players have already stepped into the men’s environment and shown they’re comfortable at that level, which is brilliant to see. Whether this year becomes a breakthrough will depend on how we perform, but there’s a real sense that the programme is moving in the right direction. It’s exciting to see the younger group coming through and ready to contribute on the biggest stage.

As captain, how would you describe your team? What makes it unique, and where do you see its greatest strength?

This team is fast – very fast. I’ve been blown away by the work rate. The determination the guys have brought into every camp has set the tone for the Championship. We’re prepared to push the pace and make it uncomfortable for every opponent we face. We’ve got a strong mix of experience and young energy. The older lads understand international tournaments, while the younger players bring pace and hunger, and together it creates a lethal combination.

The last World Championships in the Czech Republic were held in Pardubice in 2017, where you were also a member of the British team. How do you remember that tournament? And what is the most memorable thing about that time?

It’s a tournament I remember very clearly. The organisation was outstanding – everything felt professional and well run, and the atmosphere around the arenas all week was unbelievable. The Czech federation really set the benchmark for hosting a World Championship. As a player, it was an incredible environment to compete in. The fans brought real energy, and you could feel how much the event meant to the country. The overtime game is a big personal memory. The whole medal weekend had a special feel to it. But seeing the Czech women win their first gold medal on home soil was a standout moment. You could tell it meant a lot to their programme, and it was something special to witness in person.

Thomas Cole is the captain of the Great Britain national team. Photo credit: personal archive of Thomas Cole.