‘Encourage youngsters into sport’ – McCallin
GUERNSEY’S budding young players had the chance to learn from one of the best in the business at the weekend.
Great Britain and England star Shona McCallin, who is an Olympic, European and Commonwealth champion, was the special guest at Sunday morning’s Hockey Fest at Footes Lane as part of a whistle-stop visit to the island.
So what was her message to the youngsters she met?
‘As cliched as it sounds, just enjoy it. Sport has given me so many opportunities in life, the ability to make friends, the ability to build confidence, socialise, to meet other people which I wouldn’t meet without sport, learn new skills, be happier, be healthier,’ McCallin said.
‘Of course, being an international athlete comes with its challenges and adds stress at some points in your life, but the overall feeling I have about sport is one of positivity and I think for all youngsters growing up they should be encouraged, if able to, to get into sport in some capacity just because of the opportunities and joy it can bring.’
On her trip, the 30-year-old Olympian also visited Headway Guernsey to help drive awareness about the dangers of concussion in sport.
McCallin experienced it first hand when she was injured during an international match on tour for Great Britain against Argentina in 2018 and it took her ‘nearly a whole year to get back to being normal Shona again’.
She said meeting people in Guernsey who have also suffered with concussion was ‘a real eye-opener’.
‘It’s encouraged me to continue sharing what I know about concussion and educating people to remove the stigma that it’s “just a bang on the head, it’s just a headache and you can run it off and you’ll be OK”,’ she said.
‘There were times in 2018 when I just didn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. I couldn’t see myself living a normal life, let alone living an international hockey player’s life. I was riddled with doubt that I would be able to return to international hockey.
‘The year out definitely taught me not to take anything for granted and also, twinned with Covid, not being able to play international sport for over a year has made me super thankful of the ability and opportunity to play international sport.
‘Health and happiness will always be my number one priority in life, but sport brings something really special into my life as well.’
The full interview with Shona McCallin will be on this week’s Guernsey Press Sports Podcast, available from Thursday.
