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season, but five years later, I’m still to reduce my body fat to help with the You and Ali McGregor both won
here and still enjoying it. I definitely heat in Beijing. the Player of the Year Award. Are
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think that it has helped my hockey, as I we entering a new era where the
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think that it has helped me to focus on The next big tournament is the goalkeeper is appreciated more? w
playing. I think that the clubs are really Champions Trophy in July. It’s a strong Lets hope so…goalkeepers are
well run here, and also that elite sports field – are you worried England might seriously under-rated, ha ha!
are really well respected, especially in come last?
the work place. My employer is really I think going to a tournament like the Is it a coincidence that you both won
flexible with my hockey, which helps Champions Trophy is only a good thing, or has there been a change in the way
massively, as it means that I’m able as you know that the top six nations keeping has been coached?
to work my working hours around my are there and that there won’t be an I think that it’s just a coincidence that
training. easy match. I would never go into a we both won, as I think that the art of
tournament worried that we might goalkeeping has pretty much stayed the
What kit do you play in? come last – the thought wouldn’t even same. I also think that we are helped
My playing kit is a bit of a mix and cross my mind. You know that some by all of the extra training we receive in
match of brands, for different reasons. matches are going to be harder than terms of strength development, which
My leg pads, kickers and gloves are others, but I always have the feeling helps our reaction time and our speed.
Monarch, which I’ve grown up playing that we can win games. I think that we
in, and like as it’s light-weight and has have a great team, and even though the If I’m training hard to be a great
good control. My body protection is Obo, team has changed since the Olympics, keeper what are the essential qualities
as it just fits really well and I love the we’ve got some great players coming I need to have?
protection it provides without being too through and you know that you’ll go good footwork, speed over a short
bulky. into every game with everyone giving distance, strength, being explosive,
their all. and good decision making. I also think
What’s your average weekly training that confidence/mental toughness is
regime like? What do you do to relax? a big part of being a good goalkeeper;
My weekly training regime really at the moment…looking at all of my learning not to worry about a past
depends upon which phase we are holiday photos! Living abroad means mistake or goal, but to focus on the
in the programme and fitness cycle. that I don’t get to see my friends and next save. I think as a goalkeeper you
Before a major competition we tend family as much as I’d like, so a lot of the have to realise that goals are going to
to train three days together at Bisham time I’ll phone home or phone friends be scored, but you can learn from each
abbey, then we’ll train another couple in the UK and have a good catch-up goal and think about what could be
of times regionally. as a goalkeeper with them. Other than that I tend to done differently next time.
a key focus is weight and strength read, meet up with friends, go for bike
training, to be more explosive. I’ll do a rides, or if I’m feeling a bit lazy I’ll Can you tell us any simple but effective
weights session 2-3 times a week, and watch a DVD. drills I can do to improve my game?
two conditioning sessions a week, again I’m a big fan of simple technique drills:
depending upon what phase we are in. Has any of the team ever played a good kicking technique, dealing with
When I’m back playing club hockey we practical joke on you? balls which are slightly lifted, and
train on a Tuesday evening, twice on a Thankfully no, although I don’t think speed of your feet. a good practice is
Thursday and once on a Friday – with that they’d need to play a practical joke feeding the ball in from the penalty spot
weights and conditioning sessions on on me to have a laugh…just watching and clearing this to the sides of the
the other days. In terms of diet, I think me play volleyball would be enough! D. Trying to be as accurate as possible
that we are all very sensible with what Seriously, it’s a great team, and there and keeping the ball flat. You can
we eat and drink. Before the Olympics I is always lots of laughter at the dinner incorporate a footwork drill into this
worked with the nutritionist at Bisham tables. practice, by having to work round cones,
or a ladder first, feeding the ball into
the opposite post, to be cleared to the
side of the pitch.
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