Tonbridge School's Team England and Great Britain hockey coach Leigh Maasdorp joining Team England Futures programme at Commonwealth Games

Hockey guru Leigh Maasdorp says her sport has a "huge opportunity" to propel itself to the next level at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Maasdorp, from Aylesford, has been a coach with Team England and Great Britain Hockey for almost nine years, coaching the Under-18s, Tier 2 side and managing the GB Elite Development Programme before her current role with England Under-21s.

And she’s done all that while also juggling the assistant director of sport job at Tonbridge School.

Also a former player and coach at Medway side Holcombe, Maasdorp, 37, has been rewarded for her incredible efforts with selection to the Team England Futures this summer, which will see over 1,000 talented young athletes and aspiring support staff given the opportunity to attend the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, watch live sporting action and take a first-hand look behind the scenes.

“It's just a phenomenal opportunity to see behind the scenes and also to meet incredible people within their sports," said Maasdorp, speaking at a Team England Futures Immersion Camp in Loughborough, where athletes and support staff had the chance to meet each other, visit Kitting Out and experience workshop sessions on topics such as working with the media, mental wellbeing and anti-doping.

“It was a bit of a surprise, really, when I got the email and obviously the nomination.

“It's really great considering how few people get this opportunity and get to experience this - so it’s a real privilege.”

The Team England Futures programme seeks to better prepare athletes to deliver medal-winning performances as either Team England, Team GB or ParalympicsGB debutants at future Games, while also giving support staff a first-hand look at the opportunities they could be