Olympic hockey hopeful Natalie Seymour says being part of the "strongest ever Great Britain squad" for London 2012 would be a dream come true.

The former Maidstone Grammar School for Girls pupil, 25, is part of the GB performance squad which has been preparing for the Games since 2009 and already has 60 international caps under her belt.

She said: "It's a great time for sport and to be in a position to possibly be involved is like a dream come true for me.

"The summer is an exciting prospect and just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, but I try not to get too far ahead of myself. I don't want to tempt fate."

Seymour was part of the squad which finished runners-up to hosts Argentina in the Champions Trophy in Rosario in February but is enjoying being back in training in the UK.

She said: "I just want to focus on making sure I am performing well in training each day.

"There are 26 of us involved in the centralised programme and only 16 will play at the Games. It's a competitive environment.

"We are competing positionally, of course but it's up to the coach to pick a squad with the balance that he wants.

"I don't want to lose focus on myself, I won't worry about how other people are performing. I just want to do as well as I can.

"You have to believe you are good enough to be in the squad and I believe I am.

"This is certainly going to be the strongest GB squad ever assembled. We have high expectations of a medal."

Seymour, a former Maidstone Hockey Club player, who now plays in the premier division of the national league for Canterbury, said the hosts must make the most of home advantage at the new Riverbank Arena in the Olympic Park.

She said: "We've trained on the pitch a few times with the squad. It's fantastic and allows us to show what a fast, exciting skilful sport [hockey] is.

"Home advantage is important. Just look at the lift it gave Argentina in the Champions Trophy.

"London is a great opportunity for us and we need to use that to our advantage."