What are members of the Women’s National Team doing when they’re not training in Vancouver? Many of the younger athletes are currently competing with the Women’s Junior National Team (U21). Others are gaining valuable international experience abroad.
We caught up with Thea Culley in Germany and Danielle Hennig, Marian Dickinson, Kaitlyn Williams and Kate Thompson in Australia.
THEA CULLEY (Hamburg, Germany – Klipper THC)
Why is training internationally important to you as a National Team athlete?
Training internationally is important to me because it is an experience that we currently can’t replicate in Canada. One of the biggest challenges facing our Women’s team is the lack of high-level matches that we play each year. Playing in a game is difficult to replicate in training and I will be able to take part in about a dozen German league games and at least one weekend of EHL matches. It is also an opportunity to learn little things that may be second nature to other countries but not so common in Canada.
What are your goals during your time in Germany?
My goal is to soak up as much knowledge as I can. After being here for a month I have learned that there are some things that our National Team is quite proficient at and then others that we are not. Personally, I will be working on my individual skills and trying to work out the kinks of my elimination moves.
What do you hope to “bring home” with you?
Besides some really good chocolate? Tighter individual skills and a wider range of tactical tools.
Any funny or entertaining “cross-cultural” experiences?
Apparently speaking German and speaking English using German words are not the same thing. I don’t quite understand why my teammates don’t understand what I am saying because I think it makes perfect sense (so does my mom).
It is a miracle that I haven’t missed a team function yet as it has come to my attention that Google translate is less than perfect. I thought my system of deciphering emails was working well until Google forgot to mention that the “team meeting” I was going to was actually a going away party and I was supposed to bring food.
What is your favourite part of life in Germany?
The notion that Nutella is a perfectly acceptable topping for bread at any or all meals and the fact that there are more H&Ms in Hamburg than Starbucks in Vancouver. I know, I didn’t think that was possible either.
What do you miss most about Canada?
There are a few things that I miss about living in Canada: 1) Buying groceries without breaking into a nervous sweat as I go to pay. I never know how much I owe and I can never find the proper change. I usually just dump all the money I have on the counter and let the cashier take what is needed. 2) Fiber cereal, and up until two days ago Greek yogurt. 3) Contributing to the joke. My quick wit isn’t so quick after translation. 4) My teammates on the WNT. Playing with Team Canada is second to none.
DANIELLE HENNIG (Brisbane, Australia – Bulimba)
Why is training internationally important to you as a National Team athlete?
It gives us the opportunity to consistently be exposed to a high level of hockey. As well, getting to play with different players and coaches we are seeing many new and different styles of play than what we experience in Canada and I hope to be able to learn from them and integrate some of these different tactics and skills into my game at home.
What are your goals during your time in Australia?
To take on every opportunity that comes to me (hockey related or not) and learn as much as I can.
What do you hope to “bring home” with you?
A wider knowledge of the game and more diverse skill set.
Any funny or entertaining “cross-cultural” experiences?
We’ve got to do quite a few touristy things since we have been here, so for me getting to hold a Koala is near the top of my list for exciting experiences. There have also definitely been a few laughs at mine and Krissy’s expense with our team, either when we use Canadian slang or don’t understand their slang terms… it’s also weird to have people commenting on our accent.
What is your favourite part of life in Australia?
I’m loving it all – the weather, the new teammates and friends, the hockey. It’s great to be playing lots and developing as a hockey player while also gaining so many new life experiences.
What do you miss most about Canada?
Aside from family, friends, and teammates which is obvious – the cold. It sounds weird and I know I sometimes complain about the cold weather, but there are some times here where you just wish for a small respite from the heat and humidity.
MARIAN DICKINSON (Melbourne, Australia – Altona)
Why is training internationally important to you as a National Team athlete?
Hockey is played in so many places around the world. There isn’t just one way of doing things. As a national team athlete, it’s important to gain exposure to different coaches and different styles of play. There’s something to learn from every coach you play for, and incorporating all those things into your game will make you a more rounded player.
What are your goals during your time in Australia?
I’m excited to play a long season with a lot of competitive matches. Having so many games will give me the opportunity to put into play all the skills we work on in practice, and challenge me to execute in a high pressure environment. As well, playing on a new team will give me the opportunity to take on new roles and develop confidence and leadership.
What do you hope to “bring home” with you?
A koala. But I’ve heard they’re hard to import. Most importantly I want to bring home game experience.
Any funny or entertaining “cross-cultural” experiences?
Our club team is constantly finding things to tease us about. We’re an endless source of entertainment for them. But one of my biggest challenges has been learning to drive standard on the other side of the road. Our first weekend here I convinced a teammate to let me drive, and immediately after leaving the carpark I turned straight into oncoming traffic.
What is your favourite part of life in Australia?
I was born in Australia and lived here for 10 years before moving to Canada, so I have a lot of family here that I don’t know very well. It’s been great to spend some time getting to know them a little better. I’m also really enjoying the sporting lifestyle that Aussies embrace, and of course the beaches!
What do you miss most about Canada?
My teammates, of course. Those of us in Australia are already planning a rendezvous. It’s also hard to be away from ice hockey playoffs (even though the Flames are already out)!
KAITLYN WILLIAMS (Brisbane, Australia – Ascots)
Why is training internationally important to you as a National Team athlete?
Training internationally is important because it allows us to gain more experience and learn different styles of hockey. By keeping an open mind and working with different people we are able to get new ideas and different perspectives of the game with will allow us to become more adaptable players.
What are your goals during your time in Australia?
My goal while I’m here is to work hard and take advantage of what a great learning opportunity this is. As well as working on consistency when executing technical skills I want to work on making decisions under pressure as well as coming up with different ways to solve problems. When I get home I want to feel confident playing any opposition.
Any funny or entertaining “cross-cultural” experiences?
Culturally, Australians and Canadians are pretty similar. People here are easy- going and really friendly. We’re starting to pick up on some of the slang they use and we’re having fun trying new foods. Some of the people here have been giving us a hard time because we put peanut butter on everything.
What is your favourite part of life in Australia?
My favourite part about life in Australia is the weather and the beaches. I love being in the sun and even though it’s going into winter here, it’s still hot and sunny all the time.
What do you miss most about Canada?
The thing I miss most about home is my friends and family. I was really lucky to get the opportunity to come here with two other girls on the Canadian team. This is my first time playing in another country so being able to do this with people I already know has been really fun.
KATE THOMPSON (Perth, Australia – Old Aquinas Hockey Club)
Why is training internationally important to you as a National Team athlete?
Training internationally offers an excellent opportunity to play with different people and learn from a variety of coaches – of course it is fun as well! The club hockey in Perth is high in quality, making it a good place to work on individual skills among other things.
What are your goals during your time in Australia?
My goals are: to improve on my individual skills, to continue to increasing my fitness, and to learn as much as I can.
Any funny or entertaining “cross-cultural” experiences?
There haven’t been many strange or funny cross-cultural moments yet, but there are definitely some weird sayings here! Not only are their sayings ridiculous, when I don’t understand them and I ask them to explain what they are talking about they explain using a saying that is equally weird!
What is your favourite part of life in Australia?
I think my favourite thing about Perth is that is a very easy fit. The people are extremely welcoming and overall are very similar to people from home. Perth is small, in terms of the city, but there are lots of interesting things to see and do and plenty of people willing to show it to you.
What do you miss most about Canada?
The two things I miss the most about Canada are my family and the mountains – the sky here is HUGE without any mountains to disrupt the horizon, especially when I am standing on the beach with the Indian ocean in front of me!
