Toby Lipatti-Mesme

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Email the studio

The Beautiful South

Don't Marry Her

Listen Live Podcasts

Ripon hockey star selected to represent England at World Cup

Thursday, 27 November 2025 12:59

Local hockey star Minnie Pollock.

A local hockey star has been selected to represent England at the U21 Women's Hockey World Cup.

Minnie Pollock, from Ripon, has been named in the England U21 Women’s Hockey Team for the upcoming FIH Women’s Junior World Cup.

It starts in Santiago, Chile, next week and will run from 1st–13th December.

Minnie, who currently plays for the University of Nottingham, is part of a competitive squad selected to represent England at one of the most prestigious tournaments in junior hockey.

Her call-up follows a strong record of performances at domestic, university and age-group international level.

Minnie first picked up a hockey stick at Thirsk Hockey Club, and her interest in the sport grew steadily during her years at Cundall Manor School.

Staff there recall both her enthusiasm and her involvement across several sports.

Head of Girls’ Sport, Lou Bessey, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Minnie’s achievements. She represented Cundall in a variety of disciplines — from the ISA Swimming Finals in the Olympic pool in London to winning at Loretto Hockey Tournaments and helping the U15s reach the U16 National Finals.

“It was fantastic to watch her skills develop.”

During her time at Cundall, Pollock progressed rapidly through the England Hockey performance pathway.

She gained selection for the County squad, the Talent Academy, and later the England U13 Lions and England U16 National Age Group Squads — all before the age of 14.

Her journey has since been followed by current Cundall pupil Alistair Broadwith, now part of the England U16 set-up, along with two other pupils currently playing in the Sheffield Talent Academy squad.

After completing her A levels at Repton School, Pollock continued her hockey development in the United States with the University of Virginia, representing the Virginia Cavaliers Field Hockey Team.

She has since returned to the UK and is studying International Media and Communications at the University of Nottingham while continuing to compete at an elite level.

More from Local News

Festive concert raises whopping £6,000 for Henshaws

A festive concert has raised more than £6,000 to support people living with sight loss and disabilities across Yorkshire.
Harrogate school relaunches award for most eco-friendly class

A Harrogate primary school has relaunched its weekly eco award as part of a wider push to encourage pupils to adopt more environmentally friendly habits.
Ripon opticians welcome food donations for people in need this Christmas

An opticians in Ripon is preparing to bring joy to those in need this Christmas by acting as a collection point for Ripon Community House.
Reshuffle of North Yorkshire Council committees set to take place next year

A reshuffle of North Yorkshire Council's committees following the Conservative-led group’s loss of its majority may not take place until next year.
Tom Gordon MP: The Budget has failed Harrogate and Knaresborough

Local MP Tom Gordon has slammed the Autumn Budget as 'another missed opportunity to deliver' for communities and businesses.
New funding secured to bring fresh community events to Knaresborough

Chain Lane Community Hub has announced that funding has been secured to support the development of new free-to-attend events in Knaresborough.
Frazer Theatre to host exclusive early screening of Christmas film featuring Knaresborough

Frazer Theatre in Knaresborough is set to host an exclusive early screening of new Christmas film Tinsel Town, which was partly filmed in the town earlier this year.
Stallholders flock to Harrogate for Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair

A large number of stallholders will flock to Harrogate today (Thursday) for the return of The Great Yorkshire Christmas Fair.
St John Fishers to close tomorrow due to gas issue

St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) following an issue linked to gas works, the school has confirmed.
Harrogate jeweller continues Christmas tradition of extra time off

A Harrogate jewellery retailer is giving colleagues the gift of time with loved ones this Christmas.
By-election result will restore "stability and calm" at Ripon City Council, claims councillor

A by-election result will bring “stability and calm” back to Ripon City Council, the leader of the winning candidate’s political group has claimed.
North Yorkshire's mayor welcomes 'landmark' budget and new tourism tax powers

York and North Yorkshire’s elected mayor has welcomed the ‘biggest landmark budget in decades’ amid a promise of investment for the region.
Step back into Christmas: Harrogate care home to host festive nostalgia event

A Harrogate care home is embracing the yuletide season by opening its doors for a special reminiscence event.
Ripon volunteers wrap 32-foot gritter in giant Christmas jumper

A Ripon community group has dressed a 32-foot gritter in a hand-knitted Christmas jumper to signal the start of the city's festive celebrations.
New pizzeria opens on Cheltenham Parade

A new independent pizzeria has opened its doors on Cheltenham Parade, bringing "authentic Italian flavours" to the heart of Harrogate.
Harrogate video production firm bags regional entrepreneur award

Harrogate-based video production company Reel Film has been named a winner at the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Chancellor's Budget must deliver 'real change' for Harrogate and Knaresborough, says local MP

Local MP Tom Gordon has said that the Chancellor "must deliver real change" in Harrogate and Knaresborough ahead of today's Budget.
"New political landscape" emerges as Conservative group loses majority

Opposition councillors say a "new political landscape" is emerging in North Yorkshire after the Conservative-led group on the unitary authority lost its majority.
Christmas is coming: Rudfarlington Farm switches on big Christmas tree

Rudfarlington Farm has officially signalled the start of the festive season after switching on its big Christmas tree on Wetherby Road.
Kevin Sinfield to run through Harrogate district as part of epic fundraising challenge

Kevin Sinfield will run through the Harrogate district next week as part of an epic fundraising challenge to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).