HOCKEY
Ashlee Wells recalls fondly her very first game of hockey as a tiny tot tearing across the fields at Churchill.
“I was begging mum and dad to let me play and I was too young so they literally had to hold me back,” Wells said.
“I just wanted to play so badly and I got to play my first competition game when I was five.”
A lot has changed in the 23 years since.
Synthetic turf has replaced the grass at Wells’ old stomping ground at Churchill and she now has a few more games under her belt.
Last week marked a major milestone in the goalkeeper’s career as she ran out in her 100th game for Australia.
“I’ve been in the [Hockey Australia] program for seven years now and for someone who has been around that long you kind of expect to reach 100 games,” she said.
“Typically you’d reach it after three or four years but being a goalkeeper throws a spanner in the works because you’re sitting out a lot.
“That doesn’t take anything away from the achievement though, I’m absolutely stoked.”
The 28-year-old was in New Zealand for the Tri-Nations with the Australian team in game 100 but admitted she was “distracted” ahead of the big day.
Best friend and teammate Jodie Kenny also marked a milestone in the same game – her 200th national cap.
For Wells, the road to 100 has been a long and winding one.
She missed out on selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and wasn’t sure she’d return to keep for the green and gold again.
“Last year I had a bit of a scare with my back with a bulging disc and was out for a fair bit and it really put me behind the eight ball,” she said.
“I didn’t come back in good form and missed selection for a couple of events, so I was worried that I might not actually get back to get on tours.
“I’ve had to work pretty hard to get back into the team.”
Despite the setbacks and hurdles, Wells said she has been gifted countless “learning opportunities” along the way.
“It’s strange because I didn’t get to play at [the London or Rio] Olympics but I consider London as one of my career highlights,” she said.
“The experience of going and watching and being involved with the team was amazing and it changed who I was.
“I think it was a real turning point in my career.”
Though she doesn’t get to return home as often as she’d like, the Morwell native still has her roots firmly planted in the Latrobe Valley.
“My parents are a huge support. You’ve got to lean on them to get through because this is not an easy life,” she said.
“Honestly, there’s been times when you get to a point where you don’t know if you can physically or emotionally do it anymore.
“The only reason I’ve kept going is because I knew what it meant to mum and dad, and that’s what has kept me on track.
“I always try and think about what they’ve done and the sacrifices they’ve made – it’s more than just me out there.”
