Shona McCallin gives inspiring message on professional game to Newark Hockey Club juniors

One of the country’s biggest hockey stars has revealed her path to the professional game in a bid to inspire young members at Newark Hockey Club.

Shona McCallin, an Olympic gold medalist, told youngsters at Newark to be prepared to make sacrifices to make it to the top at an exclusive question and answer session with her first club, as part of filming with TTS Media.

The Dry Doddington star, who joined Newark aged six, said: “The road to international hockey is a tricky one.

“It is full of ups and downs and making sacrifices.

“Whether that is missing social events or parties, or having to stay in and do school work because you have training the next day.

“You miss out on quite a lot of stuff and it is a lot of hard work, but, at the end of the day, it is all worth it.”

She also revealed important lessons she learnt at the club.

McCallin said: “I looked up to Christine Fergusson, who was the coach. She taught me a lot about hockey.

“I was slightly scared of her, but I think that was a good thing because you really wanted to work hard for her.

“Player wise, I looked up to Sophie Robinson, she was a couple of years older than me and playing international hockey.

“I really wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

The 27-year-old has recently returned to the game after a concussion left her sidelined for more than a year and she said she looks back on her time at Newark with joy, having developed at the club, and even played with her aunt, cousin and sister in one game.

“I remember it was lots of fun, we worked really hard in training and I will always remember the mascots that we had at Newark, for the Otters and the Beavers,” she said.

“I still have my first shirt, which was green and red checks, which is special for me.”

Part one and two of a three part interview can be viewed on Newark Hockey Club's official Facebook account and TTS Media, also on Facebook.