Learning, doing and supporting

As part of our focus on creating more awareness around Canada's National Women's Indoor Field Hockey team, SeeWhatSheCanDo asked each each player to share some details around their introduction to and history playing the sport; what they love about field hockey; what their favourite sport memory is; and what each player would say to their 10 year old self if they had the chance to go back in time.  

The significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our everyday lives for much of 2020 has been life-altering for so many.  For many elite athletes in particular, it has meant a complete shutdown to their ability to train and compete as a team or an individual athlete.  This is certainly the case for Canada's National Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team.  To get a better understanding of the pandemic's direct impact, we asked each athlete to share their thoughts around the challenges and frustrations they've experienced over the last nine months not being able to be together as a team. Knowing what they are facing, we also asked how a community platform like SeeWhatSheCanDo could support each of them and what that could look like.

Head to Getting to know Team Canada's Women's Indoor Field Hockey Team to get the background story on the team, the Indoor Pan American Cup and to find links to more player profiles.

Introducing Madi Thompson

Madi's background and history in field hockey

For Madi Thompson, her start in indoor field hockey came when she was asked to play as part of a local club.  When asked, it happened to be the start of the indoor season and, for her, a lucky break.  Madi had no idea there was an indoor season in addition to the outdoor season she was already playing.  In her words, "I didn't know any different". Her field hockey career spans eleven years.  Eight of these years have included playing for Team Canada.  Madi primarily plays in the position of striker.

What do you love most about field hockey?

What I love about field hockey is the fact that it’s almost a chess match. You always need to be two moves ahead.  It's also imperative to have the mental strength to remain focused while in a high pressure situation within a very enclosed space.  To me, this is an adrenaline rush.

Tell us about your favourite sport memory.

Within the indoor team, my favourite memory is probably our first actual tour when we travelled to Belarus. It was such a proud moment to see how far our program has come to be able to travel and play some of the best teams in the world when before our only hope of doing that was qualifying for a World Cup. My favourite sporting memory ever actually happened in soccer when I got to suit up along side my sister (she’s 3 years older).  We have always connected so well on the pitch. She’s someone I look up to so to be able to play with her a couple times was really special for me.

What would you say to your 10 year old self about playing and staying in sport?

Sounds terrible but ... nobody cares, work harder. I just would want her to leave everything out there. Every game. Soccer, ice hockey, hockey, volley ball, etc..  Whatever you're doing, do it with passion and conviction.

What challenges and frustrations have you faced over the last few months because of COVID-19? And what have you done to manage these challenges and frustrations?

You know, COVID is a tricky thing. It has stripped a lot of people from the things they enjoy most. The year 2020 is somewhat of a blur. Athletically, our team saw disappointment in the cancellation of our World Cup qualifier. Financial aspects aside, the work and sweat equity we’ve put in over the last 2 years, to be days away and have it cancelled is disheartening. But at the end of the day, you have to see the big picture. If I wasn’t a coach on top of being an athlete, I don’t think I would have changed my perspective on the situation as soon as I did. I work with a lot of young aspiring athletes, many who want to play NCAA/CIS or at the international level. When their seasons became paused/canceled/postponed, as a coach my response was “So what?  We have *insert how every many months* to get better, bigger, faster, and stronger. Why are we sad over an opportunity to get better.” I’ve started to better apply my coaching philosophies and perspectives to my “athlete“ mentality. Finding ways to use these months to refine my skill, as well as strengthen my fitness and mental game. Taking the time to work on my weaknesses and maintain my strengths. 

You have to control the controllables and, sadly, a pandemic doesn’t fall under that category. It’s challenging to deal with it all but it’s not hard. Sometimes I feel we, as a society, have a misconception on the difference between these two. Adversity is actually where we grow the most. 

Overall, I’m healthy, I’m safe and I have countless resources at my disposal to grow and improve myself along with my game. I am one of the fortunate ones. 

So yes, COVID sucks, it’s frustrating, and it’s unfair. But we keep training (apart or together) and working on bettering ourselves individually so when the time comes and we are called back to the court - we’ll be ready.

Additionally, do you think there are ways that a women's sport community like SWSCD could provide support to you? And how would you envision this happening?

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Find, rate and review associations, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing on our Athlete Advisor, your athletic business directory.  

Post your upcoming sport event or start your own active group in our SWSCD Hub.

Look for advice, stories, news and more on our Discover blog. Share your own active moment directly on our Discover blog or by using #seewhatshecando on social media and inspire others to get moving.