Sam
At the top of his game
My name is Sam, and I have had Type 1 diabetes since the age of seven (it is my 16th birthday today). I have always loved playing sport, but recently, after a long selection process and a lot of intense training and assessment, I was chosen in the England under 16 hockey squad.
I was selected as one of the 18 players to travel to Hanover, Germany to play against Germany, Holland and Spain in the Easter 4 Nations tournament.
Whilst there, we beat Spain 3-1, beat Holland 4-3, but lost to Germany 4-3 in the final, meaning that we finished in second place out of four. However, I was awarded with the "goalkeeper of the tournament award", meaning that I am considered one of, if not the best hockey goalkeeper for my age in Europe.
I have never let diabetes hold me back and hopefully my story can be an inspiration to other young sportsmen hoping to compete internationally!
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