Nicole in world title bid

Nicole Jackson

Hard work and dedication have paid off for an ice-hockey star, who today sets off with the Great Britain team to play in the World Championships.

Nicole Jackson (19), of Chadderton, has been playing the fast-paced game since she was 14 and has gone through the ranks to stake her place in the national team.

Starting with women’s ice-hockey team Kingston Diamonds in Hull, where she still plays weekly, Nicole had trials for the North England team and was enrolled at the English School of Excellence.

The goalkeeper went on to represent England before having trials for Team GB Under-18s.

Successful in the trials, she travelled to Hungary, playing against the likes of Slovakia, Spain and Denmark where she was voted Best Young Player of the Tournament.

Proving more than worthy of her place with the juniors, Nicole was then offered the chance to have a trial with the senior GB team, where she has established herself as first-choice goalkeeper.

She will play against Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands and China in this year’s World Championships, starting on Easter Monday, and this year the tournament is even more exciting for Nicole as it’s being held at her home stadium in Hull. Nicole said of the tournament: “I’m really excited. We need to win in the tournament, we want a medal.”
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