YOUNG people from Hillingdon had a pleasant surprise when they met Team GB hockey hero Ashley Jackson at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre schools festival last week.

The school students met Jackson, the all-time leading scorer with more than 150 goals and an extraordinary 128 England caps, who has recently returned from Rio de Janeiro after competing in his third Olympic Games.

Jackson hosted a question and answer session, where the children gave him a grilling on his hockey career, asking questions such as how much he is paid and what he thought of the Rio Olympic Games.

He then gave a select number of children a hands-on demonstration of his tackling skills. 

The young people were among more than 150 11 to 13 year olds from across London, Essex and Hertfordshire who took part in the schools festival, following hot on the heels of the success of Team GB’s women’s hockey team in Rio.

Playing on the same pitch where the world’s best compete, the teams were put to the test during the schools festival, which was organised by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

The authority’s chairman, Paul Osborn said: “It’s great to see so many young people keen to play this fast-paced sport.

“The Hockey Schools Festival is a terrific success with young people inspired and fired up by Team GB women’s team winning gold at Rio 2016.

“We offer young people an opportunity to play on the same pitch where top players like Ashley Jackson compete in major international tournaments such as this year’s Champions’ Trophy.

“As the sport’s most impressive UK venue, I’m proud that we offer at our world class venues professional and international events, while at the same time providing a welcoming and nurturing environment for the community at grassroots level.”

The two-day Schools Festival was a celebration of hockey and part of the commitment made by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to deliver a sustainable legacy, following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.