Kent music teacher selected to represent Great Britain in Underwater Hockey
Rona Wignall, a music educator from Kent, is thrilled to have been chosen to represent Great Britain in underwater hockey. As she gears up to compete in an international tournament, she hopes to secure the gold medal for her team. Ms. Wignall, who teaches at Radnor House in Sevenoaks, will be transitioning from playing with the West Wickham underwater hockey team to joining the national team.
In August, she will be participating in the Underwater Hockey World Championship Qualifiers in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. To cover the expenses associated with the event, which are expected to exceed £2,000, she is currently raising funds. Despite the challenges of balancing her teaching responsibilities with training for the competition, Ms. Wignall expresses gratitude for the support of her school and the opportunity to represent her country.
Underwater Hockey, also known as Octopush, involves teams competing to maneuver a 2kg (4.4 lbs) puck into the opposing team’s goal. Players wear fins, gloves, and use a small hockey stick while navigating underwater and holding their breath. The sport, originating in Southsea in 1954, is popular in university settings in the UK, as noted by Ms. Wignall. The British Octopush Association reports that there are 68 registered clubs in the UK with more than 1,800 participants.
Having been introduced to underwater hockey while living in New Zealand after following her sister’s lead, Ms. Wignall found a passion for the sport that she has carried with her back to the UK. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, her plans to compete in the World Championships in Australia in 2020 were postponed until 2023, where Great Britain secured a fourth-place finish. Looking ahead, the upcoming championship in August will gather top teams from Europe and Africa to vie for a spot in the 2027 World Championships.
Frequenting Leeds once a month to train with the Great Britain team, Ms. Wignall is determined to help her squad secure a gold medal in 2027. Her dedication to the sport, coupled with her competitive spirit, drives her ambition to excel on the international stage. As she continues to prepare for the upcoming tournament, Ms. Wignall remains focused on achieving success for both herself and her team.