Sarah Thomas earns 2012 London Olympics hockey call

Sarah Thomas GB Women's Hockey squad

Sarah Thomas has been named as the only Welsh woman in Great Britain's hockey squad for the 2012 London Games.

Thomas, 31, will be involved in her second successive Olympics after playing at the 2008 Beijing Games.

She told BBC Radio Wales: "Being selected for Beijing was really special as well - my first Olympics.

"But to become a double Olympian is absolutely incredible, probably something I never thought I'd achieve, so it's the icing on the cake."

Thomas has played professionally in Holland, captained her country during a 15-year career, played in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and been part of the GB squad since 2003.

Aberdare-born Thomas grew up in Merthyr Tydfil and started playing at 13.

Six months later Thomas won her first Wales Under-16 cap.

A senior Wales cap came at the age of just 16 for the former Dowlais Ladies player.

Thomas and here team-mates are now targeting the London Games podium with confidence.

"I definitely believe we can [win medals]," said Thomas.

"We've shown that in our recent success in the Champions' Trophy, getting the silver medal and in the final of the [2012 Games] test event we won the gold against Argentina.

"So without doubt this team's going for a gold medal - that's how we train every day and that's the mentality we have."

Team GB women's hockey squad (born, home town, age):

Ashleigh Ball (Brighton, Cheltenham, 26)

Laura Bartlett (Glasgow, 23)

Crista Cullen (Boston, London, 26)

Alex Danson (Southampton, Odiham, 26)

Hannah Macleod (Huntingdon, 27)

Emily Maguire (Paisley, 23)

Anne Panter (Wellingborough, 28)

Helen Richardson (Hitchin, West Bridgford, 30)

Chloe Rogers (Great Dunmow, 27)

Beth Storry (Reading, 32)

Sarah Thomas (Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, 31)

Georgie Twigg (Lincoln, 21)

Laura Unsworth (Sutton Coldfield, 24)

Kate Walsh (Stockport, 32)

Sally Walton (Solihull, 27)

Nicola White (Oldham, 24)

Two reserve athletes are:

Natalie Seymour (Maidstone, 24)

Abi Walker (Glasgow, 30)