Hockey: Whirlwind year ahead for Bay star

Emily Naylor is hoping to be the sole Hawke's Bay rep in the Black Sticks women's team at the Rio Olympics.

After a year off its been a busy 2016 for Hawke's Bay hockey star Emily Naylor - and it's just going to get busier.

As well as training for an upcoming series in Argentina, and hoping to make the final squad for the Rio Olympics, the 30-year-old has also been preparing for her wedding.

"It's been a busy time, there's been lots going on - I've been planning the wedding, I start training this week, and I've also been working with the Festival of Hockey", she said.

"It's just juggling everything all the time, but I've got a supportive fiance."

"I'm really looking forward to the wedding, and then getting right back into hockey."

She will be marrying Havelock North's Harry Gaddum in Taupo later this month - and the week after will be leaving the country to play six tests against world No2 Argentina.

"Once I get over there I'll probably feel a bit nervous getting into it, but right now I feel more excited than nervous."

Hopefully, this won't be her only visit to South America this year.

Naylor said her goal was to be part of a 25-player squad for the Olympics which will be selected next week, and one of the final 16 chosen in June.

"It's going to be hard after taking the year off, and there is a lot of challenge within the team. I think I have a fairly good chance but I'm still going to have to work really hard."

After taking time off following the 2014 Glasgow games, the midfielder played again for the first time in October in the series against Argentina only to suffer a hamstring injury in the first game.

"It was a disappointing first game back, I was looking forward to playing a few games again but when it happened I knew it wasn't good."

It took 10 weeks to come right but fortunately she was able to run again after six weeks and kept her fitness up.

"It was alright timing though because it was over the holidays, but it will be really good to get back into hockey."

As well as working with the festival, Naylor also worked with Woodford House, Iona College, and several primary schools during her time off.

She had been running, going to the gym, and doing injury rehab.