Learning, doing and supporting

As part of our focus on creating more awareness around Canada's National Women's Indoor Field Hockey team, SeeWhatSheCanDo asked each each player to share some details around their introduction to and history playing the sport; what they love about field hockey; what their favourite sport memory is; and what each player would say to their 10 year old self if they had the chance to go back in time. 

The significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our everyday lives for much of 2020 has been life-altering for so many.  For many elite athletes in particular, it has meant a complete shutdown to their ability to train and compete as a team or an individual athlete.  This is certainly the case for Canada's National Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team.  To get a better understanding of the pandemic's direct impact, we asked each athlete to share their thoughts around the challenges and frustrations they've experienced over the last nine months not being able to be together as a team. Knowing what they are facing, we also asked how a community platform like SeeWhatSheCanDo could support each of them and what that could look like. 

Head to Getting to know Team Canada's Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team to get the background story on the team, the Indoor Pan American Cup and to find links to more player profiles.

Introducing Hilary Ziraldo

Hilary's background and history in field hockey

Hilary Ziraldo is a mid-fielder who's played three years on Team Canada. Hilary has played the game for the past eight years and got her start in it through a local club team.

What do you love most about field hockey?

I love field hockey for teamwork and accountability. There is nothing more motivating than working hard for the people who are working hard for you.

Tell us about your favourite sport memory.

My favourite field hockey memory is travelling to Minsk, Belarus in January 2020 for a test series against Belarus and Ukraine. Our team was midway through a challenging training phase and this tour was an opportunity to measure ourselves against two of the world's best indoor field hockey nations. As a group we showed tremendous growth in two close games against Belarus, who would go on to become the European Champions. A personal highlight was scoring my first international goal against Ukraine to tie the game.

What would you say to your 10 year old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would tell my 10 year old self that by playing and staying in sport, you will learn just how much you are capable of accomplishing. Regardless of the level, sport provides an environment to learn goal setting, push physical limits, test mental strength and build lifelong friendships.

What challenges and frustrations have you faced over the last few months because of COVID-19? And what have you done to manage these challenges and frustrations?

COVID-19 has caused many challenges and frustrations. Our World Cup qualifier, the Pan-Am Cup, was cancelled and we are unsure when the competition will be rescheduled. We have also been unable to train as a team for many months and have significantly modified our training plans. To manage these challenges and frustrations, I have taken some time to recover after a long season and worked on building a strong fitness base so I am prepared when we are able to resume group sessions.

Additionally, do you think there are ways that a women's sport community like SWSCD could provide support to you? And how would you envision this happening?

Women's sport communities like SWSCD provide amazing support by sharing athlete stories. I think SWSCD has a great social media presence already, but maybe more personal methods of connecting women in sport could be added (i.e. guest speakers, for example). 

Connect with Canada's Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team

Want to send some good vibes to the Canada's Women's Indoor Field Hockey team?  Here are their social media coordinates.  

Facebook: @canindoorwomen

Instagram: @fhc_indoorwomen

Twitter: @canindoorhockey

Hashtags: #MindtheSkirt 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

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