The Rookie Playbook: Part 7 Alana

My pathway to becoming a university field hockey athlete was very unconventional, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my experience as a student-athlete!

When I was in grade 10, my friend encouraged me to try out for the field hockey team, as a club field hockey player herself. Before high school, I had no idea that this sport existed. My first high school season allowed me to learn how to play the sport, and in the process, I ended up having so much fun as a goalkeeper that I started to play community club field hockey. During this time, I tried out for the provincial team twice and got cut both times, so I never got to play at nationals. I was so discouraged that I felt I started playing field hockey too late to be good enough to play at a high level. After graduating high school, I decided not to try out for the U of C field hockey team. Thus, for my first three years of university, I was a “NARP” (a non-athletic regular person). However, I continued to play in the recreational ladies’ league once a week because I still loved playing the sport.

But then one day, near the end of my third year of university, I was playing in an indoor tournament that the university team was hosting. On a typical Sunday morning heading into my last game of the tournament, I was pulled aside by these coaches and asked, “Would you like to join the Dinos field hockey team?” It was one of those moments where I felt like I was a character in a sports movie, but it was actually real life. From then on, I transformed into a university athlete, tossing my grey backpack for the iconic athletic backpack that you see all the athletes wear on campus.

And long story short, the rest is history!

A few months after that eventful tournament, I started pre-season as a 4^th-year university student but as a 1^st-year rookie athlete. COVID-19 had cancelled my first season, and I learned to navigate training during this time, where we had team S&C workouts over Zoom and wore masks during on-field training. A year later, I was finally able to experience my first official university field hockey season, although as a second-string goalkeeper with little to no playing time in games. But I approached this season with gratitude that I had the opportunity to be a university athlete and train with so many incredibly talented teammates. Even the little things, like having access to an athletic therapist, an athletes-only gym, getting earlier time slots to register for classes, and having tons of field time training on the only water-based field hockey turf in the city, were things that I did not take for granted as a student-athlete, having experienced regular student life before. 

I’ll always remember playing my first USPORTS game as a starter, and that feeling of accomplishment when I finally earned my spot on the field. The year after, my 4^th playing year, was history-making. I was part of the team that earned the team’s first Canada West win in 12 years, ending the drought, all in the most thrilling 7-round sudden-death shootout of my life against the 4-time reigning national champs. Five years as an athlete flew by, and I had earned a few accolades, including 4 Academic All-Canadian awards, a Canada West All-Star Team nomination, being named a Dinos first star female athlete of the week, and a few scholarships, all while completing two university degrees (BSc and MSc). 

None of this would have happened if I didn’t give field hockey a try back in high school or if I didn’t believe in the coaches who saw potential in me at that indoor tournament.

The biggest takeaway from sharing my story is that it’s never too late to try something new! Back in high school, I had this limiting belief that it was too late for me to become a high-level athlete because I started playing the sport too late. But luckily, my passion for the sport kept me going, and I continued to train and learn more skills with the support of many coaches and teammates. In doing so, I was putting myself out there for more playing opportunities down the road. I learned that although there is a known common path people take to reach university-level sports (e.g., start playing a sport as a kid and train 10+ years), it is not the only pathway. The path I took required a lot of hard work, dedication and persistence (…and a lot of injuries along the way), but it was possible. Consistency is what got me this far into my playing career: continue to show up and put in the work, even when you don’t feel like it. 

 As I reflect on my time as a student-athlete, I leave a few words of advice for incoming rookies:

-Enjoy the journey: “You can’t compete with someone who is having fun” is a quote that encompasses that. The best performances in my playing career, especially in moments under pressure, happened when I was just having fun playing the sport.

-Time Management: Use the rock, pebbles, sand method to fill your schedule. As soon as you get your course syllabuses, put all your deadlines for assignments, projects and exams into your agenda. Then, block off the time you need to complete these things around your training schedule (especially when you are travelling for away games!).

-Recovery is key: Take care of your body. Invest in a foam roller and make sure you are rolling and stretching after training and games. Book appointments with your athletic therapist; early detection of injuries is key. If you have access to massage therapy, osteopathy or acupuncture, take advantage of those services.

-Nutrition: Food is fuel. Ensure that you are eating food that will sustain you; what you eat the day/night before and before/after games and training plays a bigger role than you think in determining your level of energy, focus and performance.

-Get involved with your community: In high school, I was grateful for the opportunity to be coached by the current university athletes at the time, who volunteered their time to coach in the local community. As a university athlete, you might not realize it, but you are a role model. You have the opportunity to inspire and mentor the next generation of athletes.

 

A few words of advice for the rookie goalies:

Being named the second (or third, or fourth) string goalkeeper sucks; I’ve been there. During a game, you are cold on the bench, and then all of a sudden, you are thrown into the middle of a game, sometimes in high-pressure situations, and are expected to perform. Having a growth mindset is so important. Show up to every training session hungry to polish your skills and solidify the tactics. During games, watch your teammates and the starting goalkeeper closely and see what you can take away from specific gameplay situations. Having an “always ready” mentality helps; “I am always ready to play, “I am always ready to learn new skills in training”, and “I am always ready to be a great teammate” are things that you can say to yourself to stay positive, motivated and prepared for when you get the opportunity to be a starter.

Being a student-athlete has changed my life, and I am forever grateful for all the incredible memories and people that I met along the way!