Josie Inverdale – My sporting life so far…

My family and I live and breathe sport and I am really lucky to have gone to some amazing events all around the world. When I was 8 years old I went to the Olympics in Sydney and fell in love with the Games.

I always watched sport from a very young age and I first picked up a tennis racket when I was 4 and played competitively on the international circuit until I was 18 years old. When I was at school I was a keen swimmer and cross-country runner, representing my county, Surrey, at both.

I started playing hockey at the age of 10 because all the other sports I was doing were individual sports and my parents thought it would be a good idea if I played a team game. My career started at Teddington Hockey Club, which is one of the best clubs in the country for junior coaching and thanks to them, I was selected for the national squad at the age of 14. For the last 6 years I have been a member of the England U16, and U18 teams, captaining both age groups. Now I am currently preparing for the World Cup with the England u21s.

Through playing hockey for my country and my club, Leicester, I have travelled to many parts of the world which has given me some wonderful experiences and made me much more self sufficient, as well as teaching me how to get on with a variety of people when away from home for a long time. In January I competed in the Youth Olympics in Australia, in the same Olympic Park where I watched the Games 13 years before. It was an amazing experience for me and one that I will never forget!

One of the great things about hockey – and why I would recommend it to anyone, boy or girl – is that it is a sport of skill and endurance with a role in the team for individuals with a wide range of skill sets. Most important of all though, from the moment you start playing you make friends who in some cases will stay with you for the rest of your life. It is great fun and it creates a camaraderie that really does enhance your life.