David Griffiths, 21, really can't believe his luck. He has just celebrated scoring his first international goal for Wales and helping the team beat Ireland for the first time in twenty four years before going on to capture the Celtic Cup. It's hard to imagine that little under a year ago he was facing one of the biggest challenges in his young life after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
By Cathy Harris / Photo: Peter Savage
After undergoing surgery to remove one testicle his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous after he came through a tough few weeks of uncertainty and tests before returning to play for his club, Beeston, in the Slazenger English Premier Division.
In August last year he made his senior Wales debut after representing England at U-16, U-18 and U-21 levels. The top goal scorer for his club in the 2005/6 season, his efficiency in front of goal had helped Beeston, three miles south west of the centre of Nottingham, earn promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.
He admits it was an emotional time for him and his family saying: 'The CT scan after my surgery showed no more tumours and the cancer hadn't spread but I still need monthly blood tests, an x-ray every month and CT scans every six months. I didn't need chemotherapy and I am chuffed to bits about that.
'It's not something blokes like to talk about' he said. 'But I went to the doctor about a large swelling and things just went from there. There's no screening for men, which I think there should be, but I certainly didn't have a problem with it and now doctors can look where they want!
Impatient to return to the action, Griffiths played in Beeston's 3-1 win against Surbiton four weeks later coming on a substitute and scoring with his first touch three minutes later. He admits there is an element of risk playing a sport with a ball travelling at high speed and flying sticks but says he is prepared to take it and that the specialist has left it up to him.
Hugely popular among his peers, the irrepressible Griffiths says he has been humbled by all the support he has received. 'It's been fantastic from the club and Wales - this is what hockey is all about. People do care and we're one big family.'
He is already planning a cycle ride from John O' Groats to Lands End with some of his team mates to raise funds for the Oncology Unit at the City Hospital in Nottingham which treated him. Ironically, he cycled the opposite route in 2005 raising £6000 for Cancer Research.
Whilst in hospital he read the American cyclist Lance Armstrong's book describing how he won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times after brain and testicular surgery. 'He spoke about turning negatives in to positives and now I think I'm stronger mentally and can go out there and do special things.'
He added:'I feel very lucky to be alive and because I didn't have chemotherapy or radiotherapy I wasn't too badly affected physically and was able to get back playing quite quickly. But I still have concerns every time I go for a check up and wonder what the specialists will tell me. My life hasn't altered too much and I find quite a lot of people come up to me and talk to me about what's happened.'
His willingness to discuss a problem so often ignored my men should serve to help others confront it. Meanwhile, Griffiths continues to coach hockey in Nottingham and help his father, Graham, run Highfields Hockey Centre. Next up is the challenge of trying to help his club claim spots in the new Euro Hockey League and the English indoor clubs finals night.
