Alexander, who was was brought up in Homersfield and Denton, flies to Macau next week as part of Great Britain's 16-man hockey squad, for a holding camp in preparation for next month's Beijing Games.
Although GB are ranked eighth in the world, Alexander insists he has higher aspirations in the 12-team tournament.

"We want nothing less that fifth or sixth place," said Alexander, speaking exclusively to the Diss Express from the GB training camp.

"It would be a good tournament if we made it through to the semi-finals but it is going to be tough with Holland and Australia in our group.

"If we could get gold it would be incredible and more importantly, amazing for the sport. But the top four would be a brilliant achievement and a building block for 2012."

Alexander's parents, Helen and Keith, both played first-team hockey for Magpies and the GB player has fond memories of weekends at Weybread,
playing and watching.

He broke into Magpies' first team at 14, setting a new English National League record at the time.

This grounding at Shotford Heath proved crucial in setting Alexander on his way to Beijing

"Harleston Magpies was a massive influence on me," said Alexander, 26.

"I was very lucky to have a good group of players around me, who played at a high level, at a good club.

"There was a mixture of styles of players and I learned a bit from each of them and tried to tag their attributes on to my game.

"Phil Cobbald (now a senior coach at the club) taught me how to tackle, and looked after me when I was 14 and breaking into the team."

Alexander went off to Loughborough University and after graduating, moved to London to play for Old Loughtonians and for the last three seasons has starred for Surrey-based Surbiton in the National League Premier Division.

The inside-left made his international debut in 2005 and has since racked up 66 England caps and 27 for GB, which has seen him play in the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and two European Championships.

The highlight of his career came in March, when GB secured qualification to the Olympics by beating India 2-0 in Chile.

Alexander, who works as a builder when he is not in full-time training, said: "It has always been my ambition to play in the Olympics, so it was a great feeling to qualify. But as soon as you qualify, you realise you still have to get picked for the squad.

"When I was told I was in by the management team, I was asked if I had any comments. I had to check, 'that does definitely mean I'm on the plane!'. It meant so much, I just had to check I had heard it right.

"It was a pinch yourself moment."

GB's hockey team leave for Macau on Wednesday, where they will play two
practice games before transferring to Beijing, ready for their opening Pool B game against Pakistan on August 11.

Holland, South Africa, Canada and Australia complete the group.

Despite the Olympics' hysteria, Alexander is focused on his game.

He said: "It is my dream to be at the Olympics but as soon as I hear that first whistle, I know I've got to get on with it and do my job for the team."

WebWatch: www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk