A HOCKEY player from Chester has spoken of his pride at winning a call-up to play for Team GB.

Phil Roper, 20, will represent his country at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney next week.

The tournament, a legacy of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will see approximately 1,700 young athletes from 30 nations compete across 17 Olympic sports.

It is a recognised stepping-stone towards future senior Olympic success.

Chester Hockey Club player Roper said: “I have been working towards this for three years.

“We all went to Malaga for warm weather training to acclimatise and I think we will be well prepared for the first game.”

Team GB will face Australia, the USA and Malaysia in the tournament, which has a round robin phase before going into medal games.

Confidence is high in the GB camp after the success of the nation at the 2012 London Olympics.

“It’s pretty amazing to be a part of that whole culture,” said former Upton High School student Roper.

“More than ever being part of Team GB is something to be proud of, to represent your country on the world stage.

“It is not going to be easy in Sydney, as the temperature can be up around 30 degrees when we are playing, but I am confident we can do well.”

Two rowers with links to Chester are also part of the GB squad.

Thomas Marshall, originally from Mold but now living and training in Germany, is a member of Royal Chester Rowing Club.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a fruitful 2012, winning bronze as part of the British men’s eight at the World Junior Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Marshall said: “It is a great opportunity to spend two or three weeks in Australia, competing at a high level and getting some sun which will be fantastic. I jumped at the opportunity.”

Former Bishop Heber High School student Lucy Burgess, of Nantwich, is also in the rowing squad.

The 18-year-old, who will compete in the pairs, quads and eight, facing six races over two days, said: “I think our best chance is in the eight, but I think we have a pretty good chance in any boat and will be heading there with medals in mind.”

The rowing action will take place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, the venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games.

It works in partnership with sport’s national governing bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values (www.olympics.org.uk).