AS GREAT Britain's hockey team makes its final preparations ready to challenge for Olympic glory, Hampshire's very own GB representative Rob Moore has spoken of the need to develop the game in schools.

Tomorrow GB open their Athens Olympic campaign against Egypt but will also meet Spain, Korea, Germany and Pakistan in a challenging Pool A.

The team, currently ranked eighth in the world, has an "outside medal hope" according to former Trojans player Moore who currently turns out for Teddington in the National League.

But they will be hard pushed to match the Olympic gold medal-winning team of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Sean Kerly's men captured the nation's imagination and Moore is hoping that the same situation may be replicated - as long as the game continues to be played in schools.

Speaking before the team left for Athens, the 23-year-old striker said: "The game is strong at the top clubs but there are not many places like that.

"It is thought of as more of a girl's sport is state schools - most people really come through the club scheme now.

"The clubs are very important but it would be nice to see both schools and clubs playing it. It's not as popular as football and rugby.

Moore, from Colden Common, near Winchester, played his school hockey at the independent King Edward VI School in Southampton.

"Playing for them was important initially as I got spotted and asked to go to the under 21s trials," he added.

"I cannot see the game going professional but if something like 1988 was to happen again then it could happen."