Hockey: Gunson's hard yards after setback

Whangarei's Ella Gunson has worked hard to fight her way back into the Black Sticks, after playing her last international nearly two years ago at the London Olympics. Photo / John Stone

Returning Black Stick Ella Gunson easily remembers what it was like to not make the team, something which has made her re-selection a little bit more satisfying.

While small children climb over the 25-year-old, which is not uncommon in her day job as an early childhood helper, Gunson recalls being told she needed to be fitter and show more to coach Mark Hagar - something which wasn't easy to hear.

At the time, Gunson had just returned from a year of study in Boston after having been part of the 2012 London Olympic team.

Having been part of the Olympic hockey team, and then cut, Gunson has been hungrier than ever this season to bust her way back in.

"Being in the team since 2009 - through to 2012 - I absolutely loved it, and then taking that break I absolutely loved that as well," the Whangarei livewire said.

"But the year where I took a break to Boston I didn't quite make it back into the team which was tough.

"Mark Hagar was really good and told me straight up that I hadn't shown him enough to get back in the team, and girls who had taken my spot had done really well and had been playing well. I just hadn't done enough.

"So, to get back in is an amazing feeling - I still can't believe it at times."

Making the cut again has not been an easy ride for Gunson after only having the National Hockey League season to prove she was fitter and ready for international hockey again.

However, helping in the re-selection process has been hockey-mad Educare owner Alan Lints, who employed Gunson on a part-time basis about five months ago so she could do the training required.

Gunson said having a supportive employer has been crucial in her finding the time needed to train - including rigorous Northland pre-season fitness training lead by Jon Renes.

"Being hockey people they're [Lints and wife Jackie] always asking so it almost makes you train harder for them.

"It makes it about other people, rather than yourself. The people who have been supporting you want to reward them, and that goes for the whole hockey community up here."

Lints and Gunson's workmates organised a surprise morning tea to celebrate the Black Sticks' news last Friday, with the kids dressing up and wearing "#TeamElla" signs.

While it was possible to continue living in Northland, Gunson has chosen to make the move to Auckland to be in and around the high-performance training environment.