Dad-of-two Phil Roper says fatherhood has transformed his outlook on the sport ahead of Paris 2024. 

Roper’s first daughter Indie-Rae was born six months before his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and the family welcomed Luca into the world in October 2023. 

The 32-year-old made the cut in the 16-strong Team GB squad for the Games but heads to the French capital with a different motivation.

“It’s definitely a challenge to be a Dad and train for an Olympics,” said Roper, “but it gives me an amazing amount of perspective. 

“As soon as I get home, I’m just Dad again and that’s done amazing things for me.

“When I got the email saying I was selected, I looked around and realised my kids don’t care. They’re happy to see me, have fun and play.

“I’ve always dreamed of going to the Olympics again but I know that if things go wrong, I can come home and have a cuddle with my kids and my amazing wife.”

(Image: Team GB)

The men’s squad features a mix of youth and experience with seven men set to make their Olympic debuts in the French capital. 

Skipper David Ames and striker Sam Ward will represent Team GB for the third time. 

Head coach Paul Revington has overseen a transformation in the team, instilling an attacking philosophy and leading England to the final of the EuroHockey Championships.

“Revs has done incredible things for a lot of guys’ confidence and belief,” said Roper. “He wants us to play an exciting brand of hockey and that’s what we want to do - to play in a way that fans can get behind and people enjoy watching.

“Thankfully, I’m probably one of those players who has benefited because I like having the freedom to go and try things, to score great goals and make nice actions.”

Team GB begin their campaign against Spain on 27 July, with reigning world champions Germany and reigning European champions Netherlands looming large in Group A. 

The pool also features France and South Africa, with the top four sealing progression to the quarter-finals.

All games will be played at the refurbished Stade Yves-du-Manoir - the only venue that will have featured at both the 2024 and 1924 Games, having hosted the athletics a century ago.

“It’s important not to get too far ahead of ourselves but we know we’re tracking in a really exciting direction,” said Roper. “There are a huge number of teams operating at a high level at the moment - but we’re one of them, and there’s a lot of belief in the group that we can go and do something special in Paris.”

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