Loch Lomond Hockey Club’s Jane Neil won her fourth medal with Scotland – at the age of 67.
Having previously won bronze as a member of Scotland’s over-55s and over-60s side, Jane and her teammates went one better last month – only missing out on gold after a narrow defeat to England in the final of the Masters World Cup in South Africa.
And Jane admits that she loves still being able to play the game she has loved since her schooldays – but never imagined it would lead to her representing Scotland.
Jane told the Lennox: “It was a really good result for Scotland, but I have to say it’s probably the first time we’re disappointed not to have beaten England. We only lost 2-0 in the final which is our best score ever against them.
“We beat the USA 1-0 to get into the final.
“It’s just such a privilege at 67 years of age to be playing hockey for your country.
“I played hockey at school. Playing hockey and netball was the side of school I enjoyed. I didn’t actually enjoy the work side of things!
“I worked for an insurance company and different areas played hockey against each other. I then went to Cartha and then Dalziel. It was always my release, I’ve got three kids and when I was playing hockey I wasn’t thinking about what the kids needed, what we needed for the house. Nothing.
“I always just played at district level, I didn’t ever play at a high level. But I played steadily, training and playing every week. I enjoy walking and I think I’ve managed to keep myself reasonably fit and enjoyed doing it.
“I played in the first ever Scotland over-50s squad, then the first ever over 55s, first ever over 60s and now in the first over-65s team. I’m incredibly proud to have done that.
“I feel like I’m here just by the grace of the fact I can move. But I guess there’s more to it than that, you’re selected because you can actually play.
“At our age we all have niggles, let’s be honest, but it’s a privilege to play with the girls. You become like a family.
“We’re all there for each other. It doesn’t matter who scored the goal because we’re all a team. Although I was really chuffed that I made the pass to set up the goal against the US.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of something so special.”
Jane still plays every week for Loch Lomond, and believes that the way hockey can bring together different generations in the one team is part of what makes it so special.
She continued: “We’ve got a great blend of experience and youth at Loch Lomond. I think we’re very much a wee family team. It’s a lovely place to play your hockey.
“Not many sports can have a 50-year age gap between players in the same team.
“I know I’m not going to be able to run pace-for-pace with someone who is 50 years younger. But to be able to play against someone like that is what makes it so special.
“The youngsters are so fast. I’m not fast. But as Anne McGregor our coach often says, if someone runs at me then they’ll not get past me.
“You have a hockey brain. Although you can’t match them for speed, you hope that your skills with what you’ve learnt can balance that out.
“When I tell some of the younger players what age I am their jaws drop a wee bit.
“We played a team of quite young girls when we were practising. At the end they said ‘we were doing lots of running, but we realised from watching you that you don’t have to run. It’s about how you pass the ball’.
“We know how to play, but you’re always learning. That’s the joy of it. You are always discovering things you could do better.”
And as well as a lifetime of memories, hockey also saw Jane meet partner Peter.
She laughed: “We met when he was playing for the over-65s and I was trialling for the over-60s. We were playing against each other, and we’ve been together for five years now.
“We’ve now got a Scotland over-70s team and he’s in the process of trialling for that.”
With four international medals and more than 50 years of experience in the sport, Jane has no plans to stop any time soon – and has stressed that new players are always welcome at Loch Lomond, who train at OLSP.
She added: “I’m just so grateful that I’m still able to play, and I enjoy it so much. The day that I have to stop will be when I know I’m getting old. And I don’t really have to think about that.
“We are a very welcoming side. We don’t judge anyone, we just want people to enjoy hockey.
“I think people who have played before would be surprised how quickly they’ll pick it up again. We all support each other, if you’re just starting new then you’ll learn how to do it and have people their to support you. If you’re just coming back to playing you’ll realise how much you’ve missed out.”
To find out more about Loch Lomond Hockey Club visit their Facebook page - Facebook.com/lochlomondhockeyclub.
