High hopes for Hockey captain Orla

Published On Mon 15 Apr 2019 by Dominic Glasgow

A University of Dundee medical student from Lurgan has made it into the Scottish Student Sport national team this week ahead of the Home Nations Tournament taking place in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Orla Thompson is the only Dundee student to join the squad and says that the Scottish side looks sure to stick it to the England and Wales as students across the UK face off in the Home Nations Tournament 2019. 

She said, “We have an absolutely great team this year and I feel lucky to be chosen. Although we’ve only had two training sessions because of the snow, I think we can at least put the pressure on for a 2-1 over England and maybe even 3-0 over Wales.”

The 20-year-old midfielder, who currently captains Dundee’s Women’s firsts squad, took up hockey when she was just six-years-old and went on to play for Bambridge Academy.

Now a second-year medical student in Dundee, Orla says keeping up with a sport is just as important for her mental health as much as it is for her physical health and would prescribe it to anyone interested in studying at university.

“Playing hockey has allowed me to get outside and stay active. It’s great because it takes your mind off work and so long as you manage your time, you are definitely able to fit it in with your studies. I would really recommend it to everyone.”

The Home Nations Tournament takes place on Tuesday and Thursday this week at Scotland’s National Hockey Centre in Glasgow.

For media enquiries contact:
Dominic Glasgow
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 385131
Email: d.w.glasgow@dundee.ac.uk