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 An alumni of Kingston University has discussed the mental hurdles of professional hockey and the great experience of participating at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.



Will Calnan, who earned his MBA from Kingston in 2020, competed for England on the bronze-medal winning men's hockey team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.


Will said that winning the international multi-sport competition every four years for athletes from Commonwealth countries was the pinnacle of his athletic career. "Perhaps this is the closest I'll get to an Olympic Games held in my own country. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was the daily support I received from the crowd "And he went on to say.


Since 2018, the 26-year-old has played for both the England and Great Britain national teams, in addition to his club, Hampstead & Westminster. The striker scored 10 goals in five games for England's U21 squad in the 2017 European Championships, and then scored twice for England's senior side at the 2018 World Cup, his first big international competition.


Will Calnan, a former hockey player with the Kingston Frontenacs, is seen here.

At the time he enrolled at Kingston to study business management, Will was already a member of many national teams.

The University graduate's brilliant athletic career has been punctuated by both triumph and tragedy, including the crushing disappointment of being left off the squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and having to make the trip as a reserve player.


"I put in the hours of training and had to be prepared in case somebody got hurt and couldn't participate; this included riding my bike in a heat chamber to become used to the heat before we left. When you put in so much effort and don't get to reap the rewards of playing in front of an audience, it may be frustrating."


Athlete concedes that there are psychological risks inherent in highly competitive sports. "Unfortunately, the sporting world isn't a place where success is guaranteed, and that's not easy to accept. There are incredible highs, but there are also a lot of times when you don't get the medal you deserved or don't make the team despite all the hard work and preparation you put in."


When Will came to Kingston, he was already a seasoned hockey player, having represented his country and played for both Hampstead and Westminster. He enrolled in the university's Sports Performance Programme, which helps student athletes like himself maintain a healthy work/life balance while pursuing their athletic goals.


"The program's director, Jo Heath, was quite helpful. It was also a fantastic opportunity to connect with other exceptional athletes going through tough times "That's what he had to say, he clarified.


Will looks back on his time as a student and member of the University's men's hockey team with fondness. "My stay at Kingston was fantastic. Having the opportunity to interact with and learn from students and professors from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds was a major highlight of my academic career. Some of my closest friends to this day are folks I met at that event "This is what he had to say, he explained. "I had a wonderful private instructor in Smirti Kutaula. Without her help, I don't think I would have been able to finish college since she advised me on how to balance schoolwork with my athletic obligations."


The Kingston grad also offered some guidance to up-and-coming players. You should know exactly what you want out of the sport you're doing, he advised. When you have clear goals in mind, you can focus on how to get there.


Dr. Smirti Kutaula, an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Resource Management at Kingston University and Will's mentor, remarked that his successes were evidence of his integrity. Will was the kind of kid that put in extra effort and worked hard on his athletic and academic pursuits. She stated, "I have no doubt his tale is an inspiration to many, and his victory at the Commonwealth Games is a terrific example of fighting through obstacles and not giving up."


Will's hockey season in 2023 will begin in January with the Hockey World Cup and end in August with the EuroHockey Championships. His long-term goal is to be selected for the 2024 Summer Olympics team in Paris.


Discover more about Will Calnan's hockey history.

Learn more about Kingston University's Business Management program.