Dixon has Games medal in his sights

Hockey star Adam Dixon is aiming for another medal after being selected for the Commonwealth Games England squad.

The 31-year-old former Newark Hockey Club player is part of an 18-strong squad who will take part on the Gold Coast in Australia next month.

He was selected after impressing for Great Britain last week as they secured silver in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

They finished second in the group stage with some impressive performances, but lost 2-1 to Australia in the final.

Dixon said he was excited about what would be his third and possibly final Commonwealth Games.

“As this is my third time it will be less about the experience and more about coming back with some decent silverware,” he said.

“I know what to expect with the profile of the event and all the people who you might bump into around the village.

“It is likely to be my last Commonwealth Games so to win a medal and make it special would be what I am looking for.”

England have been drawn in Pool B along with India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Wales.

The first match is on April 6.

Dixon believes the squad is in a strong position to improve on the bronze achieved at Glasgow 2014.

'It is looking positive'

“We are in the place we have been in for quite a long time with big strides taken off the field around our culture and what we expect from each other,” he said.

“It is a healthy environment and we are able to have honest conversations with each other without fear of backlash.

“Often it is difficult to see how that translates on the pitch when we are playing hockey but we are definitely playing with more confidence.

“The silver in Malaysia was a very good achievement. We didn’t go with the intention of winning but more as preparation for the Commonwealths so it is looking positive.”

Dixon, who has more than 200 international caps, hopes his experience can help the younger players.

“My role is to bring a bit of calmness and advice because at an event like this there is a lot going on,” he said.

“There are a lot of distractions and it can be a bit overwhelming so I want to do my bit on and off the field.”

Dixon said the group stage would provide challenges, but believes they can replicate or even better their bronze medal from four years ago.

“India could cause us problems but if we can get through that then we have an excellent chance to do well,” he said.

“We are also building towards the World Cup in December so how we show improvement could be as equally important as how we do.

“However it would be great to get a medal.”