A FOURTEEN-year-old student from Haslingden High School got the chance to play hockey against teams from Portugal and France at an International Youth Sports Festival.

Year 9 student Nick Wheeler plays hockey for Bury Jaguars and they entered a team in the youth festival which was held in Portugal.

Nick said: “Last year Bury hosted the festival, and each year it is held in a different place. Next year it will be in Italy and I am hoping to be able to go again.

“We tried our hardest but unfortunately we did not win our matches although we enjoyed playing in a different country. It was very hot though.”

Nick attends PE teacher Nikki Mongan’s Tuesday hockey club and on his teacher’s advice he joined Bury Jaguars 18 months ago.

He said: “Hockey must have been my hidden talent. I play centre back and left back and I would like to take it up professionally.”

The festival has been an annual event since 2000 where Bury with its twin and friendship towns come together to compete in sporting competitions and share in each others’ culture for four days. Teams from Germany, France and Portugal are involved.

At the festival a variety of sports are played including basketball, football, volleyball and tennis.