On this episode of Studio Hockey, the guest is James Mazarelo, a young and accomplished goalkeeper whose career is as diverse as his personal story. Mazarelo currently juggles playing for at least four teams—including England, Great Britain, the Old Georgians in the English Premier Division, and a franchise in the Hockey India League, which was previously known as the UP Rudras but is now a nameless league-run team after the original franchise withdrew. Beyond his hockey achievements, James carries a unique heritage, being of both English and Indian descent, and is deeply proud of this dual background. His journey, both on and off the pitch, is an interesting one.
The Team With No Name
The first topic was the recent shake-up in the Hockey India League, where the UP Rudras franchise, for whom James played, abruptly withdrew from the league due to financial uncertainty. The players, including James, were “gutted” by the franchise’s exit because of the supportive environment it provided. Despite the disappointment, the core group remains together, now playing as a league-managed, nameless team. James’s anticipation for the upcoming season was undiminished:
“Obviously very gutted that we won’t be under the UP Rudra’s banner this year, but... excited still to be together as the group ... hopefully we can do a little bit better than last year as well.”
Heritage and Indian Roots
James was asked about his Indian heritage, specifically related to Goa, and to clarify details about his family background. James explained that his father grew up in Goa and trained as a doctor before moving to England, while his mother is English.
“Indian heritage is still something I’m massively proud of... when I get to come and play in India... it’s a great opportunity to get in touch with that side of my heritage a little bit more.”
He described the pride and closeness he feels toward his Indian relatives, noting that his dad’s family in India follows his hockey career even more closely when he plays domestically or internationally there.
Building Bridges in India: Language and Connection
The conversation turned to how his heritage makes it easier to build relationships with Indian players, especially younger ones. James reflected on the importance of communication—sometimes even learning the essentials of hockey instructions in Hindi, given that not all teammates feel comfortable with English:
“I definitely learned the basics of left, right, up, back ... if you want somebody to do something quickly... if English is not their first thing, they’re not going to react as quickly... I’d rather make that change.”
While his Hindi “is limited,” James found it rewarding and necessary to meet his teammates halfway, especially to facilitate faster, clearer instructions on the pitch.
European Glory: Stunning Bloemendaal in the Euro Hockey League
James’s remarkable performance in the Euro Hockey League—where Old Georgians beat the storied Dutch club Bloemendaal in a shootout—was discussed next. James described the preparation, planning, and execution that went into that game. He credited his coaches for their meticulous planning, his teammates for hard work, and highlighted how critical being clinical in front of goal is:
“It was the best team performance we’ve put in probably this year... if there was a mistake, somebody was there mopping it up for the other guy next to them.”
He described the emotional rollercoaster of the dramatic finish, where Bloemendaal’s overtime corner was disallowed before the shootout. The win was a “massive” moment, equal parts elation and disbelief.
The Goalkeeper’s Mindset in Shootouts
The unique pressure of shootouts—especially for goalkeepers—was explored. James explained his personal approach, emphasizing intense focus and the need to remain in his own “bubble”:
“In the moment ... you’re so focused ... my approach is to try and stay in my own bubble ... it’s a massive opportunity for us to have a bigger impact on the game, which... as a goalie, I love.”
He described how shootouts amplify a goalkeeper’s influence on the outcome, especially in high-stakes matches, where physical agility and mental composure are essential.
Is Youth or Experience an Advantage for Goalkeepers in Shootouts?
James was asked whether being a young goalkeeper is an advantage, or whether experience is more valuable. His perspective was nuanced:
“I think you’ve kind of got to have a bit of both—experience of the situation, but also physically able to deal with it... younger goalies should be able to put themselves in better positions, but having seen some of the older guys... I don’t think necessarily the older guys are at too much of a disadvantage.”
James observed that experienced goalkeepers often excel at managing emotions and reading the play, but physical capability remains vital, noting the legendary agility of older keepers like Vanasch, Davey Hart, or Sreejesh.
Do Goalkeepers Get Better with Age?
Building off his previous answer, James agreed that goalkeepers do tend to improve with age, especially in handling the mental demands of the sport. Older goalkeepers, he said, are quicker to recover from mistakes and better at maintaining perspective:
“Older guys, I think that’s probably the thing that separates them ... how quickly they can move on and appreciate that mistakes are going to happen ... as a younger guy, when you first come in, everything becomes a be all and end all and you have to be perfect all the time, which is completely irrational.”
He noted that as goalkeepers mature, they better understand their own strengths and how to put themselves in situations to showcase their abilities.
European Championship Reflections: Heartbreak at the Euros
James was asked to reflect on England’s performance in the recent European Championships, where they missed out on the medal rounds following a devastating last-minute defeat to France. Although outcome was “nowhere near” what the team wanted, James felt personally satisfied with his own performance—even if the goalkeeper’s role sometimes means little can be done to prevent some goals:
“The hard nature of being a goalie at times is sometimes there is very little you can do about the goals that go in ... I would give up everything—I would have played terribly, and if we won a gold medal ... that’s 100% the option I want to take.”
The tournament, he said, was full of learning opportunities, and, though painful, such setbacks are part of sport’s emotional highs and lows.
The Hockey India League Auction: The ‘Surbiton Stopper’ Bidding War
James was asked about his experience during the Hockey India League auction, when three teams fiercely competed for his signature. Surprisingly, James was actually in the gym during the auction and learned later from an avalanche of messages:
“My phone had kind of exploded ... people sending this message going, ‘Oh, there was this bidding war going on’... I put myself in at the bottom base price, because I was just really excited to go and ... hopefully get the opportunity.”
He chose the lowest base price simply to maximize his chance of playing in India, valuing experience over financial gain. Ultimately, the experience—playing in a country where hockey’s national importance is unrivaled—was “an experience I’ll never forget.”
First Impressions: The Magic of Hockey in India
James described his first season in the Hockey India League as “crazy in such an amazing way.” He was struck by the passion of Indian fans and the technical abilities of young Indian players:
“Watching some of the young guys in our team ... what they could do with a stick and a ball ... I can’t do these things ... some of the journeys that some of the young guys had to go through ... hockey allowed them to provide for their families and transform their situation—it was humbling to hear.”
He also valued the lifelong friendships formed, maintaining contact with teammates long after the season ended.
Comparing Indian, English, and European Bench Strengths
Asked to compare the bench strength and technical ability of Indian hockey players with their English and European counterparts, James observed that Indian players likely lead the world in technical skills:
“If you had the best 100 players in India technically against the best 100 players in any other country ... they would technically be better ... tactically, who knows? ... We had to tactically outthink them and outsmart them.”
He believes the Hockey India League helps Indian players develop tactical understanding, potentially elevating their international competitiveness as they gain more exposure to diverse playing styles.
James’s Own Journey in Hockey: Becoming a Goalie
James shared how he first became a goalie, starting out as a football goalkeeper. His primary school needed a hockey goalie; James was drafted in and played hockey like a football goalkeeper, sliding at opponents’ feet. Later, a local club’s need for a goalkeeper got him properly into hockey. His path up the ranks was gradual, but around age fifteen, James realized he might truly have a future in the sport:
“Only the best people want to be goalies, right?... Purely by chance ... I did play one game as an outfielder ... you realize that actually you’re not very good ... that’s why I stuck in goal.”
His honest recollections include humor about a rare stint as a striker—further confirming that goalkeeping was indeed his calling.
Dream of Playing as a Striker?
James was asked, perhaps with a wink, if scoring as a striker at an international event was his dream, referring to a famous incident when a German goalkeeper had to play as an outfield striker in India.
“It’s probably not up there if I’m honest ... I think I’ll stick to being a goalie.”
The prospect of running around against “very skillful fullbacks” didn’t appeal, given his lanky frame and lack of stick skills.
The India vs GB Olympic Quarterfinal: Dual Loyalties?
The conversation turned to a memorable GB vs India quarterfinal at the Paris Olympics, with India playing 43 minutes a man down before winning in a shootout. James, who is of both English and Indian background, was asked which side he instinctively supported:
“It was the British instinct, if I’m going to be really honest ... sat watching the game ... you knew it was going to be a moment of magic that determined the game ... Sreejesh made two unbelievable saves that maybe on another day he doesn’t make and the game’s very different.”
James described the game as emotionally grueling but ultimately full of lessons for both teams.
Life After Hockey: Balancing with a Career Beyond Sport
James acknowledged the hard truth that a career as a hockey goalie won’t provide lifelong financial security. He described his parallel career in public leisure consultancy—a rewarding field that aims to improve health and community outcomes across England:
He finds that this work helps to keep sporting setbacks, like losses, in perspective, as his attention is drawn to genuine societal challenges that matter far beyond the pitch.
Conclusion
James Mazarelo’s story is a testament to the global nature of modern hockey: a player formed by dual heritage, thriving on multiple teams across continents, celebrated for his skill and character, and actively preparing for life beyond sport. His thoughtful reflections—from the joy in hockey to the realities of career planning—offer inspiration and perspective for players and fans alike.
We hope you enjoyed this episode of Studio Hockey, a podcast about international and domestic field hockey brought to you by co-hosts Ernst Baart (for the European perspective) and Jaspreet Singh (for the Asian point of view). Until next time, happy hockey!
