Yves-du-Manoir has been awash with fans over the last fortnight from across the globe. We met some of them…
Smith family (mum Ruth, dad Neil and sisters Sadie and Amy)
Connected to Marlow HC, Sadie, below second from right, started out in Year 4, while they were hoping Ellie Rayer was picked for the Games (their cousin’s daughter is Ellie).
The family went to Rio and watched the semi-finals, while Sadie is in her first year at Uni and loves to meet new people via the sport.
She once coached with Giselle Ansley at Marlow and picked up “strong defensive tackles” from the GB star.
Tim Bradgate, 27, Sheffield & Frances Livera, 26.
Tim, below right, first got into hockey at an intro to hockey session at his club, Fleet HC. “It was more enjoyable than football.” While Frances, who is half Dutch, first tried the sport when her mum was coaching at her club.
Their favourite player is Nick Bandurak for his “blinder” of a goal during the 2022 Commonwealths. And Sam Ward for “wanting to pick up a stick” after his injury.
Vaidy, main picture left, Bangalore ‘in his 60s’
He has been supporting Indian hockey for over 45 years and met his friends at college. “It’s just a lovely field game,” he said.
His favourite player is PR Sreejesh, from his home state of Kerala. “He is a simple person and just handles a crisis so well.”
James Bacon, 28, from Coleraine, Northern Ireland
James, below, had never watched hockey live before Paris. “It looks like football but more difficult,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s exhilarating and I could enjoy it regularly. The venue isn’t too big, right amount of fans and it’s good for families.”
