Commonwealth Games: Lizzy Igasan, hockey player

These days you play for North Harbour but where did it start?
I was born in Whangarei on September 16, 1982 and played my early hockey for Northland. I went to Whangarei Girls High for three years before doing my sixth and seventh form years at Rangitoto College.

When did you start playing hockey? I had a stick in my hand from the time I was four. It was a mix between my sisters and mum who got me started.

What can you remember of those early days?
The skirts were way too big, the shin pads were up to my knees and we played on grass.

Your first rep team?
Northland under-11. I also played Collier Trophy in Auckland. Mum was the manager so I was keen to play but I nearly missed out because I broke my collarbone six weeks before tournament.

Did you play any other sports?
I did athletics, mainly discus and shot, when I was younger but I wasn't so keen on the skimpy shorts so I gave it away. Later I played touch and mini-ball - anything to get off school.

When did you first play senior rep hockey?
When I was in the third form. I played at a tournament in Wanganui. My sister Connie was in the team.

How strong is the family tie?
Very. My sisters Connie and Mary-Anne and brother James have all played rep hockey. Our mother would have been very proud when Connie and I played together for New Zealand for the first time in Japan in 2003. Sadly, she died earlier that year.

Your mother was a big part of your life, what about your father?
My parents broke up when I was 4. He is living in Australia and is going to the Commonwealth Games. It is a new era in my life.

These will be your first Commonwealth Games?
Yes. I had my bags packed and was ready to go to Manchester four years ago but I injured my wrist and missed out. It was a freak accident. I understand how Meredith Orr is feeling now.

How many more years do you give yourself?
Not sure. Depends on how much silverware we win this year. The focus is very much on the now.

Honor Dillon seems to attract plenty of attention in much the same way Mandy Smith did.  What about Lizzy Igasan?
I definitely didn't take up hockey to be the glamour girl.

You seem to have a special understanding with fellow defender Di Weavers. How important is that?
She is awesome. We have absolute trust. It is almost like having rope tying us together. I had the same understanding when playing with [fellow Northlander] Paula Enoka.

With Niniwa Roberts-Lang not going to Melbourne, you will take a bigger role at penalty corners.
Thanks. I will not being getting into drag flicks though. I have enough to practice without that.

What have been the highlights?
Winning the Champions Challenge in the United States last year was definitely one.  For a change we actually won something, which is not easy when most of the time you are playing the top six teams in the world. It was something we earned and deserved. It was a long time coming. We built up for six months and I felt I contributed something. Playing the Olympics in Athens will always be a highlight.

And not just for the hockey?
No. It is first and foremost a competition, not an event but it was good to mix with and see other sportspeople like Hamish Carter, Sarah Ulmer and the Evers-Swindell sisters.

Do you have a sporting hero?
Not as such but I have huge respect for a lot of people like Michael Jordan and Michael Campbell for what they have achieved.

How do you relax?
I spend as much time as I can with my partner. I met him five years ago at teachers training college, in Auckland.

And work?
I now work for Harbour Sports. They are an amazing bunch of people and very supportive.

You were nominated for player of the year and have twice been named NZ hockey player of the year. What about a three-peat?
Why not?

Would you change anything?
No. I have learned a lot about myself and life. It has been a huge roller-coaster but I feel I'm a better partner, sister and hockey player for it. For the first two years I was in the Black Sticks I was swept away by it all. I forgot about life outside hockey.