Eighteen year-old Croesyceiliog School pupil Danielle Jordan has been picked to represent Wales at hockey in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She has been juggling training with revising for her A-levels.

Danielle, who lives in Llanyrafon, said: “It has been incredibly hard trying to make the Commonwealth Games team and balancing it with my school work. I made the decision at the start of the year that I wanted to give everything I could to get to the Games because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Unfortunately I think my grades may have suffered but that’s the risk I took because I wanted it so much.

“It has been almost impossible to manage all year because I play my club hockey in Clifton who train twice a week. We can be travelling as far as Manchester or Leicester for games on the weekends. I also follow a strength and conditioning programme and have squad training on the weekends. I do my own skill sessions so it has been intense and very hard in school when I have been really tired.

“The last few months have been particularly stressful because it’s been the culmination stage of both school and hockey. We had a lot of matches and training camps leading up to selection and so I missed a lot of revision for my mocks and much of the time I’d work through lunch in school to fit it in with training. I worked in nearly every free period I had in school throughout the year which was hard but I had to do it. I haven’t had a social life!”

Team Wales meet each other in Cardiff

“Last week (Wednesday 11 June) there was a Team Wales send off for all the Commonwealth Athletes. The athletes received their kit and had profile photos and we were all addressed by the Chef de Mission and important people in Team Wales and the captain was announced.

“We could bring two guests and they were all invited to a talk on how to support us as athletes during the Games and given an insight into what life would be like for us. Then we had team photos, including one with friends and family and we sang Calon Lan and the national anthem. Afterwards there was a drinks reception, so it was a nice fun afternoon to get a feel for the team as a whole.”

Danielle Jordan first played hockey after starting at Croesyceiliog School

“I started playing hockey when I began at Croesyceiliog School in year seven when I was eleven years old. My PE teacher, Rachel Pryce really inspired me, I wouldn’t have done it without her. I progressed through the county and played for the schools under 16 and 18 teams from year eight. I didn’t start playing club hockey until I was 13 with Gwent and from there I moved to Penarth for two years and began playing for Wales under 16s and under 18s. When I was called up to the Welsh senior team at 16, I moved clubs again to Clifton as they play in the English Premier League.

“My family and friends are all absolutely over the moon. My parents are extremely supportive and have encouraged me the whole time. When the squad was selected we had to keep it a secret for two days so when I could finally tell everyone it was amazing. I have genuinely been overwhelmed by all the support and messages I have had. I received many cards, even some from family friends I haven’t met before.

“Everyone has been really excited for me which makes me feel so proud. It all means a lot and it will be helpful I’m sure, when I am in Glasgow.”

Rachel Pryce is Danielle Jordan’s PE teacher

Rachel Pryce, Danielle’s PE teacher, said: “I found out that Danielle was going on the day of the offical Hockey Wales announcement. I was refreshing Twitter constantly to see who had made the squad. Having watched Danielle play for Wales against Canada, I was confident that she was good enough to make the squad, even if she was a bit unsure herself.

“Danielle was allowed to tell me at 10am that day which was during our A-Level PE lesson. I was so proud of her as she has had to make some huge sacrifices in order to acheive her goals. Danielle has always been totally committed to hockey at school and for her clubs of Gwent, Penarth and now Clifton.

“The school’s reaction has been fantastic. Danielle is such a role model to the younger girls in the school and also those girls who are already in under 18 squads as they can see that playing for Wales in the Commonwealth Games is a realistic target for them and that this can lead to further opportunities.

“Danielle will now star on the school’s new website and we will all follow her keenly when the Games begins in a few weeks time. A number of staff have tickets to the games and Danielle will be well supported.”

Buy tickets for the Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games are in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August. To buy tickets visit the Glasgow 2014 website.