"I first came to Gosport Hockey Club about 10 years ago when my son wanted to have a go at the sport. One evening I was standing on the side-line when a coach asked if I would pick up a stick to help in a session, a work colleague arriving for the later adult training saw me and, through his ‘persuasion’, I ended up in a team and on the pitch – after an interval of only 30+ years.
At times, beforehand, I had thought about getting involved in a team sport. Trying to keep fit by simply going for a run or to the gym on my own was not always that appealing. However I had used all the same excuses – I’m too busy, I can’t fit it in, I won’t be good enough, etc. etc. – that we all use (especially as we get older) to avoid emerging from our ‘comfort zones’. At the Club I found that there was a place for me in a team. I have made friends with people I would not have otherwise met and even had the opportunity to play some matches with my son in the same team. I say each season, as I get older and slower (I was never any good), will be my last but I end up returning for the next – and there still seems to be a place for me!
All I would say to anyone thinking about playing hockey at Gosport, whether young or older, new or returning to the sport is: What have you got to lose (except those excuses holding you back) by coming and giving it a go?"
Next is our Women's 1 XI Captain..