Debenhams are very proud to be involved with the Hockey GB hockey team, and recently we caught up with Olympian forward Simon Mantell to talk hockey, style and a busy summer of sport.
Simon took time out of his busy training schedule to have a chat about what it means to represent his country in a home Olympics and how important it is to look your best on and off the hockey field.
Besides winning gold, what are your hopes for the tournament?
Well first of all I hope to be playing, selection will take place in May. But once you are at an Olympics it is difficult to think about much else other than winning medals. Aside from the hockey I hope that Hockey GB will be able to celebrate a record medal haul, I think it would be great for the whole nation.
Who are the other countries to look out for?
Australia and Germany have proved to be the most consistent performers over the last 5 or 6 years. So we are keen to repeat our win over Germany in the European cup final 2009.
How did you first got involved in hockey?
My Father got both my brother and I into hockey from an early age, mainly because we spent quite a bit of time hitting a ball around on the side of the pitch when he was playing. I also played a lot of tennis growing up and had dreams of winning Wimbledon and emulating my childhood sporting hero, Stefan Edberg!