Aleasha Holder is captain of Stroud’s ladies’ 1st XI and insists she is perfectly placed to call the shots as a game unfolds.

The 39-year-old plays in goal and far from seeing that as a disadvantage she said: “From my position I have the best view on the pitch, you can see everything.

“I’m extremely vocal during games, the girls can always hear me calling out, we communicate from the back to the front.”

Holder is in her first season as captain of the club’s flagship team – like their second team they play in Severn Division One of the West Clubs’ Women’s League – having had previous experience as skipper of the club’s 2nd XI.

“I give a pre-match talk and a half-time talk,” continued Holder, “but they know what they need to do, the message is out there.”

Holder has taken over from Lucy Moule as captain – Moule is playing for Yate this season – and she said it was a role she was happy to take on.

Holder first played for the club a day before her 30th birthday and she said: “I felt confident because I’d been at the club for a while. The team asked me to do it so that was good as well.”

So what makes a good captain?

“I think you’ve got to be fair, open and approachable,” she said. “I think it’s very important to enjoy the game – we have players as young as 14 and sometimes you can also have players who are 60 to 70.”

Originally from Dursley, Holder had a 12-year break from hockey after her school days at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s and Rednock and her college days at what was then Gloscat.

“I’ve never looked back,” she said of her return to the game and while that is clearly the case it’s also fair to say that she is also looking forward.

“Any team at our level wants promotion,” she said. “We’d love to go up to North Division but at the moment we’re a fairly new team.

“We’re pushing and promoting quite a few youngsters and they’re coming together really well. This season I think we’re comfortable in our division but next season we’ll definitely be looking to push for promotion.”

And if and when they do get to a higher level, there is every chance that Holder, who lives in Wotton-under-Edge, will continue to be their last line of defence.

“I’d like to think I’ve got a few more years left,” she said. “But when I do stop playing I want to stay involved, maybe umpiring or coaching, I’d look to do something with the club.”

And by that time her five-year-old son Riley should be playing the great game that is hockey.

“He’s eager to start now,” laughed mum, “but he’ll have to wait a couple of years.”

Stroud ladies train every Wednesday at Wycliffe College from 7.30pm to 9pm. Anyone wanting to join the club should contact Aleasha Holder on 07816 519434.