Ipswich Olympian Harry Martin begins a new chapter of his life this month – but he is keen not to let the ink go dry on his burgeoning hockey career.

The 19-year-old begins life as a student at the University of Nottingham – where he will study economics – but with London 2012 still fresh in his mind, the Ipswich-born midfielder is already targeting a Team GB berth at the Rio Olympics in four years.

Top prospect Martin emerged with credit from the recent Olympics as the nation reached the last four of the men’s tournament – albeit going out in disappointing fashion to eventual runners-up the Netherlands, 9-2.

Now the 42-cap teenager wants to further his career and become a star on the Samba scene when the Olympic torch arrives in Brazil in 2016, while progressing off the pitch too.

“I have joined Beeston as I am starting university in Nottingham next month and that presents a new challenge for me,” said Martin.

“I thought I would never want to study again but after a year away I have regained my appetite for learning.

“From a hockey point of view, the GB team is going to be a very different squad in four years and I know a few members of the team were giving it one last push for London.

“I have got to keep making sure I keep progressing as a player and, if selected, I hope I can make a bit more of a difference.

“I have got a real taste for the Olympics now, I don’t care where it is being held, I want to be part of the team.

“It was definitely the best experience of my life with 15,000 people cheering on the team as soon as we started attacking.”

Team GB drew three and won two of their five pool games in London, before suffering a rude awakening in the last four clash with the Dutch, capitulating to a demoralising defeat.

And they were unable to bounce back in the bronze medal play-off, losing 3-1 to Australia.

That aside, Martin feels the GB players were able to take heart from their performances in the capital and coupled with the women’s team’s bronze medal success, thinks the future is bright for the game in the UK.

“As a team we are still really gutted that we did not win a medal, especially after reaching the semi-final, and that hurts a quite a lot,” explained Martin.

“At the end of the day, a realistic aim was to make the semi-finals and we were confident of reaching the final but unfortunately the Dutch started well and got their tails up.

“From a participation point of view, hockey has never been watched that much before but already there have been lots more people taking up hockey.”