A broken thumb changed everything for GB hockey player who quit to set up his own company

A GB hockey player from Nottingham, who gave up his dream sport after breaking his thumb, is now helping Britain’s renters instead.

- By NICO LETHBRIDGE

Business owner Josh Pavis, 26, was picked to play for the GB hockey team aged just 20 in 2019 after years of training and dedication.

However, after a crushing thumb injury on the eve of his debut, he quit the sport to start a business, realising he was only playing hockey to please those around him.

Within 18 months, his business, which sold plumbing equipment, had turned over more than £8 million, but after disagreements with his co-founder and brother Ollie, 25, they sold it to ensure they remained best friends.

He then founded a successful marketing agency, but said he felt that he was “just making the rich richer’, leaving him feeling unfulfilled.

In November 2023, after going through the “nightmare process” of searching for a flat to rent in London, he started a business called Rently, which aims to make the long and arduous process easier.

“I feel like I've found my calling with this business and I hope it can make a positive impact on people's lives, which I didn’t feel my hockey career would,” said Josh.

“The thumb injury was really the nail in the coffin and pushed me to take that jump to something else.

“I find the same thrill and competitiveness that I had playing sport in building a business.

“Speaking to partners, raising money or just getting a new person to sign up gives the same thrill as scoring a goal or winning on the pitch.”

Josh grew up in Nottingham and always excelled in sports.

He wanted to be a cricketer and was headed to the trial for the ECB David English Bunbury Festival in 2015 for the best U15 players in the country.

However, when the event was rained off, Josh, who had his hockey kit in the car, said he decided to pursue England hockey instead, playing for the U16 and U18 teams.

In 2019, Josh was selected to play for the men’s GB hockey team, and flew to Australia to tour with the side.