Hockey Wales and GB Hockey immediately introduced that Rupert Shipperley has retired from worldwide hockey, bringing the curtain down on an excellent profession that spanned over a decade and two Olympic Video games.
Born in Cwmbran, Shipperley made his senior Wales debut on 13 Could 2014 and went on to develop into probably the most capped Welsh hockey gamers of his technology, amassing greater than 150 mixed worldwide caps for Wales and Nice Britain.
A skilful and dynamic midfielder and ahead, he was famend for his potential to safe the ball in tight areas and create hazard across the opposition circle.
Shipperley represented Nice Britain at each the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Video games, the latter of which noticed GB attain the quarter-finals. He was named vice-captain of the GB squad for the 2023/24 FIH Professional League sequence and served as co-captain of the Wales males’s facet for the 2025/26 season which was a mirrored image of the management and expertise he introduced to each squad he represented.
Away from the pitch, Shipperley famously left a profession as a geography instructor to pursue his hockey ambitions, a call that two Olympic appearances greater than vindicated.
Shipperley spent the ultimate chapter of his membership profession at Hampstead & Westminster, the place he was a key determine within the Males’s England Hockey League.
Talking on his retirement, Shipperley stated: “After 12 unforgettable years, the time has come for me to announce my retirement from worldwide hockey, representing each Wales and Nice Britain.
“There have been so many particular moments alongside the best way, and I really feel extremely lucky to have achieved a lot of my desires by means of worldwide hockey. However greater than something, I’ll cherish the friendships, the shared experiences, and the privilege of being a part of such tight-knit teams.
“Captaining Wales for the final six years has been one of many best honours of my profession, and having the chance to captain Nice Britain is one thing I’ll all the time be extremely happy with. I’ll by no means take without any consideration what it meant to be a part of these teams, or to play alongside a few of the finest gamers Wales and GB have produced.
“To each teammate, coach, employees member, member of the family, good friend and supporter who has been a part of this journey , thanks.”
Hockey Wales CEO Paul Whapham stated: “Rupert has been an excellent ambassador for Welsh hockey, and his contribution to each Wales and Nice Britain can’t be overstated. Competing at two Olympic Video games is a exceptional achievement, however it’s his management, consistency and professionalism that go away a long-lasting legacy. He has impressed gamers throughout Wales, and we thank him for his unimaginable service and want him each success for the long run.”
GB Hockey’s males’s Head Coach, Zak Jones, stated: “Having recognized Rupert since he was 13 years previous and having coached him in numerous environments all through his profession, it has been an actual privilege to have watched his journey from close-up.
“Not solely was Rupert an outstanding athlete however somebody who all the time introduced an infectious enthusiasm and vitality to on daily basis and each session. He made a major contribution to the event of the Nice Britain males’s facet all through his time and his management, talent, dedication and positivity shone by means of in every thing he did.
“Rupert represented Staff GB at two Olympics the place his qualities as an excellent human being mixed along with his athleticism, physicality and hockey information resulted in him to turning into an inspirational member of the lads’s management group.
“On behalf of myself and everybody at GB Hockey, I wish to thank Rupert for his immense contribution to the shirt and want him all the perfect, firstly, for his marriage to Freya this summer time and for regardless of the subsequent thrilling chapter holds.”
