To develop Ice Hockey in Singapore, the women’s team brought a few new girls along to participate in the Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia this year, one of whom is a goalie. We were privileged to talk to two of them get a glimspe of how they fare so far in this tournament. Josephine Hamnett and Kiarra Chin are both 16 years old this year and both were fun to talk to. We found out how they fit into the team and the challenges they faced so far.
We are pleased to have you here as part of the National Team. Are you enjoying the process of being part of the team?
Kiarra: I guess being the youngest to join, it is quite overwhelming to work with a bunch of people who are much older than me, at the same time it is very inspiring to watch them play and to be part of the team. I’m glad that I’m able to share the sport that I love with them.
Josephine: Yes. Everyone is really friendly to us and it’s really an honor to be able to train with people so much better than me, who push me to become a better player.
Describe your daily routine in CCoA.
Kiarra: Wake up, breakfast ..
Josephine: .. you mean sleep in?
K: that woz just once!
J: maybe you just didn’t want to wear the pajamas
K: ya (read: there’s a tradition of passing on a set of pajamas for the voted best player for the day by the team)
K: practice..
J: sleep some more.. what did you do?
K: well some of us go to the pool. then on ice practice..
J: oh ya! then lunch, warm ups..
K: then the game starts (short pause) THEN CELEBRATION! and dinner, meeting, and some more personal games.. That’s about it.
What is your biggest accomplishment in ice hockey so far?
Kiarra: I think getting my name and jersey number on the stats paper for going into the penalty box within the first 20 seconds on ice in my first ever game in CCOA was a bit amusing. Still a very fresh experience for me.
Josephine: Being able to stop. I’ve been trying to do that back in Singapore in lessons and I’m finally able to do it here. Sometimes I feel it’s really probably due to the fact that I’m in a game and I really had to do it, so I did!
What would be your ultimate achievement?
Josephine: I need to match up with Kiarra. I need a penalty within the first twenty seconds of the game too!
Kiarra; I was so sad when I got my penalty!! I almost cried, but I saw my teammates cheer for me I felt that maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing after all..
J: Yeah! you looked so angry!
K: I was! but my ultimate achievement would be…
J: I want to play in line 1 in the women’s team!
K: Mine would be line 2 by next year!
J: No! we need to be line 1 together! so we can be defense partners!
K: yes yes!
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Kiarra: My biggest challenge is definitely trying to keep up with everyone else, whether it’s during drills or games, I struggle quite a bit as I don’t have as much experience or skills. And for a person that lacks any form of confidence, embracing new challenges and trying out new things is hard, but I know that no matter how tough it gets, I’ll never stop trying.
Josephine: I think my biggest challenge would also be keeping up with the rest of the team because everyone is leagues ahead of me. I’ve been trying to practice more and the team has been very encouraging and helpful in teaching me and I’m very thankful to them for that.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Kiarra: Something that always echo in my mind when I feel down or frustrated is what Coach Michael told me with a straight face on the first day of LTP – Don’t give up. It may sound cliché, but it’s so true.
Josephine: I think my biggest challenge would also be keeping up with the rest of the team because everyone is leagues ahead of me. I’ve been trying to practice more and the team has been very encouraging and helpful in teaching me and I’m very thankful to them for that.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Kiarra: I get inspired by all of my teammates (goalies included) and from watching the NHL games. I also get hyped up watching really young children who can play extremely well, both on Youtube as well as the youth team.
Josephine: I’m very inspired by my brother who plays very well for his age and it pushes me to one day be able to catch up to him. I’m also inspired by my teammates as i see them all wholeheartedly trying to improve themselves.
Do you draw lessons after every competition?
Kiarra: Yes, I think every competition and friendly games are a new experience for me and is an eye opener. I’m very grateful to all those that always give me advice and encouragement when I’m on the ice or the bench and also after the game. Because of them, I’m able to learn from my mistakes and improve.
Josephine: Yes! after every competition, we have a debrief where our coaches will go over the game with us and point out good points and mistakes that were made during the game. and personally, I watch the game very closely to see what I can absorb from the game playing.
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The girls picked up hockey from the Learn to Play lessons back at The Rink at JCube every Sunday afternoon for the past 6 months. As Coach Diane saw their progression and hard work, she had invited both girls to participate in this tournament as a boost to their performance.
The team had played 5 games so far, out of which they won 4 games. Next game up would be the team’s last game of the tournament against Thailand, best of luck girls!
LET’S GO, SINGAPORE! HEAR THE LIONS ROAR.