HEREFORDSHIRE’S James Fortnam has reached the heights of the hockey ladder after gaining promotion to the Euro Hockey League with Cardiff and UWIC.

The 23-year-old plays as goalkeeper for the team, who have just made the step up from the Euro Hockey ‘B’ League.

“Getting to the Euro Hockey League (EHL) is amazing as it’s one of the best leagues in the world and it’s the best in Europe,” said Fortnam.

“It is mostly professional hockey teams in the EHL whereas we aren’t.

“The aim for next season will be to try and stay in the EHL which starts in October.

“There are different rounds of knockouts and a number of them will be shown on Eurosport and possibly Sky – so hopefully I will be on TV,” added the business development executive.

“There are only a handful of people that have ever played the game, so to have come from Hereford and to play in the EHL is amazing.

“I don’t think anyone in the county has played that standard before so I’m proud of having achieved that.

“There are only several lads that have played at National League level on a weekend,” added Fortnam, who is a talented batsman at Canon Frome Cricket Club.

The goalkeeper used to play his hockey at Leominster with Canon Frome team-mate Nico Evans.

“Leominster has a great youth section but we all went our separate ways to university, and most of the team I was with now play at a high standard,” said Fortnam.

“I got into the game at 13 years old at John Masefield High School.

“Tom Beard, who was in year 11 when I was in year seven at school, was England under-16 goalkeeper, and one day he wanted to play outfield, so I had a go in goal.

“I was pretty good at it and when the county coaches were watching, it all took off from there.

“I was playing in age groups above me at county level and then playing for Western England under-17s, British Colleges under-17s and 18s and the Welsh Universities.

“Whilst at university, we won eight competitions in four years – I don’t think I’ve played in a team that hasn’t been promoted for the last several years.

“I’m now hoping to get into the team for the EHL and get a starting place,” added the talented sportsman.

Despite the goalkeeper’s success, he doesn’t have any aspiration to play in the Olympics.

“It’s a long way to go,” said Fortnam.

“There are too many people set in their spots – the higher you go the more politics there are – in the sense that if you play at a fashionable club such as Cannock, Beeston or East Grinstead, then you get access to the big time.

“There is only so much you can do at some clubs. “With the Great Britain squad there are about six keepers that are at a great standard and I’m not at the same level as them. “They’re another class so there’s no chance of me getting into the England or GB team.

“I’ve never thought about trying to make it at any of these big clubs as the lads there are big names and they’ve obviously played junior level at England and GB, and it’s just a natural progression for them.

“I’m not a million miles away but it’s not really something I’m considering, as when you’re at uni that’s when you’re pushing for it and now I’ve finished,” added Fortnam, who travels back from his home in Cardiff to play cricket every weekend.

The goalkeeper’s career took a turn for the worse two years ago when he broke his leg.

“I had nine breaks in my leg and all the ligaments and tendons were ruined, so it’s just an achievement to be back playing sport,” admitted Fortnam.

“I never thought I’d get back to this level so I did surprise myself but I’m just glad to be playing again.

“The hockey training is intense as we have to do several hours every day.

“Sunday is the only time you might have a day off from the sport until Christmas when indoor hockey starts.

“It is a full-time commitment at university and it was almost like being a professional but without the money,” explained Fortnam.

With his team’s success, he said: “It was more luck that all the guys in my fresher year came to UWIC and because there were so many good players, it bumped up the uni’s standard.”

He added: “My girlfriend plays hockey for Wales and we have started living together so she has to stay put as the Commonwealth Games are in Glasgow next summer.

“She’ll be playing in that for Wales so she will need stay around for that but once it’s over, we might go travelling – maybe to Australia and try and play a bit of hockey out there.”