Benjamin Francis (field hockey)

Benjamin Francis

Personal information
Born	(1996-03-20) 20 March 1996 (age 29) Wales
Playing position	Forward
Senior career
Years	Team
2016–2017	Exeter Univ
2017–2018	Reading
2018–2019	Crefelder
2019–2026	Wimbledon
National team
Years	Team	Caps	Goals
2015–	Wales	120
Medal record Representing   Wales European Championship II 2025 Lousada Team

Benjamin Francis (born 20 March 1996) is a Welsh field hockey player who has represented Wales. He competed for Wales at two Commonwealth Games.

Biography

Francis played club hockey for Swansea Bay Hockey Club and went on to gain caps for Wales at U16, U18 and U21 level. ^[1] He studied Economics at the University of Exeter, where he played club hockey for the University of Exeter Hockey Club. ^[2]

He made his full Welsh debut against Scotland in 2015 and won a silver medal at the 2017 Sultan of Johor Trophy ^[1] before joining Reading Hockey Club in the Men's England Hockey League. ^[1] While at Reading in 2018, he was selected to represent the Welsh team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. ^[3]

After playing in Dutch league for Crefleder, Francis joined Wimbledon for the 2019–20 season. ^[4]

Francis was selected to represent Wales again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, ^{[5] [6]} helping his nation to a sixth place finish during the men's tournament after being defeated by New Zealand in the fifth place play off match on 7 August 2022. ^[7]

In 2023, Francis 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. ^[8] Additionally he was part of the Welsh team that played at the 2023 Men's EuroHockey Championship. ^[9]

In 2025, he helped Wales win the gold medal at the European Championship II, defeating Ireland in the final. ^{[10] [11]}

References

1. "Ben Francis". Hockey Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
2. "Hockey Club Alumni". University of Exeter. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
3. "Commonwealth Games 2018: Meet Team Wales heading to Australia's Gold Coast". BBC Sport. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
4. "Hockey transfers 2019/20: Latests ins and outs in English Premier Divisions". The Hockey Paper. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
5. "Hockey Wales 2022 Commonwealth Games squads". South West Sports News. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
6. "Hockey Commonwealth Games 2022: Wales select 'incredibly competitive' squads". The Hockey Paper. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
7. "Commonwealth Games: Hockey - Men results". BBC Sport. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
8. "2023 World Cup in India highlights Wales' international student offer3 Eurohockey Championships". Study in Wales.ac.uk. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
9. "Wales Men Win Euro Qualifiers To Secure Sport At 2023 Eurohockey Championships". Hockey Wales. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
10. "Wales men beat Ireland in EuroHockey II final shootout". FBBC Sport. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
11. "EuroHockey Championship II 2025 Men". FIH. Retrieved 7 August 2025.