Just what is it that keeps us going week in and week out? We asked one our players, Jojo, to tell us why she loves hockey so much.
Why do you love hockey so much?
It’s a question I ask myself time and again and there is no simple answer, but I will try to put some of them into words.
Best mates
Although you may not see each other outside hockey, during training and matches your teammates become your best mates. You rely on them, you support them, you look out for them and you trust them. You go through thick and thin together and the highs and lows are all the more enjoyable, and in the latter case bearable because you have your teammates with you.
You all freeze together, you all get soaked together in those harsh winter months and it still doesn’t get you down because you know you’re not alone. We once played a game where the rain was persistent throughout the whole 70 minutes. After the game we all looked like we’d been swimming and our hair was plastered to our heads; all this in just a skort and shirt.
Imagine spending 70 minutes in the rain in what are essentially summer clothes! Of course, we were all moaning at being so wet, but getting back to the changing room and finally getting dry, we all knew we’d do it all over again the following week if necessary.
The car journey
One of the highlights of an away trip is the car journey. There are many ways to spend the journey. Some catch up, chatting all the way, some sing their heads off and some even sleep! You will often find us at a set of traffic lights with all the windows down belting out old favourites such as Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart or a bit of Ant Music! One of the younger girls was so inspired by our retro music that she even went out and bought herself a couple of 80’s compilation CDs. They just don’t make music like that anymore!
As well as the shenanigans taking place in the car, the one thing that everyone suffers on a car journey is arriving at your pre-programmed, Satnav destination and looking around to find that there isn’t a hockey pitch or sports centre in sight. When that happens everyone frantically starts phoning people in the other cars, where you’ll either find that they’re just as lost as you are or already there wondering why it’s taking you so long.
The Hockey Family
Being part of a hockey club is quite unique. There are often many different teams within the club, and although you don’t all play together on match days, you are brought together in training sessions, events like Back to Hockey, cup matches or club event nights and the spirit of the club shines though. The senior club members encourage inclusion and everyone is made to feel like part of a family.
I remember my first training session at the club. I turned up on my own, feeling like Billy no-mates but before I knew it people were coming up to me, introducing themselves and I even got asked did I want to play in a friendly game that weekend. That kind of introduction really makes a lasting impression on you and you find yourself doing the same when you see new people join. You really do feel like part of one big family.
It’s not only at our club that I feel part of something but the whole set up, throughout the country and right up to international level you really do feel like you share an affinity with all hockey players around the world. It’s a special bond.
The Game
With all of the aforementioned things that make me want to play hockey, I haven’t yet mentioned the game itself – a pretty big part of the reasons really!
Before I started playing I thought I was quite fit, I thought I was quite healthy. Well, my eyes were soon to be opened wide. After training for a few weeks and starting to play matches I realised that I hadn’t been as fit or healthy as I’d thought. The pleasure that you get from running around a hockey pitch tiring yourself out cannot be underestimated, in fact it gives you more energy and tons of those wonderful, happy endorphins.
The feeling you get when you start to get better, score your first goal, play the perfect pass, or get a player of the match award. Hockey is such a fast sport, you don’t have time to dwell on a mistake or take a break; it’s non-stop action all the way. It’s not only playing that’s exciting but watching the game, particularly at international level has you on the edge of your seat. Watching those girls doing things with a hockey stick that you can only dream of takes your breath away.
I really don’t think it’s possible to put into words all the resons I love hockey, I just do!
Not played for a while and thinking of getting back into it? Why not come to our specially designed Back to Hockey Sessions. Find out more here.
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