Varsity Q&A with George Hopkins, Mens 3's Portsmouth Hockey Player

After watching the university Varsity Cup hockey games, I found myself having a chat with 19 year old George Hopkins, a university first year who plays for the men's 3's university hockey team. I had just watched his match and I thought it would be nice to get an insight to hockey, and the team members attitudes towards it.

Photo taken of George before his game

Lauren Tidmarsh (LT)- Are you happy with the outcome of the game, and if not what would you have improved?

George Hopkins (GH)- Well, um, unfortunately we didn’t have a great score. I believe it was 5-1 to Southampton. So unfortunately it wasn’t a great result, but I feel like the team did well together. We just made a few silly mistakes. Myself included.

LT- Do you think attitude is a factor of a good game?

GH- Well, I can’t speak for everyone else on my team but I think I had quite a good attitude going into it. I was just thinking “It’s the last game of the season so I want to have a good game, don’t really mind about the outcome- just have a bit of fun”

LT- Yeah. You said you lost 5-1, which is unfortunate, but how did you feel when you did score that one goal?

GH- When we did score I felt like we did deserve it

LT- Yes

GH- Because we usually have a lot of opportunities where we nearly score, we’re just so close but we never get it. So it was a sigh of relief and it was good to get some numbers on the board.

LT- Do you enjoy competing in a team?

Hopkins (Number 1) Walking onto the pitch to warm up for the game

GH- Uh, I do yeah. I do enjoy competing in a team because you get to build team spirit and friendship. And after you’ve had a game it’s just good to go out, have a few drinks with the boys and have a good laugh.

LT- Yeah. What qualities do you think make a good teammate then?

GH- Definitely someone who can take a joke. There’s a lot of like, um back and forth

LT- A lot of banter

GH- Yeah, banter. So if you can’t take a joke then, y’know, get out. A positive attitude, good at hockey I hope. You know, just someone who doesn’t mind if you make mistakes. Just give it your all.

LT- What was the best moment of the match for you?

GH- Oh, the best moment was when one of the Southampton players got through our defence and he was running straight at me, so I went in for a one on one, slid on him, got the ball, jumped over him and got a nice cheer from the Portsmouth supporters.

LT- Well that’s all the questions I have for today, thank you for your time.

GH- No worries