Scotland hockey goalie admits he’s a bit crazy!

You don’t have to be crazy…

James Cachia cheerfully admits he is a little bit crazy. Why else would he throw his body in front of a speeding hockey ball when anyone with any sense would get out of the way?

As goalkeeper for Scotland men’s field team, the 26-year-old Fifer needs no telling things can go wrong when the sticks start flying.

“Listen, I have played a lot of team sports but I have never come across anything like being a hockey keeper. It is unique in terms of jeopardy,” he says.

“Basically you have to try and put yourself in the way of something hard that is coming at you at speed. That is such an unnatural thing to do!

“I have been knocked out cold by a shot that hit me on the helmet, actually from one of my current team-mates, Niall Stott.

“You get bumps and bruises all the time. Generally speaking, the balls and sticks have got harder and the knocks more painful. So, yes, you do have to be a little crazy. I am not going to lie.

“A lot of keepers say they are not scared. For me, that is a lie. There is always going to be a bit of fear. It is human nature. There are definitely times I am scared.”

Nevertheless he loves it.

“It is great because the adrenaline and the thought you are competing for Scotland always gets you through,” says Cachia, who will be the country’s last line of defence against South Africa, India, Wales and world champions Australia at the Games.

“To get the chance to represent your country is something of which I am immensely proud.

“As keeper, you can never win a game because you can’t score a goal but you can be a hero. You can make a save in the last minute that ensures your team wins and that is a pretty unique feeling.

“I love the opportunity to be that kind of hero.”

With Scotland ranked eighth in the 10-team tournament, the keeper knows it will not be long coming his way.