Marnie Hudson

Details

Category: Hockey

How did you become involved your sport?

My mum played and I guess it was an easy way for me to be babysat while she played!

Do you have a sporting mentor?

My mum is a sports nut she loves everything and anything when it comes to sport. If it wasn't for her i doubt i'd be involved in sport.

Who is your sporting hero?

I wouldn't say I have a sporting hero as such, but since i was young I have always admired the guts and determination of surf life saving Ironman Dean Mercer always displayed. Amazing to watch someone with a "Never Say Die" attitude which is something I like to carry with me every time I hit the hockey pitch

Age you started in your sport?

I started playing hockey at around the age of 4 or 5 at our local grass fields. Back in the day they would have a about 10 fields running at a time and the mornings would start with all the age groups followed through to the afternoon with A grade men and women playing. Once the last match was finished all the kids would jump in the groundskeepers trailer and help collect all the rubbish bins etc. and then party the night away. I loved the all day family affair so i guess that's what kept me coming back year after year.

Age, Weight and Height?

23
59kg
165cm

Accreditation's/Certificates/Degrees?

I have deferred study to concentrate on Olympic preparation but I was studying a Bachelor of Arts and one day I hope to become a social worker or primary school teacher

What is the reason you continue to play your sport today/motivation?

Leading a healthy and active lifestyle is the way I choose to live my life and what better way to do that then by playing sport, hockey for that matter. Hockey is a fantastic team sport and at the end of a hard match you know you didn't go it alone. Right now it doesn't take much to motivate me, it only takes one simple word......Olympics.

What is your current club?

Labrador Hockey Club, Gold Coast. Whenever i'm home I love the opportunity to play with these guys.

People that have inspired you not only in sport but in life aswell?

My mum has been the biggest inspiration in my life inside and out of sport. She has an amazing strength that I have never seen in anyone else. You will always find her working as hard as she can to give myself and my sister the best opportunities in life. One day I hope to display the same strength and sense of family and community that she does. She has shaped the person I am and my amazing friends continue to mould who I am.

My closets friends continuous support in my endeavours, they never miss our games wherever they are, even when there on holidays they source the closet TV with foxtel and force the owners to switch to the hockey.

And in the last year or so Kayaker Ken Wallace has really helped me out and pushed me in the right direction when I'd hit a low point in my career.

Great experiences that happened in your life?

Apart from having the opportunity to suite up in the green and gold it's the little rewards that are memorable as well. From appearances on AFL pre-game shows, back stage meet and greets of bands such as Good Charlotte and New Empire, competing in NBL celebrity half time shoot outs and of course the overseas trips which gives us a chance to experience and learn about different cultures.

Your Interests and Hobbies outside of your sport?

Im a keen surfer and like to get out whenever I can as it's a place where i can really relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Other than that you will always find me at a coffee shop when im not training or at the beach. I don't mind the odd drip of coffee and am a self confessed coffee snob.

One tip or quote which continues to inspire you?

I have always loved this one particular poem that my mum gave me many years ago, it is said to be written about Lleyton Hewitt.
"Show me who hold's on when other's let go
Who know's no words as CAN'T and QUIT
And I'll show you a man who will win the end" Unkown Author.

For me this poem is something that can be applied in everyday life and in sport it really sends home the message of NEVER GIVE UP.

Family Background and current family?

Mum - Anne
Dad - Chris (1955-2011)
Sister - Shelby

Happiest memory?

Would have to be being announced in the Hockeyroo's squad for the first time. I had been surfing all morning as I knew it was being announced that day so I thought I'd keep distracted. Once I'd hopped out of the water I'd had a txt from ex Kookburra Brent Livermore congratulating me before I'd even had the chance to read the email of the team announcement. My best friend that had been with me at the time freaked out and burst into tears. We spent the rest of day at our local cafe in shock.

Who did you grow up idolizing?

I've had a quite a few hockey idols. When I was young I really liked a local girl Natalie Hughes who at the time was playing for the QLD Scorchers and I begged mum to buy me the same stick as her.
Once I started playing club hockey in Brisbane I joined the same team as Nikki Hudson and learnt alot from playing with her. By the time I had debuted for the Qld Scorchers I really looked up to Angie Lambert (Skirving) and Maddonna Blyth, two players that have always shown belief in my ability.

Who has been your most influential coach?

A man by the name of Ian Jennings really brought my hockey to the surface. He was a tough coach and we had a love hate relationship when it came to hockey but he really turned my hockey around. He had an amazing way of  simplifying the game of hockey where alot of coaches tend to complicate the game. A lot of early skill development I really owe to him. If you worked hard for him he would work hard for you.

How has playing your sport changed your life?

Playing hockey has taught me how to be resilient and most of all patient. Good things will come to those who wait.

What is the greatest advice you can pass onto young players?

Simply "Never Give Up". Whenever I'd have a bad day on the pitch Mum would always shrug it off and say "Do you believe you'll play hockey for Australia?.........Then don't give up!".
It has taking me long time to get to where I am today, long hours thousands of hockey balls and plenty of blood sweat and tears, but I believed in myself and my dream.

Were you one of the best players growing up?

I have always been a hard trainer since a young age so all my results came from hard work.

Training Background(sports, etc)?

My parents had always thought it was important for myself and my sister to be active and involved in many different activities. We played a range of different sports at school such as soccer, touch football, netball and basketball. Outside of school we were involved in dancing, surf life saving and of course hockey. Not only did my parents see sport as a great way of keeping active but a great way of meeting other kids that shared the same interests and these people continue to still be great friends and supporters of my hockey.

Favourite Foods/Type of diet you follow?

I don't necessarily follow any particular diet but I do stick to foods that will give me the best results on the field and the best possible recovery after matches. I like eating plenty of fresh fruit and vege, pastas and high protein foods such as chicken and beans. Occasionally I like to treat my self with a bit of chocolate at the end of the week and Mexican food is a big favourite of mine.

Favourite Bodypart to Train plus training spilt(training schedule + fav session)

My favourite drills at training are goal scoring drills there always the most fun and competitive. As for favourite body part to train I go through different phases for instance at the moment with my injury i have been doing alot of upper body strength so I can't wait to get back into leg work and build my strength back up in those areas

Describe a typical day?

Monday: 2hr group skills and fitness session
Tuesday: Morning Gym session and afternoon individual skills session
Wednesday: Morning 2hr group skill and fitness session followed by penalty corner specialty training
Thursday: Morning Gym session and afternoon individual skills session
Friday: Morning 2hr group skill and fitness session followed by "Hockey School" where we watch and review footage of trainings collected from the weeks training and then an afternoon gym session.
Saturday: Intra squad games/local club games.

Worst injury you have suffered?

I am suffering from a very rare injury at the moment, it is called avascular necrossis in my second toe which is basically a lack of blood flow in the bone which is resulting in my bone to die. At the moment I am in a resting period so I am required to wear a boot (cast) for 8 weeks and limit weight bearing activities which has been the most frustrating and longest time away from my sport, eventually it will require surgery. I have also fractured my jaw and had my three front teeth knocked out and put back in. Apart from that i have been quite lucky with injury touch wood!

Sporting/Club History and positions played?

I have played for a few local clubs on the Gold Coast growing up but my development years were played with Labrador Hockey Club on the Gold Coast and I continue to play with them whenever I'm home. I have mostly played in the midfield for most of my hockey career but in recent years I have been moved up into the forward line to utilise my speed as much as possible. I currently play in the forward line with the Hockeyroos but I love to get into the midfield as much as possible as it is a very diverse role.

Greatest sporting moment you have had thus far? Achievement to this point?

My greatest sporting moment to date would be putting on the green and gold for the very first time. A moment I will continue to be proud of for the rest my life. The work that went into getting to that point in my career was extremely hard but unbelievably rewarding.

Who has been your greatest rival on the field?

As I haven't been on the international scene for very long I haven't had a chance to form an onfield rivalry. I still find my biggest rivals back home on the Gold Coast with the girls I have grown up playing against because they know my skill base as intimately as I do.

What is your favourite movie?

I was a sucker for "Toy Story 3" not going to lie it brought me to tears and just like any other girl a good Hollywood heart throb flick will get me, I'm going through a big Ryan Gossling phase.

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

My Mum has taught me an amazing level of strength. From my Dad I took every choice we make in life has an impact on more people than just that one person.

How do you deal with temptation?

To not get in a situation where I will be tempted.

What is your favourite music/band/song?

I really love my music and strongly believe every song has a story. I listen to lots of different bands mainly alternate and indie rock, bit of old school rock and chillout acoustic transic stuff depending on the day and my mood.

What is your biggest fear?

SNAKES...nothing more to say

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

Yes most certainly, if I gave up on my dream the first time I didn't make a team then I wouldn't be where I am today and I wouldn't have learnt to "Never Give Up"

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

With any success comes failure. Success is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "I will try again tomorrow". For any team or squad selection I have missed I seek inspiration from those who truly believe in me.

What inspired you to succeed?

What mostly keeps me going today is the sense of pride I see in my friends and family who always support me.

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

I went through many different phases as a kid many of the usuals but i'll never forget my Mum telling me that I use to like this one particular white picket fence in my Nana's street and I told mum that i'd like to build fences.

Typical game day routine?

Wake up and have breakfast then take a stroll with a coffee. If the game is after lunch then ill always try and have my Vegemite that I take all over the world with me. I always like to give myself an hour to get ready before team meetings so usually with an hour to go on the dot I put my music on and suit up, put my trademark braid through my hair, some zinc on and chill trying to visualize myself scoring goals until it's time to head to the meeting.

I try to keep it pretty fun and relaxed in the change room listen to music that the team listens to have a bit of a change room dance off then the minute we hit the pitch for warm up it's back to focus mode.

What is the ultimate prize for you in your sport and why?

Olympic Gold and World Cup, it's the pinnacle of Hockey!

Your Future Goals in your sport , what are goals after you have finished playing?

To maintain my spot in the Hockeyroos squad and obviously be fit and healthy come Olympic team selection later this year. As for my future goals, eventually finish my degree and put back into hockey by coaching/officiating because hockey has given me so much.

What's the one thing about you few people know?

I don't have too many deep dark secrets but not many peolple know that odd numbers can really freak me out I always have the volume on an even number in the car radio and on the TV, something my sister likes to taunt me about.

What one item can you not live without?

I hate saying my mobile phone but these days with smartphones I find i'm carrying my whole life on it with contacts emailing and scheduling. Other than that I'm a big Vegemite fan and have it nearly everyday so it shares top spot with my iphone.

People you would like to thank?

My family and friends and the many different faces in coaching roles that have had there significant input throughout the years along with Paradigm Sports.

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