HUNDREDS of people inspired by the success of Team GB’s hockey teams in Rio took to the astroturf at Corsham and Chippenham to meet an Olympic champion.

The eyes of adoring fans lit up when they saw Alex Danson arrive in full Team GB kit and her weighty gold medal to encourage people of all ages take up the sport at this year’s HockeyFest.

The 31-year-old European and Olympic champion who started playing hockey in her mother’s back garden, played for a boys’ team and made her international debut aged sixteen said winning gold at Rio was a “dream come true.”

She said: “It was absolutely incredible and a huge team effort. We had no idea what was happening at home because we had completely switched off from social media and it wasn’t until after the final we realised how many people had watched it.

“It was such a fantastic game and I think nine and a half million people agreed with that! We obviously would have loved not to go to penalties but what a great spectacle it was to show off the sport.

“Winning the final to stand on the top of the podium and sing the national anthem was magic. It was a dream come true.”

The team’s top goal scorer at the Olympics joined the two clubs for this year’s HockeyFest which is a national event which aims to encourage new and old players to come together and celebrate the social side of joining a club.

“The whole point of HockeyFest is to try and open up the clubs and get as many people down, picking up a stick and showing them what the sport is all about,” Miss Danson said.

She added: “Get down to your local club which are usually run by volunteers and are always looking for people to get involved one way or another. You can also have a look on the England Hockey website as there are lots of different types of the game you can play – so there is something for everyone.”

Simon Candlin, chairman of Corsham Hockey Club, said he believed having Miss Danson attend HockeyFest had given some people confidence to join the club.

He said: “We have had lots of people who have never played or picked up a stick before and that is really positive.

“It is nice to see and I get the interest that is put through the website as the chairman and I have had maybe 20 juniors and about eight men’s contact over the last month which has shown an upsurge and I know the women have had some new contacts too.”

Building on the legacy of the sport from the last two Olympics, Corsham Hockey Club have said they are trying to be more visible in the community to encourage new members to come forward.

The success of the women’s team in Rio certainly had an effect on nine-year-old Charlie Skiggs who told his Olympic hero that he was going to join a club next week after going to Rio with his brother Billy and his parents.

Eleven-year-old Nina Stevenson also said she was encouraged to pick her stick back up after meeting Miss Danson.

“She is so cool and after watching her play, I am so excited that she is here. I am going to start playing hockey again soon!”

For more information about HockeyFest or to find your local club visit www.englandhockey.co.uk.