Nicola sets sights on Olympic glory

HOCKEY star Nicola: Olympic hope

OLDHAM’S Nicola White might have been a latecomer to international hockey but she believes she is timing her London 2012 Olympic assault to perfection.

Despite her rapid rise up the ranks she knows she can’t take her foot off the gas if she is to earn selection for the London games, which are 500 days away today.

The 23-year-old has come a long way since making her England debut against Germany in June, 2009, racking up 45 international appearances in total for both the Three Lions and Great Britain.

And it isn’t just caps the former Oldham Hulme Grammar School pupil has to show for her efforts after helping England scoop Commonwealth, Champions Trophy and World Cup bronze medals in 2010.

She said: “Last year was fantastic. It has been a funny journey to where I am now, I never played junior international hockey, I only came into it at the last year of under-21 level.

“I started training with the seniors and I always wanted to play, that was always the dream, but I didn’t think I would achieve it and it is all still a bit surreal.

“I have grown in confidence but that pressure is still there and I know I have to play well.”

With the Champions Trophy in June and the European Championships in August this year Nicola, who has 34 England caps, could well fulfil her ambition of reaching 50.

She added: “Last year was really positive and we hope to build on the three medals we won, especially having come so close to silver at the World Cup,” she added.

“We are definitely capable of improving and I think we have to, as we have the ultimate aim of London 2012 in mind.”