Rhys Payne

Rhys Payne
Personal information
Born (2001-06-07) 7 June 2001 (age 25)
Sport
SportField hockey
PositionGoalkeeper
Senior career
Years Team Caps Goals
2019–2025 Cardiff & Met - -
National team
Years Team Caps Goals
2021– Wales 4 -
Medal record
Representing  Wales
European Championship II
Gold medal – first place2025 LousadaTeam

Rhys Payne (born 7 June 2001) is a Welsh field hockey player who has represented Wales. In 2025, he won a gold medal at the European Championship II.

Biography

Payne was educated at Cardiff and Vale College where he was part of the Welsh U19s. He then studied Sports Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University from 2019 to 2023. While at university he played club hockey for Cardiff & Met Hockey Club in the Men's England Hockey League.

He made his Welsh debut against Malaysia on 12 October 2021 and was part of the Welsh team at the 2023 World Cup, which was the first time in their history that Wales had appeared in the world Cup. He sustained a knee injury during the World Cup which left him out of Welsh international hockey for two years.

During his injury recovery he helped coach the Cardiff & met team. On his return in 2025, he helped Wales win the gold medal at the European Championship II, defeating Ireland in the final.

References

  1. ↑ "Rhys Payne". Hockey Wales. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Cardiff and Vale College student Rhys to represent Wales in hockey". Cardiff and Vale College. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Rhys Payne". FIH. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "2023 World Cup in India highlights Wales' international student offer3 Eurohockey Championships". Study in Wales.ac.uk. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Hoci Cymru Announce Senior Men's Squad for FIH Nations Cup 2025". Hockey Wales. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Wales men beat Ireland in EuroHockey II final shootout". BBC Sport. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "EuroHockey Championship II 2025 Men". FIH. Retrieved 8 August 2025.