HOCKEY player Ben Carless will be competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.

The 23-year-old former Ludlow Hockey Club player has been picked for the 16-man Team Wales squad for the prestigious event.

Ben has already played two warm-up matches against Scotland at the Commonwealth Games venue.

The Carless family live in Wistanstow, near Craven Arms and Ben’s parents, Simon and Jean and brother Luke, cannot wait for the hockey to start.

“Ben started playing his senior hockey at the age of 17 and he feels like his time has come,” said dad, Simon.

“He will be pitting his wits at the Commonwealth Games against Australia – the world’s best team, South Africa and the host nation, Scotland, in the group stage.

“Ben is an attacking back and should bring some options to the Welsh team,” added Simon.

Ben played for the Wales age-group teams from under-16 to under-21 level and joined the senior squad in 2008.

He has just completed his masters degree in mechanical engineering at Bath University.

The former Wistanstow Primary School and Church Stretton School pupil now plays his domestic hockey for Bath Buccaneers in the National Hockey competition.

Ben works for Dyson, based in Bath, in the company’s design and innovation department.

Simon said: “Ben worked so hard to get into this team and he has also worked very hard at university, so we are very proud of him.

“Ben has kept his place in the side since 2008 and this will be the biggest competition in which he has played,” said Simon.

“He has played at the World Cup in New Zealand but he is so thrilled to have made the squad for the Commonwealth Games.

Simon is planning to watch all of Ben’s matches at the Commonwealth Games and Roger Furniss, from Ludlow Hockey Club, will also be travelling. Wales play their opening match of the competition on Friday, July 25.