Paige Brooks from Sunderland has been selected to represent Team GB Lionesses at the Legends Ball Hockey World Championships 2026, taking place in Slovakia this summer.
The selection marks a significant milestone for Paige, a head nurse at mydentist Avalon House, who will compete on the international stage against elite teams including the USA and Canada. The tournament will be televised, providing unprecedented global exposure for women’s ball hockey.
Where it all began
Paige’s path to international competition began through a chance introduction to ball hockey from a friend. Already an accomplished ice hockey player for a local team, she decided to try a session and quickly fell in love with the sport. Since then, she has balanced both disciplines while maintaining her nursing role at mydentist Avalon House.
Overcoming adversity
Paige’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Last year, she suffered a torn ACL, which sidelined her for six months. However, through physiotherapy and sheer determination, she made a full recovery and returned to both sports stronger than before. Her resilience was rewarded when she was named assistant captain of her ice hockey team, a role she holds alongside her nursing responsibilities.
Paige comments: ‘It’s a huge honour and a privilege to represent Great Britain. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of. But it hasn’t been without its challenges – I’ve had to overcome my ACL injury, but with physiotherapy and determination, I have been able to return to both sports.
‘This season, my ice hockey team reached the finals weekend of the Women’s National Ice Hockey League, another significant achievement I’m so proud to be part of.’
It’s a balancing act
Managing a full-time dental nursing role while training at an elite level requires serious commitment. Paige trains twice weekly with her ice hockey team and attends regular national team sessions with other players from across the country. Most of her training takes place in the evenings, allowing her to maintain her professional responsibilities.
Tournament ambitions
Paige’s personal goal for Slovakia is clear: win a gold medal. But beyond the podium, she’s excited about the level of competition and what it means for women’s sport.
Paige adds: ‘The level of competition is exciting. We know these matches will be challenging, but that’s what makes them so rewarding. Women’s sport doesn’t always get the coverage it deserves, so having this level of exposure on broadcast channel TNT, is a huge milestone for us.’
Her long-term ambitions extend beyond this championship. She hopes to trial for the GB women’s senior ball hockey team next season while continuing to develop as assistant captain in ice hockey, with aspirations to progress to Division One.
Inspiration for the next generation
Most importantly, Paige is passionate about inspiring young athletes, particularly girls and women considering sports traditionally male-dominated.
Sharing her advice, Paige comments: ‘Don’t be afraid to try new sports, even those that are traditionally male-dominated. Just go for it!’
Lynsey Warrener, practice manager at mydentist Avalon House, expressed the team’s pride in Paige’s achievement: ‘We are incredibly proud of Paige and everything she has achieved. Being selected to represent Team GB is an outstanding accomplishment and reflects her dedication, resilience, and passion both inside and outside of work. She is a real inspiration to the whole team at Avalon House, and we’ll all be cheering her on.’
Paige will be sharing updates from the tournament on her social channels, with additional coverage through her ice hockey club, Whitley Bay Beacons.
You can follow Paige’s journey on Instagram: @paigemelissabrooks.
Find out more about careers at mydentist.
This article is sponsored by mydentist.
