Introduction

Lisa's Blog continues... Following the success of Lisa's previous blogs, she has agreed to carry on blogging. You can access all of the previous blog entries through the archive on the right, these cover the 2006 Commonwealth Games, World Cup Qualifying Tournament and the World Cup itself.

Monday, March 27, 2006

The Last Entry from Down Under

Well I know you must all be sad knowing this is my last entry from Down Under. I have a lot to tell you but not loads of time!

Yesterday the last day of the tournament was the Bronze and Gold medal matches for the men. Like us our England men were playing for Bronze against Malaysia. All of us girls had been out the night before to celebrate our medal with parents in tow. We desperately wanted our men to do the same so we could celebrate together in style after the closing ceremony. The men played well and had so many chances it just wasn't going to be their day. Malaysia had a couple of attacks and scored two goals. They were gutted. We really felt for them, it was hard to know how to approach them after such a devastating result and we were sat with a bronze already. Still it didn't stop them celebrating.

The closing ceremony was awesome, as we were so close to the ground level we couldn't appreciate the full effects of the performances but the atmosphere was great. The best part was being invited down into the arena for the athletes party. We were getting all the memento's we could from the performers, flowers, glasses and tiara's it was hilarious. I managed to get myself a tiara and became a princess for the evening.

After the closing ceremony we all headed into town to the Pommie Palace - it was a great evening.

Today we have had a day of packing and buying those last minute gifts for peeps back home. In our debrief meeting we were reminded it is 29 days till we play our first match at the World Cup Qualifier against Ukraine, not long. This is the most important tournament for the team as we have to qualify for the World Cup to ensure we get funding.

I have been to take a picture of the wall of fame this afternoon - a wall where all the athletes that have won a medal are placed.

I'd like to say lastly, a very big thank you to all that have been reading my blog and sending positive thoughts. I'll be home very shortly and I'm sure Chloe and I will have our medals with us all the time I'm sure so please ask if you want to have a look, we may even let you touch!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

A Day to Remember

Commonwealth Games - Broze medal winning England teamFirstly, A Big Thank you everyone for all those positive vibes we could feel them zooming across the world to us here down under in their thousands.

Secondly, YIIIIPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! We are all over the moon. What a game, what a finish and what a feeling. I hope we didn't cause you all too many nail biting moments sat in your armchairs.

Commonwealth Games - InterviewI guess many of you want to ask about my stroke that I took - Sorry guys! Those who know me were probably already second guessing the corner I was to aim for, and I didn't change my mind, same old! I felt really confident as always stepping up to take the stroke. Danny asked the five of us if we wanted them, we all obviously jumped at the chance, he named his order so up I stepped. Kate won the toss and I said confidently to take first if we got the opportunity. So up I step, I recall a long walk from the half way line, took the ball from the umpire put it in place, stepped back looked at the goal, got into my ready position, the next thing the umpire asks if we are both read I reply with a confident yes, then as normal took to dummy the right and then caught the ball with too much stick which powers the ball past the post - oh dear! floods of emotions rushed through me, absolutely gutted, so confident, practised a thousand times, just one wrong movement - I think I wanted to put it in with too much power, lost the thought process for a second and chance was blown. GUTTED doesn't quite encapsulate how I was feeling. On jogging back to team mates they were really good, gave me a hug and told me not to worry Reidy was in goal and on fire - I didn't weirdly. I just knew, we all did. It was to be our day, those positive thoughts were riffling round and Reidy our hero pulled it out the bag - two saves. Awesome! What a feeling from then on - it couldn't have been more overwhelming. From gutted to elated within minutes.


Commonwealth Games - Lisa Wooding with MedalCelebrating in style we then had to calm down and finish our warm down professionally with our normal ten minutes in the ice bath, which I have to say were exceptionally cold today! then was out to see Mum and Dad and then prepare for medal ceremony. And that too was a great moment, standing on podium with medal in hand, lets just hope we can emulate that in 2008 Bejing!


Commonwealth Games - Chloe Rogers with MedalNow its a little relaxation then out to party with the team, friends and family. Soak up some Melbourne sun and have a nice rest day off tomorrow. Lets hope the men win Bronze tomorrow too then it will be an even better closing ceremony tomorrow night.

I can't wait to be home now - and don't forget - 2nd April @ Reading Chelm v Hightown in the cup. (Have I plugged it enough yet!)

Love to all

Friday, March 24, 2006

Another Rest Day

As promised the time of the game tomorrow is 10.30am Sat 25th our time so 11.30pm 24th your time. So have a late night, glass of wine or beer or two in hand, get comfy in the armchair and scream and shout at the TV with support. Only shout positive things none of this "should have done this", "should of done that" 'cos it's not that easy on the pitch! Purely positive vibes is what we need. OK!

Today is about getting our feet up, draining the lactic acid build up from our legs and preparing ourselves for tomorrow's efforts.

We had an evening off yesterday, so Chloe and I made the most of escaping from the village and having an evening in Melbourne with our parents and Becky Herbert's parents. It was nice to get away for a short period refresh and come back revitalised.

Commonwealth Games - Mollie with flagI can't believe I have been away for nearly a month. It really doesn't feel that long. Time flies when your having fun. I look forward to coming home, seeing all friends and family and then preparing for the cup final on Sunday 2nd in Reading. It should be a great game and Chelm need your support for that too. So if you've enjoyed reading about the teams efforts out here then please continue your support and follow the Ladies 1st XI in the cup final, Chloe and I will be both be playing, its a game not to be missed.

REMEMBER +ve vibes!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

We gave it a good go - just not quite good enough!

The day began in a very jovial mood. We felt really confident that we could give the Aussie's a great game. When we prepare for a game it's like we are preparing to go for a night on the town. The music goes on and we dance around hairbrush in hand whilst we put on our playing kit, do our hair, tattoos and some apply make up. It's a great way of building ourselves up. That feeling you get when your off out for the night and time is getting on you have a glass of wine in hand and you put the tunes on to try and build yourself up for the evening, it's a very similar just minus the wine, adrenaline takes it's place. We have one tune in particular that we play over and over and it works a treat. By the time we are already to leave the house we are all focused and prepared to take on our oppo.

This morning was no different, everyone was pumped and set to go. Looking round the team I could sense that everyone was motivated and confident and were full of belief. Once we got to the pitch we have some faff time then its into the physical warm up. We jog four half laps of the pitch as you pass the crowd they clap, wave and scream which is always a great feeling. The jog round this morning was comical as we were given a bit of Aussie banter, they absolutely love sport out here and it was great to hear some of their banter directed at us it just makes you want to stun them into silence with our play - the more the better. Moving onto the stick and ball warm up which we all looked pretty sharp in gave me that feeling that we were onto a winner. It wasn't to be.

The first half was tight but I felt we controlled the game far more than they did. We had some good chances and some penalty corners just nothing went for us. Even the umpiring wasn't atrocious! They unfortunately scored a scrappy goal with 7 minutes to go in the first half, that really annoyed us as we felt we had been playing the better hockey. With 5 minutes to go of the first half I felt like I was ready to pass out. It was soooo hot, and I'd been up and back, up and back down the line. Thankful of the half time break we came our raring to go, energy gel boosted us back up and the thought of that gold medal really gave us that energy kick that we needed. Their second goal came from a well executed penalty corner DAMN! We knew we only had to get one goal back to make them start to panic.

Again we kept possession really well we just couldn't penetrate their defence. When we did and won pc's we couldn't put them away. It was frustrating. Then with the last few minutes on the clock we allowed Aus to take a quick long corner, a bit of scrap again and the ball crept under Beth our GK. So 3-0 down the time went. The scoreline doesn't reflect how we played but at the end of the day (it gets dark!) its the team that puts the ball in the back of the net - we just need to learn how to stay composed in that crucial area because that's the difference between winning and losing. We will be working on this aspect from now on - imagine two years worth of working on this where we will be!

So for all those supporting back home - don't lose faith we haven't. If we can out play a team for periods of a game then sooner or later we will reap benefit.

We will NOT come home empty handed if any of us have anything to do with it. You win the Bronze or lose the Gold. We've already lost the gold so we certainly aren't gonna lose the Bronze.

We play Saturday will let you know the time back home - make sure your watching we need all positive vibes being sent through - the more the merrier!

Thanks to those who have being keeping me up-to-date so far and been supporting us from the other side of the world, been thinking about you all and we will keep working hard out here to put some smiles on faces back home.

Love to all. x

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

A bad day at the office!

Well bring on the Aussie's is the way we see it this morning! We put the game to bed last night after a debrief. We didn't play our best but still created opportunities just didn't take them. The Kiwi's created less chances but took them extremely well, very clinical so who can take their win away from them. They deserved the four goals lets hope we meet them again in the final! So it wasn't to be the dream tournament where we don't lose a game - when are they ever, we are in the Semi and that we made sure of with our first three excellent performances.

We are on a rest day today although we are getting out to the pitch later to brush up on a couple of things.

Hope you are all well. Will be back later I'm sure.

Monday, March 20, 2006

England 10 Barbados 0 - sorry Pixie!

Lets say a solid performance from us today. Not exactly a thrilling match but good enough to stake a place in the semi-finals and to top the table going into the last match against New Zealand. NZ and us will be equal on points but we will have the better goal difference. We have the ability to shape our own destiny we just have to do the job on the pitch tomorrow.

Pixie had to come off injured today I think it is problems with her ankle still. We need to make sure she is well for the cup final.

Talking of the cup final - well done ladies on qualifying for the final against Hightown I understand.(Who scored? When? etc... Who took strokes and scored?), on 2nd April in Reading I believe? (Supporters welcome of course, the more the merrier to join our growing supporters club - Team Chelm.)

It was extremely hot playing today and my tan line is becoming rather amusing, looks like I still have a body suit on even when naked! Hilarious white marks! It is supposed to be getting warmer as we get into the week also so hot hot hot!!! I'm not sure that is too healthy when trying to sprint up and down the sideline at RH.

I'm sure I will be back again after toms game we play at 4.30pm I think which is 5.30am your time so for those early birds with interactive I believe it will be live! Lets hope we do shape our own destiny and we win tomorrow without causing too many nervous moments for all those watching.

Take care all

PS - I hope you all like the photos I have added. More to follow.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Rest Day

Most of our rest day was spent with feet up resting surprisingly! Those of us with family out here did manage to get out for a couple of hours to see them. I met up with Mum and Dad and in the short time we had together we managed to get a sight of the whole of Melbourne - from the Rialto Viewing Tower the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere apparently. We also had the pleasure of a family portrait with Dame Kelly Holmes. We were just buying a juice smoothie when I had a tap on my shoulder and Kelly Holmes introducing herself to me. We had a chat about the hockey and then Mum proceeded to chat about the Ice Dancing Competition with her, Mum was in her element!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

England bowl over the Tartan Army!

Well I'm hoping that I don't really need to give you a run down of the game as I'm sure you all watched it live!
If you didn't it went something along the lines of....


The first 20 minutes or so the Scottish hardly touched the ball. We dominated well and Ginge the little start slotted the first goal away very neatly over the sliding GK. Very composed she was it was a very well taken goal. We continued to apply pressure and score another to take us in 2-0 at half time. After the break it was pretty much the same again more tartan bashing and Ginge again scored the next goal, this time thumping it past the Scottish GK. We went on to score another two goals. Whilst the Scottish did win a few corners in the second half they didn't use them well we had done our homework. So a second clean sheet for us and 10 goals in total on the board. Lets just keep that up and we will be happy girlie's.

Ginge was absolutely awesome throughout the game if you didn't see it, she has quietly been taking in all of Danny's tips, hints and coaching points and brought them all to fruition at the right time. Long may it continue and she even ran back every single time for tackle back pressure - awesome! We have a great Chelm possie going on, on the right hand side of the pitch.

We have a day off tom I'm hoping to spend a little time with Mum n Dad.

Unfortunately not been able to see many other sports play yet but we seem to be doing OK in the medals. I'm not sure how we compare to Manchester yet. The Rugby 7's did well, would have loved to have watched that live.

I will be back again may be not tom but definitely after the Barbados game.

Take care all xx

Ginge and I just want to wish the 1st XI Good Luck against Donnie. We both want to play in the final and get us into the top 4 play off at the end of the season. Just remember those three things I say before every match - the way Chelmsford Play, Green Blood girls, Green Blood! We'd also like to wish the U15, U18 and the 2nd XI Best of Luck in their matches this weekend. Play well girls we're thinking of you. x

Friday, March 17, 2006

England's opening match v Canada

Yippee yippee 5-0. First job done now onto Scotland.

I have to say I'm really annoyed as I had written an entry but for some reason it didn't save and I'm having to write it all again. I can't remember what I said and there was so much of it!

Basically we played really well. Very fast and the Canadians couldn't cope with the pace of the game. They did cause us a couple of problems and won a few corners but nothing to note. We scored from corners and rebounds from corners. Kate (Walsh) scored a hat-trick. There are a few areas to tighten up for tomorrows match.

Its really important we get some good rest and recovery now as it is less than 24hrs after last game before next. We will endeavour to repeat our performance from today but we know it will be a tough battle it always against the Scots and their Braveheart attitudes!

Sorry I haven't written much about the game but I really can't write it all out again. Took too long the last time.

Take care all and will be back again tom.
x

Thursday, March 16, 2006

The Opening Ceremony and the Start of the Games

Commonwealth Games - Opening CeremonyOnce again I'm taken for words. My overall opinion on the opening ceremony was WOW! It is like nothing else you can experience.

At 5.40pm Team England started congregating to begin their way to the opening ceremony. Team England were on first as we hosted the last Commonwealth Games. Having got us all together we then started to make our ways into the pens they had organised for the bus journeys to the Rod Laver Arena which is where they were holding all the athletes before we would make our entrance. So we were on the first buses to leave the village at about 6pm. By 6.30pm we were at the Rod Laver Arena having arrived in style under police escort being waved to from the street along the whole journey.

On arrival we could help ourselves to a goodie bag of food to help us last through the evening. Luckily I was the third person to enter into the Rod Laver Arena which was presently occupied only by the volunteer staff full of smiles and cheering. They clapped and screamed as we made an entrance which was a funny feeling in itself I couldn't begin to imagine the feelings that I would have in front of an 80,000 crowd in a few hours time.

Commonwealth Games - Opening Ceremony 2We were shown to our seats and then waited for the rest of the countries to enter this took about 2.5 hours. Finally Australia entered and all the countries were in which almost filled the Rod Laver Arena. After a quick run down of what was going to happen during the ceremony and how we were going to walk there Team England were off again, out the Rod Laver Arena, along the bridge between the two stadiums and into the holding bay of the MCG.
The noises could be heard from inside and the atmosphere just grew and grew it really is indescribable. Again hockey were quite near the front more from luck than judgement. We were supposed to walk out as 12th sport but in the rush of getting everyone from the Rod Laver to the MCG all sports just started making it a free for all. So near the front and on the camera side we were herded into waiting pens to make an entrance. Each time getting closer to the entrance door as it became closer and closer to the time in which we would be led on.

Then the screen opened and all you could hear was screams from the people in front as they crossed out of the darkness into the spotlights of the arena. Then OH MY GOD it was my turn and you could see what all the fuss had been about. It was truly amazing! 80,000 people flashing cameras everywhere you just didn't know where to look. It was great - all the reasons why!
The ceremony was simply awesome, I've some great pictures and video clips of all that had happened which kind of capture the atmosphere. I got so engrossed in taking video I missed the ladies hockey team depart and had to make my way back with John Hurst who kindly ushered me along with him. Ooops!
Commonwealth Games - Pixie at Opening CeremonySo with the games officially open we went to watch our opposition for our first game this morning - Canada v Barbados - yes Pixie was playing. Unfortunately Barbados lost 4-0 but were only down by one goal in the first half. Pixie still looks like she is suffering from her ankle injury, I will find out how she is when i see her later.

Kate Walsh (captain) had lunch with the Queen today which is fantastic i haven't seen her yet to find out how it went. The Queen was wearing an all green outfit as we peeped through the foliage to see her. A couple of the girls happened to be in the right place at the right time and also got to chat with the Queen.

I hope that gives a little flavour of the opening ceremony. I have to do some mental prep for toms game now, so will write again later, or probably after toms game now.

Take care all. x

Monday, March 13, 2006

Two days till the start of the games

Commonwealth Games - Pitch
We have just played our last practice match before our first game. We beat Malaysia 3-1 although could have been a few more. It was a good performance, that has given us enough confidence but still reminds us that we need to be on top form to perform to our best.

The opening ceremony is looming and we are all getting excited. We have rumours that the athletes waiting area for before we walk out is the Rod Laver Arena which is exciting and apparently we walk out first being the country in head of the Commonwealth. We still miss a large portion of the ceremony but we all can't wait to experience the atmosphere of 110 thousand! larger than a footie's crowd! If it lives up to my expectations then it will be an awesome feeling (and Melbourne and the organisation of the games has yet to disappoint me.)
Commonwealth Games - Nail Art and Tattoo!
We have a day off hockey tomorrow but we have a weights session in the morning and video session in the evening. We are hopefully off to meet the Neighbours crew! in our spare time and perhaps get a little bit of Nail Art in patriotic colours. So look out for the nails!
Will write again soon.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Third day in the Village

G'day from Down Under!

Commonwealth Games - Karen, Chloe and LisaFinally I have the time, energy and technology to let you all know back home how life is treating the England Ladies Hockey Team Down Under in Melbourne, whilst preparing for the Games to start. As I sit writing this the temperature is reaching 40 degrees so it is sweltering here and is in 30s most days, so gruelling temperatures at the mo!

The Holding Camp just on the outskirts of Melbourne has been hard work but enjoyable. The majority of Team England were staying in the Novotel and training at Monash University. The facilities have been fantastic for training a very well equipped gym and a little hard and bobbly water base astro have really been our own two outings during the holding camp. We had a day off but spent the majority of the day chilling, although we found time for the Nike Outlet Store! Most of the training has been to overcome jet lag, maintain fitness and adding those finishing touches to our game. We played a game against Australia on our last day of the holding camp, which we lost 5-1 not a great score you will think, and yes whilst very annoyed about losing we felt we learnt a lot about ourselves and gave us that kick up the ?!?!?! that always helps before going into tournament. The game was played on the competition pitch which was the first time we had stepped onto the pitch we would be playing on during the games. It is such a gorgeous setting, with changing rooms that lead into the dug outs and stadium round three sides. The matches will have great atmosphere - we hope!

Finally, the day comes to move into the village. It is extremely hard to put into words how this felt. It was amazing, truly WOW!!! You soon realise those dreams of a young girl have come true and it really does live up to all that you dream about and more. And I can't get across in writing what experiences and surreal moments that occur with each every moment in the village. The food hall is just amazing, every food you could imagine, all free, all the time! Dad would have a field day if he could get in!

I'm very sorry but I have to get off to a meeting now, I will try and continue later. I am hoping to upload pics also but not sure how they will come out!

Stay tuned for more news!!!