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 Morgan Hanley

Morgan's background and history in field hockey

Morgan Hanley has played the sport of field hockey for the past seven years.   For the last two years, she's been an active member of the national women's indoor field hockey squad. Her initial introduction to indoor field hockey happened through her involvement with the Kitchener-Waterloo Dragons field hockey club.  In fact, it was Morgan's outdoor coach who invited her to come and play at an indoor practice.  After just one practice, I fell in love with the game!

What do you love most about field hockey?

I love that field hockey is a fast paced and competitive game.  You are always on your toes and making quick decisions.  I also think that having the ability to play off the sideboards that are used when playing indoor field hockey definitely add a whole extra layer of complexity and strategy.

 

Tell us about your favourite sport memory.

One of my favourite memories was when Canada held an indoor series with Guyana and Kazakhstan.  This was my first indoor cap ('cap' means 'game' in field hockey) for Canada and the series ended with a Canada versus Canada final.  That game was full of passion, intensity and pure joy for the game.

 

 

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

I think sports has given me so many opportunities and shaped me into the person I am today.  Sports teach us drive and motivation, but also perseverence to get us through the hard times.  Most importantly, sports can connect you to some of your best friends!  Find the sport you have a passion for and put your heart and soul into every opportunity you get to play it.

 

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?

At the start of the pandemic, it was very challenging for me to find any space to train. Practices had all been cancelled and fields were shut down. Thankfully, my dad was able to make a little turf pad and net so I was able to continue practicing some stick work and shooting in my backyard. It was also a great opportunity for me to really focus on fitness, and reach out to my teammates so we could still support one another through these challenging times.

 

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?

I think women's sports communities have a great platform to help motivate female athletes who cannot train because of COVID-19, or are doing minimal training due to the pandemic. Sports communities should unite and make female athletes feel supported and remind them that other women are facing the same challenges. I also think it is really important to remind people to control the things they can. Even if fields are shut down, you can still work on fitness, have a zoom call with teammates, work on 3D skills in your backyard grass, or find other ways to train. 

 

 

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 

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