I never would have thought 3 years ago that when I walked on to a Southgate hockey pitch and awkwardly picked up a hockey stick for the first time that I would end up as co-captain of a team and most exciting of all, be playing in matches with my twin daughters. It’s not easy learning a new sport when you are nearly half a century old!
There have been many times I thought I would not go back to the pitch as a player, but the drive to play the sport I see so many people of all ages loving, including many fellow oldies and my children, has kept me going. And it was definitely worth it. For any other parents considering it, I would certainly give it a go! But there were many aspects that I did not anticipate…
First, how hard it is to learn field hockey! Perhaps not having played team sport, or even watched it, since I was 16 years old didn’t help. Growing up team sport was not encouraged at home, I remember being selected for the Lacross team and thinking how would I tell my Mum… So starting hockey has been a very steep learning curve, even the little things. When I turned up in East London for my first game I thought ‘teas’ meant we were going to get a cup of tea and slice of cake afterwards! Sadly not.
Second, how technical it is. There is so much to learn! Who knew there were so many ways and such skill to just hitting a ball with a long stick! But that continuous learning just keeps you going!
Third, how addictive it is. Every game I play, I want to do it all over again and, obviously, do much better!
I have to admit at times it has been a struggle getting here but it’s been worth the mental challenge. Apart from my incredibly supportive family, my husband and daughters often coming along to watch my games, I have met some encouraging and lovely people along the way at the club, like Lucy Cope. Some of them I am especially grateful to because I don’t believe I would be still playing hockey if it wasn’t for them. Of course, I must first mention both the amazing Back to Hockey coaches Matt and Nigel, turning up every Saturday morning (whatever the weather!) to help us all and give us a fun session. As well as excellent coaches like Chris and Gavin in club sessions and now Chris is pitch side for home matches, which has been fantastic. But also, some of the players who used to come along to BTH who were so supportive of a complete snail-learning novice, like Brian Cade, Justin, Chris Rouse, Simon Holmes, Claire Roughton (my amazing co-captain in the W6s) and the lovely Suneeta. Since being asked to join the 6s (they were very desperate!) I have met some absolutely brilliant people in training and games like the wonderful Kathy Hammond, Didi, Bhu, Victoria, Jo P, Jo Berndes and the rest of the 5s and 6s teams (too many to name them all!).
I am now lucky enough to play in an awesome women’s hockey team; we have a brilliant time on the pitch and focus mainly on having fun and pushing ourselves (this may explain why winning is not often on the agenda….). The W6s is a welcoming and friendly team and recently my twin girls, Autumn and Izzy, who just turned 13 years have been able to join us. This has been my absolute highlight so far (and not just because we have now actually won some games!) but the joy of playing with my children and my pride in watching them grow on the pitch to play in womens. If anyone is wondering about joining BTH or W6s please do!! It’s great for both your physical and mental health and you meet some wonderful people.
