Seventeen-year-old defender Niall Thomas plays inline hockey for the Wigan Warlords team in a sport which is essentially ice hockey but on inline skates, played out on a hockey rink.

Since taking up the sport at the age of four, Niall has played the sport in Canada, Germany and France and been a national and regional champion at U12, U14, U15 and U16 levels.

However there is still one honour that eludes the former Parklands High School pupil.

He said: "I really want to push myself to get a place in the Great Britain inline hockey team.

"Last year I was first reserve for the GB team after Wigan had finished runners-up in the Puck Association National Championships.

"The coaches use the nationals as a chance to look at the players and to see who they should pick for the GB squad.

"Some of my team-mates made the squad and I didn't which was a bit annoying so I want to use the nationals to put my hand up to be picked."

Along with his Wigan Warlords team-mates, the Runshaw College student is heading for a domestic double after winning the British Inline Puck Hockey Association National Championship at U16 level in July.

However Niall admits they have a tough route to the final.

He said: "If we win all our games we know we will face Sheffield in the semi-final and they are like the Chelsea of inline hockey with the best players.

"But it is a one-off game and anything could happen. We have to remember we still have one year to win it after these championships as we are competing against more experienced players."

Niall took up the sport 13 years ago and still gets the same adrenalin rush as when he first began.

He said: "I think it is a great sport as your co-ordination has to be the best at all times as you have to worry about skating and also running with the ball or puck.

"It is different to other sports as there are so many things for you to worry about."

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