Hockey for happiness and health

‘In terms of lifelong fitness and wellbeing you really can’t beat it.’ Former Hockeyroo, proud mother and high school teacher Shayni Nelson is proof of the positives playing hockey can have.

Shayni, who plays in the Perth Premier Division for University of WA (UWA), is one of the women who features in Hockey Australia’s new promotional ad encouraging women to get back to hockey.

To find out more and to track down your local hockey club and program, go to the Club Finder and enter your suburb or post code.

Having represented her country at the 2002 Champions Trophy, Shayni could arguably count herself unlucky not to have made more than five appearances for the Hockeyroos after being instrumental in helping WA to five Australian Hockey League titles and two runners up medals.

Nowadays, chasing after two boys, working full time as a high school teacher and voluntarily running the junior skills academy at UWA, Shayni is the definition of a woman juggling numerous responsibilities and duties. It’s no surprise that many who know her refer to her as Shayni ‘Buzzy’ Nelson.

But among her hectic schedule, taking time for herself and being on the hockey field is an integral part of it.

In between picking up her sons from swimming lessons and marking her students’ school work, Shayni found some time to talk about what it was like to be part of the new ad and why hockey is such an important part of her life.

What was it like featuring in the ad?

Shayni Nelson (SN): “It was really fun…we had a blast. The funny thing was, we finally got to the last take and the lights went out. So then we had to come back another night which obviously causes problems because everyone was so busy and it was the end of the year. We had a really good time though. The other girls were great. We had a few drinks afterwards and I really enjoyed it.”

How do you fit hockey and everything else you do into your schedule?

SN: “I guess I’ve got a lot of energy to burn. I get to bed at 11pm every night and am up by 5.45am to get everything done, but it’s good fun. I love doing the coaching stuff because you can see the kids improve. It’s pretty rewarding.”

When and why did you first pick up a hockey stick?

SN: “Mum played in Bunbury so she modelled it to me in terms of getting back into hockey after having kids. I started playing when I was about four. Being a country kid everyone plays sport – it’s a massive community based thing you do when you’re from a regional area.”

In regards to the ad which is about promoting and encouraging women to play hockey, why do you keep playing and what is the big appeal for you?

SN: “I still play in the Women’s Premier Division in Perth for UWA but a lot of the girls that got together to do the ad – they are ex UWA players and friends who now play for Uni Soaks (UWA Masters hockey team). The age range is anywhere from 35 to about 60. We share the same clubrooms so for me, the reason I play is the whole social aspect. My husband and I met at the hockey club so for us, all of my best friends are at hockey, my kids have grown up there and it’s a place that is really safe for them. The club has nurtured my kids and helped bring them up because you can take them down there and there are so many sets of eyes on them. It’s a safe, healthy and happy place for your kids, so that’s one of the reasons why I play because it’s a really good family thing to do.

As the ad alludes to, it’s a break away from work and the daily routine of being under pressure through life. It’s just good fun. Further to that, I think all women want to be challenged as well. I still play 1’s because I love playing against the current Hockeyroos and matching up against them.

I love the challenge of keeping fit so I can compete against them, and I think it’s still the same down the grades as well and the women embrace that. Once they are on the field it is game on, it doesn’t matter what grade it is. I have even been learning new skills over the past few years because I’ve had (current Kookaburras) Daniel Beale and Tom Wickham coaching us which has been awesome.

And we have some younger ones in our team, so if I can contribute to helping them be better hockey players and people then that is good to.”

How important is hockey for you as a release?

SN: “It definitely keeps me sane. It’s a really important part of my life. It is a time where I know I am going to catch up with my mates, so that social element is really important for me away from work. And then at the same time I am getting some exercise as well because that becomes hard fitting it in, so it is almost like killing two birds with one stone. I’m having fun catching up with my mates but at the same time I’m staying healthy. And being time poor, that’s important. I tend to do a lot of my socialising through exercise. You tend to have less time to go to the pub and have some drinks with your friends when you’ve got kids, but if you can catch up with them while you’re running around, for me that’s a good use of time.”

For a lot of women who are mums, does prioritising time to have a hit and be out on the field improve your physical and mental wellbeing?

SN: “I think it’s good for your kids to realise that it is not all about them. Getting out and playing hockey is something you’re doing for yourself as well. I do a lot for my kids but for them to know that you give some time for yourself is really important. You’ve got goals yourself you want to reach.

One of the things that makes our sport amazing is it is such a gender equal sport. Cricket and footy go on about their women’s programs but we have never had inequality in hockey. In terms of equality and respect for both genders, hockey has always had that and that is the beauty of it.

It’s a really social, family thing that should make it easier for people to get back into our sport because it is so family orientated. Importantly, my return to hockey after having kids was made easier because I have a supportive husband who also plays hockey and enjoys being at the club with his mates. No doubt it will be more difficult for some women than others, but it is definitely worth it when it comes to happiness and health. The other thing about hockey is we can play it in our 80’s, so in terms of lifelong fitness and wellbeing you really can’t beat it.”