Alyssa helps GB place second in World Underwater Hockey Championship

Released: 20.08.18

Plymouth Marjon University student Alyssa Oates made a splash at this summer’s World Underwater Hockey Championships as she helped Great Britain on their way to second place in the tournament.

Alyssa, who studies Physical Education for Secondary Education, travelled to Quebec and starred as Britain’s centre forward as the side recovered from a shaky group stage start to march all the way to a final clash against New Zealand.

The final went right down to the wire, with New Zealand snatching the win in golden goal time to take the crown.

Alyssa told us: “It’s a bit bitter-sweet with it being such a close final but I’ve still got a silver medal at the end of it and celebrating with the rest of the girls was obviously really good. The last time at the World Championships we came ninth, so we have to be really pleased to finish up second this time. Overall it was just a really great experience.”

Alyssa, one of Marjon’s elite Sport Scholars, was supported by the university as she made use of the campus’ state-of-the-art sports facilities to help prepare for the World Championships.

The 20 year old told us: “The University really helped my preparation with a free membership to the gym here. Also, just before the tournament I broke some of my equipment and they gave me some extra funding so that helped massively!”

Alyssa won’t be taking much of a break, as 2019’s European Championships in Spain rolls in to focus for next year.

Alyssa told us: “We’re all hoping to go one better at the European Championships and bring home those gold medals”.

You can learn more about the Physical Education for Secondary Ed degree here.

You can find out more about our Elite Sport Scholars here.