Hockey's "face" hangs up her stick

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Mandy Smith has turned her back on a glittering international career, following her long-time friend and team-mate Anna Lawrence into retirement.

The 29-year-old veteran of 150 internationals over 12 years said the decision to quit was tinged with sadness.

"It is a huge load off my mind," Smith said yesterday.

"It was not a decision I made lightly, but in the end the injury was a big part in reaching the decision."

Smith had major back surgery six years ago - she had a disc removed from her spine - and was given only a 50-50 chance of playing again.

"That made me very determined.

"I had problems including some nerve damage that caused numbness in my leg, which was a bit scary." Smith clearly remembers her international debut as a 17-year-old while still at St Hilda's College in Dunedin.

"It was against Great Britain in Christchurch. I ran on like a headless chicken - I had no idea what I was doing."

Her first goal came several months later against Spain in a four-nation tournament in Wellington.

In 1999 she was the only New Zealander selected in a World XI who played in Egypt as part of hockey's 75th year celebrations.

Reluctantly considered the "face" of New Zealand hockey in the past few years, Smith said playing at two Olympics had given her one of the real highs and the biggest low of her career.

"Despite the disappointment of Sydney, it was a real high. We had an amazing time. The support was fantastic.

"It was a direct contrast to Barcelona in 1992, which was just an awful memory. I was only 19 and it was supposed to be the biggest and best thing of my life. It wasn't."

Smith said she had never been comfortable in the spotlight.

"Hockey is about 16 players. I'm very sensitive and found that difficult.

"I'm happy the team as a whole now have a profile.

"I just wanted to get out and play hockey, the sport I loved."

With her hockey stick now put away, Smith looks forward to dragging out the golf clubs and spending more time with her partner, Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker.

"We want to have time together," said Smith, who admits she gets frustrated at times by the intrusion into their private life.

She said she would miss her hockey, but added: "I have lost the fire in my belly.

"It is time to close that chapter - no, a novel - in my life."