Nick Bandurack: England hockey star living proof that good things come to those who wait
The 30-year-old forward had to wait nine years for his international debut, but with 21 goals in 23 appearances he has quickly evolved into one of his country's most feared weapons at the Hockey World Cup in India.
When England hockey star Nick Bandurak was interviewed by his new Ryde Hockey Club teammates in 2014, he was asked which phrase he would have tattooed on his body. His answer was perhaps more revealing than he even realised at the time.
“Remember and respect the past, consolidate your present achievements and be adventurously ambitious for the future,” he said.
At the time, Bandurak was an under-21 international and had represented England’s youth teams at all age levels. It looked for all the world that a successful career in the senior squad was close to becoming a reality.
But almost a decade later, the Wolverhampton-raised forward had yet to make his full international debut as he watched as friends and colleagues around him graduated to the senior ranks.
“For nine years I was on the outside looking in,” Bandurak told Team GB before he flew out for the Hockey World Cup that is taking place in India between 13 and 29 January. “There were times - and I would never outwardly admit it - that I believed my chance had gone.”
Nick Bandurak: Making up for lost time
It was in February 2022 that Bandurak finally made his full international debut, and it marked the beginning of a realisation of those adventurous ambitions he held for the future.
Over a whirlwind 12 months, he has gone from England debutant to Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and now has his sights on a first World Cup triumph in the history of his country.
The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - the first major international tournament he had ever played in - were more than a breakout moment for the English striker.
After netting an incredible 11 goals, Bandurak ended the tournament as the top goalscorer, ahead of many players with years of international experience.
However, rather than getting carried away with his own success, Bandurak showed the sort of humility perhaps reserved for those who have had to go through so many setbacks to achieve their goals.
“It’s just my job,” he told Yahoo Sports. “Everyone’s got important roles within the team, I just happen to be putting the ball in the goal, it’s no different to anyone else it just results in it working to our favour on the scoreboard.”
Nick Bandurak: Adventurously ambitious for a future shot at Paris 2024
After proving himself on the international stage in Birmingham, Bandurak was selected to go to his first World Cup tournament in India this January, and hit the ground running by scoring from the bench in England’s 5-0 thrashing of Wales in the first group match.
He was once again selected as a substitute in their 0-0 draw against India but has the chance to take his nation through to the quarterfinals should he add to his goal tally of 21 goals from 23 games against Spain on Thursday 19 January.
Now at 30 years old, Bandurak can begin to dream about another goal that just months ago would have seemed fanciful after his decade-long wait for an international call-up: The Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“To go to the Olympics in Paris would be surreal,” he told Team GB. “What’s served me really well is staying present but you can't not be aware of the Olympics.”
But before he can set his mind on the next Olympics in France, he is fully focused on consolidating his present, starting with showing the best of himself at this World Cup in India.
“There’s a lot of improvement for me to make personally, in order to get to that level and have an impact on that stage,” he said of the next two years that include the World Cup and Paris 2024. “The goalposts moved the morning after we won bronze in Birmingham and the focus was on the World Cup. That's why we love this game, and I’m enjoying the ride like you wouldn’t believe.”