ASHLEIGH Ball is in full-time training and the goal is Olympic gold.

The Cheltenham hockey star is benefiting from state-of-the-art facilities as the Great Britain squad invests heavily in the quest for success.

"We are not training for a silver medal," said Ball.

"This is all about the gold which we are determined to win.

"We know we can do it if we are at the top of our game, although there will be tough competition especially from the Dutch and the Argentines."

It is the first time that Ball has been in full-time training as the journey to London 2012 enters its end game.

More used to a part-time regime, the full-on efforts to attain dominance in the sport is being relished by the former St Edward's School pupil.

The 25-year-old, (pictured inset), said: "For the last few months we have been in full-time training in Bisham Abbey and all of this is geared towards the Olympics.

"There has never been this type of continuous training before and it's fantastic.

"There is video analysis, physios, doctors and the best facilities.

"And all this investment has paid off as we have seen our ranking in the world move up from seven to fourth."

Ball has returned to Cheltenham to see her family in Charlton Kings from Argentina, where she and the Great Britain women's hockey team reached the final of the Champions Trophy – losing 1-0 to Argentina.

Playing in front of a stadium of thousands gave her some insight into what it will be like in London, with one crucial difference – there will be home advantage.

She said: "When we were in Argentina the crowd were booing and whistling us but it added to the occasions.

"It will be amazing to be in London with home advantage when the crowd will be on our side."

Ball, who had played for Cheltenham Hockey Club and East Glos Hockey Club, said she struggles to articulate what it would mean to play for Great Britain at the Olympics.

But she knows she will have to repeatedly earn her place in the final 16 over the coming months.

The atmosphere within the 28-strong squad is close, but Ball said nobody is under any illusions that everyone is after one of the coveted places.

"There is a great atmosphere and everyone is very close, but there is no getting away from the fact that people want to be in that final 16," she said.

"You have to get your head around the fact that you want the team to do well, but that you also want to be part of that team and to have a chance of Olympic gold.

"No-one is safe, no-one is guaranteed a place and all the places will have to be earned.

"But to be the right age, to be in with a chance of representing my country in a home Olympics, well, I feel very lucky."

As well as the Holland and Argentina teams being a danger, Ball said the Asian nations will also be hard to beat – especially China and Japan.

Such is the focus on the Olympics that Ball, who has a degree in medical science and a masters in nutrition, is hardly looking beyond the end of the games.

"What happens after the Olympics will depend on what happens at the Olympics," she said.

"At the moment everything is building towards the Olympics and it is so exciting."