Paris 2024: The Chelsea trialist leading Great Britain’s Olympic hockey hopes

Ames recovered from that early sporting setback to go on to enjoy a fulfilling club and international career, initially representing Ireland and then switching his allegiance to GB.

“I decided that hockey was the route I wanted to go down, based on a number of mates from my old club and school as well, who pushed me that way.

“Thankfully it has paved the way for my life to be pretty much non-stop hockey for the last 17 or 18 years. I’m very thankful for those guys for putting me in this position. I’m lucky enough to be doing what I’m doing.

“It gave me a new career, a new path to go down, and thankfully this one has worked out.”

Having also helped England to a fourth-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup, Ames will enjoy another career highlight in France where GB are medal contenders.

He is quick to pay tribute to the amazing support he has received from his mother Carol.

“Mum has been there every step of the way. She was a single parent who raised two kids. It’s pretty emotional.

“In my early days driving me to Dublin. Six in the morning to be there for nine, constantly, every weekend. There aren’t too many countries she hasn’t ticked off. She has been to pretty much every event.

“The path that I’ve chosen has pretty much been from her and I try to do the best I can in terms of my hockey and my life so it looks the best for her and hopefully I continue to do her proud.

“To be able to finish as a captain of Great Britain at the Olympic Games would be a nice way for me to finish, and for her.”