University of Gloucestershire hockey team captain Poppy Mills has just finished her final year playing with the team after a successful season culminating with a wonderful varsity competition.
“This season has been more than I ever hoped for. The merge of Women’s and Men’s hockey has been more successful than I ever could have imagined.”
“The highlight of the season for me has to be the victory against Southampton which was a fantastic result for the team.”
Mills has reached the end of her University sporting career and couldn’t speak highly enough of her time representing the University with hockey.
“I’ve absolutely loved being part of Uni Hockey, starting in the first year right the way through until the third year and being club captain. I’ve made friends for life in that team.”
The Hockey team will hope to be recruiting for the new season as they prepare to lose an array of students such as Mills who will be leaving University. Mills spoke on why she would always recommend new students joining up the societies.
“I highly recommend the club to anyone thinking of joining university, it can be such a lovely experience especially with the backup of the team. I mean it’s like having the family you never planned.”
“The most rewarding part as a seasoned player is seeing everyone improve as the season goes on.”
Mills plans on continuing to play with her club Gloucester City, however, plans on keeping up her fitness during the summer by playing cricket.
“Usually over the summer I take a break to stop myself from becoming bored of the sport, I like to play cricket to keep up my fitness.”
It hasn’t all been easy for the UOG Hockey team this year with some difficult moments for the team to have to cope with.
“Losing to Exeter 7s was a tough loss, it was the highest goal difference of the season and having played Exeter 5s and 6s last season and won it felt extremely soul destroying to lose to them.”
Overall Mills couldn’t speak highly enough of her experience playing Hockey with the University. “I’ve learned so many leadership skills, taking on a roll in a club is something that I’ve never done before, and it was a great challenge and I’m proud of myself for what I have been able to do.
