I began playing Inline Hockey for the Hamilton Inline Hockey Club in 2011 as the only girl and the worst player in my team! I worked incredibly hard to improve my skills and in 2013 I was named in the 18 & Under New Zealand Junior Women Inline Hockey team at the age of 14. The following year I was named in that team again and also as the youngest player in the New Zealand Senior Women Inline Hockey team. I started playing Ice Hockey in 2014 and was selected to play in the New Zealand Ice Fernz (National Women’s Ice Hockey Team) for 2015.

I enjoy being put in leadership situations and have coached school league and club inline hockey teams as well as been captain or assistant captain numerous times over the years. In 2015 I was Head Girl at my high school which gave me a number of opportunities and allowed me to develop my leadership and teamwork skills which I have been able to apply to my sport.

In 2015, in addition to inline hockey and ice hockey I played field hockey and football for my school. Playing sport is not only my favourite hobby and a great way make new friends, but also a great stress reliever for me. Two of my brothers (including my twin brother) have Autism and that has created a degree of stress in our family in a variety of ways. Playing sport has helped me to deal with this.

Every year my overseas hockey tournaments cost approximately $5,000 each. My parents have always done their best to support me financially, covering costs for not only my overseas trips themselves, but everything leading up to them including trainings, travelling costs and hockey gear – which is very costly. Unfortunately my parents will not be able to cover all of the costs this year, having to support my three brothers and their endeavours as well as my Mum having to travel to the USA multiple times to support my grandparents who are elderly and unable to manage their own finances and care.

I have a job and am working hard to fundraise to cover the costs but this will be difficult because of the potential total cost. Any help covering these costs would be hugely appreciated!

THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR HANNAH WILL BE REPRESENTING NZ IN INLINE HOCKEY! 

HAMILTON

SPORTING GOALS

I have also trialled for another New Zealand Team – The 18 & Under Women’s Ice Hockey Team – to compete against Canadian Leaside team in Dunedin in August 2016. My position in this team is yet to be confirmed. I will attend a trial camp for this in April.

HIGHEST SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT

My highest achievement in Inline hockey was placing 4th at the FIRS Inline Hockey World Championships in 2014 (behind USA and Canada) and placing 1st in the AAU Junior Olympics in 2013, beating USA in the finals – which was the best feeling in the world. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the FIRS World Championships and one day be named as captain of the New Zealand Senior Women Inline Hockey Team.

TEAM OR CLUB

I have recently been selected to represent New Zealand in the National 18 & under Junior Women Inline Hockey team at the AAU Junior Olympic Championship in Hawaii in July 2016 and the Senior Women’s Inline Hockey team competing at the FIRS World Championships in Italy in June 2016.

I have also just been selected for the New Zealand Ice Fernz (National Women’s Ice Hockey Team) – to compete in the IIHF Women’s Ice Hockey World Championships in Spain in March 2016.