Mai has been working hard revising and completing her school GCSE mock exams. She has done well in them so far. We have been visiting potential colleges and she has been offered and accepted a place on her chosen Sport & Sports Science course. She is super pleased and looking forward to studying it next year.
Mai has continued to train hard with her 4 teams – Jets U16 Mixed, Ice Bees U16 girls, Fire Bees WNIHL1 and Guildford Lightning Elite. We have been travelling up and down the country competing in league games. All of her teams are placing well in the league tables. Mai scored her 1st elite goal during a game in Whitley Bay on 30th September. The game was streamed live on YouTube (Mai’s goal is at 1:06:15).
The commentator commented; ‘Mai Sullivan scored with pin point accuracy and went top shelf. There was no way Megan (net minder) was going to save that, high above the blocker’.
In October Mai successfully completed her 2nd GB trial which was held at Sheffield ice arena. The 3rd trial being held at Lee Valley ice centre on 21st December. She is competing against the top U16 players in the country. Once the team has been selected, I believe sometime in late January after the January trials, they will be travelling to Holland to compete in a tournament in early May.
Last week Mai really enjoyed attending a Power Edge Pro training event held at Ozone Hockey in Bracknell. The event was lead by Joe Quinn who is a very well respected coach, President and Founder of PEP. He was voted number 1 coach in the world by Hockey News. He has worked with some of the worlds most talented players such as Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, Jack Hughes and other NHL stars. There were several other top tier coaches there too. Mai was 1 of 3 girls who took part in the U16s/U18s group and she loved every minute of it. She said it was fast paced and challenging, just as she likes it. The Canadian Women’s team coach commented on how well she did and said that she should really consider playing abroad in the future.
The support we have received from the Dylan Howells Foundation has been a huge help. It has enabled Mai to continue to train and compete even after our household income was majorly impacted when I was diagnosed with long covid, which still affects me now. I cannot tell you how much it means to us as a family to have your continued support. If there is anything we can do for the Foundation please do let us know.
Moving into the New Year, Mai wants to continue developing and playing her very best for her teams and her country. Mai wants to continue to grow as a player and as a person building life long memories.
