Maddie Goodman helped Wales Hockey to victory on her debut senior cap against Slovakia last weekend in the European qualifiers in Durham.

The 20-year-old set up a goal in the seventh minute, and then went on to get on the scoresheet herself with a stunning reverse hit into the top corner of the net in the 41st minute, which contributed to a 9-0 Welsh victory against their embattled opponents.

Goodman, who qualifies as a member of the Wales squad through her Llandrindod Wells-born mother Nicola (nee Rogers) was brought into the squad by Head Coach Kevin Johnson as a forward who would bring energy, pace and power to this part of the pitch.

Maddie Goodman
Maddie scoring against Slovakia (.)

Maddie said: “Although I had played for the Under 21 team in the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, I had no idea I was in contention for a spot in the senior squad.

Maddie continued: “We have a new coach at Loughborough University, and so I have been doing my best to keep my fitness levels up this summer, so that I could try to keep my place in the first team. So it seems that Wales have been keeping an eye on my fitness data, which I am required to report on a weekly basis which led to this call up.”

“I regularly visit Llandrindod to see my grandparents, Jim and Doreen Rogers, so I’m always proud to wear the dragon on my shirt, and was very pleased to score on my debut.”

In their second match, Wales improved on their performance in the Commonwealth Games, and this time only lost 3-0 against a strong England team.

However in an 8-0 victory against Croatia in their third and final game, Goodman contributed another goal, which led to her team gaining a silver medal in the competition. The fact that Wales claimed the second and silver position in the tournament means that next year Wales will play in the second tier (Division B) in European Hockey.

Also playing for Wales in the competition was another player with Mid Wales connections the very experienced Phoebe Richards, who originates from Knighton.