Scottish team hockey captain Forsyth still hasn't forgotten Tokyo snub

TIM Scotland hockey captain Alan Forsyth says he will never forget his loss in Tokyo last year as he prepares to lead his country in his fourth Commonwealth Games wrote Alec McQuarrie.

Forsyth, who was only selected as a reserve for last summer’s Olympics, is still badly hit by the decision and may face his GB team-mates in Birmingham later this month.

But the Paisley-born forward is set to shine in Scottish colors ahead of this summer’s Olympics, where they face a group full of quality like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan.

And the 30-year-old has earned the confidence of a squad full of young and talented players.

Forsyth said: “This is probably the toughest group of four for me. All world class teams.

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“This is a very interesting team and a young squad. It makes me feel old seeing all the young people coming.

“I remember it was me and sometimes I still think it was me. I need to realize it’s definitely not. I will try and help them in any way possible.”

But going to the Olympics, being left out of last summer’s Olympics still strikes nerves with HGC players.

He said: “I will never understand why they made their decision.

“This is the competitive side of me. Maybe when the time comes, when I hang up the stick I can look back, but right now I’m very competitive.

“With anything I play, whether it’s golfing with my friends on the weekends or playing board games with my boyfriend, there’s always that side of me.

“Honestly, I’m still disappointed. I’ll never get over it.

“It’s something I’ll always hold on to, but I’m just trying to learn to live with it.

“Fortunately, I had time to rest. I need time to try to work it out.

“I took a break over Christmas, the first time I had a break in my hockey career, about six weeks off. That’s great and definitely helps.”

This summer, Team Scotland, backed by funds raised by the National Lottery players, will consist of over 250 athletes, and after securing his place in the squad, Forsyth is looking for medal success.

With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games set to inspire people and communities across the country this summer, Forsyth hopes sharing her story will motivate others to get involved in the sport and turn their dreams into reality.

Fortunately, a welcome distraction is imminent for a captain who has many fond memories to look back on.

The Scot made his Commonwealth debut in Dehli in 2010, and has an autographed top from his first Commonwealth Games framed on his bedroom wall and says it will always be his favorite – even before Glasgow 2014.

“I love every part of Delhi. Everything is just real.

“Obviously with it being my first, it’s very special.

“I have a signed top from all three Commonwealth Games, but it’s the only one that’s framed and hung.”

Prior to last summer, Forsyth made the decision to move from Surbiton HC where he has been for seven years to HGC in the Netherlands.

And although Wassenaar’s side were eliminated in this year’s play-off semifinals, Forsyth, whose father Derek is Scotland’s head coach, is happy with the change.

“Honestly it was amazing. It’s been very good. Even though the finish might not be what I wanted, the play-offs were great.

“So many people came and watched. The atmosphere and development is brilliant.

“Even the training week leading up to the first game, I’ve never experienced anything like that. The buzz around the club, the buzz around the team.

“I loved every minute of it.”

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