Thrown into leadership roles at an early age, Kayla Whitelock is the first to admit she’s not a natural leader. One of our greatest ever Black Sticks might have missed out on Tokyo with a devastating ACL injury, but there’s no doubting the impact she’s had on the team.
Kayla Whitelock is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dXmCvNshwFc
23 Jun 2021
Ella Gunson
Joining the Police gave Ella Gunson a new focus after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed - a focus that allows her to honour her late mother.
Eager to play at a second Olympics, the straight-shooting Northlander is in no doubt this team has what it takes to do well in Tokyo.
Ella Gunson is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN
1. How it feels to be Constable Gunson (0:18)
2. How the pandemic changed Ella's career plans (1:22)
3. Juggling career and training for the Olympics (2:07)
4. Mother playing a huge role in inspiring Ella to join the Police (4:10)
5. Learning to deal with challenging times (5:50)
6. Growing up in Northland, a 'breeding ground' for Black Sticks (10:00)
7. The key to longevity in the sport (11:40)
8. Will this team do what no other NZ Hockey team has done in Tokyo? (14:25)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/23pADC4gBuU
20 Jun 2021
Sam Lane
After the highs of making his debut and scoring for his country in a victory against Australia, a serious knee injury meant Sam Lane was sidelined for nearly two years missing the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The proud South Canterbury lad also recently lost his mother. He believes the adversity he’s faced has given him a strong mindset to succeed.
Sam Lane is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. The decision to play hockey (0:19)
2. Growing up playing multiple sports (2:03)
3. A run of bad luck during pinnacle moments (4:07)
4. Recovering from injury and finding balance (8:10)
5. Support system playing a key role in recent times (9:15)
6. The impact of growing up in a rural setting (12:41)
7. A natural leader (15:56)
8. What it felt like scoring first goal for New Zealand (16:54)
9. Graduating with a marketing degree and working with Tennis New Zealand (18:10)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/YRnpfW4E4nY
16 Jun 2021
Dane Lett
Dane Lett played rugby and hockey through most of his schooling before focusing on making the Vantage Black Sticks.
But it wasn’t until he’d started a family and secured a fulltime job – both of which gave him a fresh perspective – that his Black Sticks career took off.
Dane Lett is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. Growing up playing multiple sports in the Wairarapa (0:14)
2. Deciding to commit to hockey (1:38)
3. Sporting inspiration growing up (1:58)
4. Dane's pathway to the Vantage Black Sticks (2:48)
5. Wearing the Vantage Black Sticks jersey for the first time (5:40)
6. What advice would Dane give his teenage self (8:41)
7. The impact family has had on his hockey career (9:15)
8. Key to keeping kids in sport for as long as possible (10:07)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dxPhm1FBWAs
14 Jun 2021
Frances Davies
Growing up in a small Bay of Plenty town, Frances Davies never imagined she’d become a Vantage Black Stick and still didn’t believe it when she got the email telling her she’d made it.
The criminology graduate loves working with children and talks passionately about her work with Pillars and Cure Kids.
Frances Davies is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. First memories of playing hockey (0:18)
2. What it felt like being selected for the Vantage Black Sticks for the first time (2:34)
3. Graduating with a degree in criminology (3:22)
4. Working for Pillars in Christchurch (4:13)
5. Driven by helping people (6:10)
6. Steering the Vantage Black Sticks ambassador relationship with Cure Kids (6:42)
7. How Covid-19 impacted Fran's 2020 (7:51)
8. Juggling the demands of training and a full-time job (9:00)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Cik3QwIq6X0
30 May 2021
Tessa Jopp
Tessa Jopp is back in the Vantage Black Sticks after her dreams were dashed on the eve of the 2018 Commonwealth Games by a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
The Otago midfielder returned to her first love – farming in the Maniototo in Central Otago – but when Graham Shaw called she knew she couldn’t turn down a chance to make the Olympic squad.
Tessa Jopp is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. What it's like being back in the Black Sticks (0:17)
2. Having to pull out of the 2018 Commonwealth Games (1:30)
3. Having to stop all exercise after being diagnosed with a heart condition (3:09)
4. Attending the 2018 Commonwealth Games but unable to play (5:00)
5. Realising she could play hockey with the condition (6:23)
6. Playing club hockey in Belgium (8:00)
7. Her love of farming (10:45)
8. Reaction to first being selected in the Black Sticks (12:52)
9. What it'll mean to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics (13:13)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ENG2AvpXgps
26 May 2021
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas admits growing up in small-town New Zealand had its challenges. The Hawke’s Bay midfielder talks about moving to Auckland to focus on his hockey, and how he responded when a global pandemic brought international hockey to a grinding halt.
Dylan Thomas is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows and Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. First hockey memories in Hawke's Bay (0:15)
2. Impact of a key support system (0:45)
3. Overcoming small-town challenges (1:25)
4. Advice for kids on "Tall Poppy Syndrome" (1:55)
5. Making the Vantage Black Sticks for the first time (2:25)
6. Making the move to Auckland (3:30)
7. Juggling Study and Hockey (4:06)
8. Dylan's response to the pandemic and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics (5:00)
9. Importance of having balance in your life as a professional athlete (6:24)
10. Influence of Shea McAleese (7:18)
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/xGxO6AzArrg
21 May 2021
Nick Wilson
Not once but twice Nick Wilson thought his hockey career was over as he battled serious knee injuries. The prolific goalscorer opens up about his journey into the Vantage Black Sticks, how hockey has helped him in the real estate world, and the advice he’d give others dealing with career-ending injuries.
Nick Wilson is Built for Greatness. Our podcast series is brought to you by Vantage Windows & Doors.
THE EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
1. First hockey memories in the Manawatu (0:15)
2. Nick’s inspiration growing Up (0:33)
3. Choosing hockey (1:07)
4. First goal at international level (1:47)
5. Career Highlights so far (2:40)
6. A break away from hockey (3:15)
7. Injury woes (4:32)
8. Advice to others with possible career-ending injuries (7:55)
9. How hockey has translated to Nick’s career (8:35)
10. Juggling a busy career and training for Tokyo (9:20)
Watch the video here https://youtu.be/duf5L41nFHA
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