5th Former, Ross Clarke, selected to compete with GB Under 16s Ice Hockey squad

Great Britain Under-16s have named their squad for a junior tournament in April and we are thrilled to learn that 5th Former Ross ‘Rinkrat’ Clarke, an ice hockey defender with the Peterborough Phantoms has been selected for the squad. The tournament in Swindon will run from 27 to 29 April with participating teams currently being finalised.  The GB youngsters will also play warm-up games in Dumfries on 14 and 15 April.

In response to this news, Ross commented:

I feel really honoured to be playing for my nation and I’m looking forward to be going on a new journey into international ice hockey i am looking forward to playing in Scotland and Swindon.

GB U16s head coach, Steven Lynch, said:

Competition for places was intense and I feel we have named an exceptional squad. We have a lot of great young talent in the GB programme and it is exciting to be coaching them. The players should be very proud to be selected and I am looking forward to working with them closely in April.

Ross started playing ice hockey with the Peterborough Junior Phantoms in 2011 and in 2012 was selected to play for the South East U11 team, playing in his first national tournament. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, participating in the final England squad training match in Sheffield in 2016. Ross’ ultimate selection for the squad depended crucially on his performance in that trial match, and a week later Ross received his letter from the English Ice Hockey Association to congratulate him for being selected for the 2016 England National Team.

From representing England to being selected for the Great Britain Under 16s squad is a very positive move for Ross and everyone at Wisbech Grammar School is inspired by his determination to succeed.

Chris Staley, Headmaster at Wisbech Grammar School, said:

This is such an achievement!  We are incredibly proud that Ross has been selected for the GB squad, and we wish him every success.