Lynx effect leads to Jodie's national call

The Clungunford youngster, of Shrewsbury Hockey Club, received the call-up after starring for her Mercian Lynx Midlands squad in the Futures Cup.

But despite excelling in her time at Ludlow Hockey Club and moving onto Shrewsbury, the 17-year-old harboured no hopes of ever becoming an international.

She said: "I never thought about it, because they're too good. I know a couple of the girls who have played it and I always thought 'I'm not as good as them.'

"I was so happy and really excited but I knew just how hard work it would be."

Beddow was the mainstay of her Lynx team as they enjoyed success in the Futures Cup, which is a national competition contested between four regions.

She added: "I finished top scorer with five goals and probably surprised myself. National coaches were watching and I got the call-up through that.

"Everyone's been really nice and supportive about it. There's a big difference between club and international play, though. Everyone is so fit.

"All of the girls have been on the programme before so they know the fitness aspect of it and they've all got a lot of stamina.

"I'm a midfield player at Shrewsbury but a forward with England because it's more about the short sprints and creating room for team-mates.

"In February, they cut the squad down from 34 down to 26 but I'm quite happy with how far I've got to already.

"Then that squad goes to Belgium and places like that to play and train."

Beddow went to school at Bedstone College before moving onto Hereford Sixth Form College last year and revealed it was not until she was 12 that she really started playing the game.

She admitted: "There was tiny bits at school but I couldn't play properly. I couldn't even stop the ball!

"Then when I was 12 my mum said that there were county trials and I just went along.

"Now I'm at Hereford and I have to fit it around free periods when I can. But the hockey at Hereford is a good standard.

"I left Ludlow because I wanted to progress as a player. A lot of people had left the club and it went a bit downhill.

"At Shrewsbury it was a big difference. Everyone wanted to play and progress which helps."

But she still gets down to Ludlow's training base at Moor Park School to lend a hand in a bid to boost her future ambitions, training with the men's side and helping coach the junior teams.

Beddow added: "I hope they enjoy my coaching. It helps me keep fit and is all part of my CV. I want to study physical education and coaching at university.

"I've had an offer from Worcester Uni and the hockey is really good there, but I'd quite like to go to Oxford Brookes because the standard there is so high.

"I want to focus on being a coach. When the British hockey is on I always watch and try and copy them but I know that I'll never be at their level."

Perhaps the talented teenager can carry on surprising herself in the New Year.