27th January 2012
Hockey Wales interview with Sarah Thomas
Sara Thomas v USA
Calling from the rather cold offices in Cardiff to the beautifully warm city of Cordoba in Argentina, Hockey Wales had the opportunity to speak with the only Welsh entrant to the Great Britain Hockey Squad, Sarah Thomas.
Sarah, originally from Merthyr Tydfil, has been dubbed the 'Welsh Wizard' by her team mates and took a few moments out of her hectic preparation for the Champions Trophy to speak with us about the Four Nations and the life of an international hockey player!
HW: Hello Sarah; thanks for speaking to us today, how are things going?
ST: Really well thanks! Training has been good, lots of session work on the upper and lower body and then back out with the sticks this afternoon! It's a bit weird; it feels like we haven't played hockey in ages but it's only been a two day break! I think I am just eager to play when I can.
HW: So how do you feel the four nations tournament went for you? (full match reports here)
ST: Really good! It was an excellent test for us, won three out of the four games and it was nice to play in a country like Argentina where Hockey is a really big deal!
HW: How did you feel losing to Korea in the final and walking away with the silver?
ST: It's never nice to lose, but it was a really good experience for us to play Korea and we only lost the final 3-2 missing a penalty stroke in the process. We put in a great performance and really gave our all; I guess it was just one of those days really!
HW: So the big talking point before the tournament was your decision to stop playing club hockey and focus on your GB commitments – how do you feel that's worked out for you?
ST: Good. When I came back from Holland, it was too late to really affiliate with another team and looking at the schedules I'd have to travel a lot and being a bit older now it just made sense to spend my time training and recovering. So I am training smarter and feeling good.
HW: So the Champions Trophy is a really big deal, with only the World Cup and Olympics above it, do you feel under any pressure at all?
ST: I don't really get nervous, the pressure is a good thing for me, because it helps me focus the mind and really get the job done. It is a massive tournament and it will actually be my first time playing in it, as we have never gone as a Great Britain team, but again, it's a good pressure.
HW: So do you think about the people watching on TV or on the stands?
ST: Again I don't feel that sort of pressure. It's great to know we have such a great support but when that whistle blows it's just you, the ball, your team mates and your next move.
HW: Life as an international hockey player seems glamorous; do you ever really just miss playing in one place?
ST: Personally I love it. The sponsorship that Investec has given us allows us to train in countries where we don't have to worry about things like frozen pitches and really gives us the freedom to prepare the way we want to. It's really nice to just spend time in these camps, because once we are off the pitch it's like hanging out with your friends. Things like this aren't going to last forever so it is good to experience it all now!
HW: We loved the Cadbury's advert! How much fun was it to do and do you think it helped raise the profile of Hockey in Wales and the UK?
ST: I hope so! It was a really fun and positive experience for me! I literally went in with no expectations, then all of a sudden I am face to face with my old coach (Linda Treharne) my Mum and Dad and no one told me! It was really exciting and it was great to know there is that much support back at home!
HW: So for all the aspiring Olympians in Wales and the UK do you have any advice for them?
ST: I am a firm believer in that what you put in you get back, if you know what your strengths are and work hard at improving yourself you'll succeed. It's really important to believe in yourself and keep that belief always, when you get high up the chain you start having doubters, but it's important to keep focused.
HW: Will you be back in Wales anytime soon?
ST: It's a really hectic schedule and although we are allowed to be anywhere in the UK I spend a lot of my time in Bisham Abbey, so my parents end up coming to visit me! But when I can I like to take the chance to come home and it feels like pushing the reset button when I am back, helps me get focused for the next training event or game!
HW: Finally from us, do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans watching you back at home?
ST: Honestly, being away from home it's really nice to know that there is a huge support there and the welsh fans are a really passionate and unique bunch! That was really apparent through the Rugby World Cup and it's nice to know people are getting behind us as well!
You can follow Sarah Thomas and the GB Squad throughout the Champions Trophy on the BBC through the Red Button! The schedule for the competition is currently:
- Saturday 28th January 2012: 1800-2100 UK - Pool A - Great Britain v Japan
Live on DSat and cable, not live on Freeview but replayed at 2125-2325 - Sunday 29 January 2012: 1800-2100 UK - Pool A - Great Britain v Netherlands
Live on DSat and cable, and live on Freeview until 2000 - Tuesday 31 January 2012: 1800-2000 UK - Pool A - China v Great Britain
Live on DSat, cable, and Freeview - Thursday 2 February 2012: 4 games at 3.30pm, 6pm, 8.30pm and 11pm
Quarter Finals – Live on DSat and cable, not available on Freeview - Saturday 4 February 2012: semi finals at 8.30pm and 11pm
Live on DSat, cable, and Freeview - Sunday 5 February 2012: tbc - classification/medal matches -
7th v 8th 3.30pm, 5th v 6th 6pm, 3rd v 4th 8.30pm and final at 11pm
Live on DSat and cable, but only available on Freeview for live final.
