When Katie Robertson retired from top-level hockey in 2018, the last thing she expected just a few years later was to be on the verge of making her Great Britain debut.
The rigours of studying for a PhD, working as a P.E. teacher, plus hockey training meant, admits Robertson, something had to give and with her sport not generating any income, that’s what had to be shelved.
But sport works in funny ways and just a year-or-so later, Robertson began to miss being part of a team, and all the positives that brought to her life.
So she tentatively picked up a hockey stick once more, but with few intentions of anything serious coming of it.
How wrong she was.
Four years after re-entering the game, Robertson has been Scotland vice-captain at the 2022 Commonwealth Games before elevating her career yet further by being invited to join the GB squad in September.
Her rise has, admits Robertson, all come as quite a surprise.
“I would never have imagined I’d be in this position,” the 26-year-old from Fife says.
“Being invited to join the GB squad was mentioned after the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and I went for a trial in April but then GB had a break over summer I didn’t actually join the squad properly until September, so it’s felt like it’s been a long time coming.
“After taking a break from hockey, I didn’t think I’d even be back in the Scottish set-up never mind GB so I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”
Robertson’s debut could not come in a more highly-charged environment; playing Argentina, in Argentina.
These games are part of the latest leg of the Pro League tournament, which begins today, with GB’s women also facing the world’s top ranked side, the Netherlands, over the coming days.
Alongside Robertson in the GB squad for this set of fixtures are her Scottish compatriots Sarah Robertson, who’s no relation, Amy Costello, and Charlotte Watson while in the men’s squad, Lee Morton and Struan Walker are included.
With Robertson slated to make her debut in the coming days, she admits there’s more than a touch of nerves.
But having already amassed considerable international experience – she has 64 caps for Scotland, including appearing at two Commonwealth Games – she has what it takes to cope with both the occasion and the quality of the South Americans, who are ranked third in the world.
“There’s nothing like your first GB cap and for mine to potentially be against Argentina, in Argentina is huge because you couldn’t ask for a better crowd to be playing in front of,” she says.
“I’m very excited, although there’s always a few nerves too.
“It is just another game of hockey but I also want to enjoy it because I’m never going to get my first cap for GB again so I want to make the most of the experience and show what I can do.”
Robertson is, she believes, in the form of her life. Her relocation to the GB Hockey headquarters at Bisham Abbey, near London, means she’s a full-time athlete for the first time in her career. And, with GB’s women having won Olympic gold and bronze at the last two Games, she’s training daily alongside some of the very best players in the world meaning her improvement was almost inevitable.
Robertson will need to continue on her upward trajectory, however, if she’s to make the final cut for the Paris Olympics, which are now only eight months away.
The midfielder began her sporting career as a show-jumper but after a serious fall halted her riding career, she then began her journey to become one of this country’s best hockey players.
Unsurprisingly, the ultimate dream for Robertson is to make it to the Olympic Games and while she knows gaining selection having been in the squad for less than a year will be a tall order, she’s adamant that as long as she has no regrets of her time in the GB set-up, she’ll be content.
“The Olympics have been a goal for a long time and it’s now a possibility, even if it is a long shot,” she says.
“Down the line, the only thing I’d regret is not giving it everything.
“All I can do is make sure I’m at my best and then we’ll see what comes from that.”
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