Hockeyroo midfield machine Georgie Parker chats to BeyondTheGame.TV’s Mike Lynch about growing up a sports nut, bouncing back from London disappointment, family, Rio, Hockeyroo pranksters, and of course her beloved Adelaide Crows.

Could you give us a bit of an insight into your sporting life growing up. Did you have a crack at a number of different sports?

Yeah, I played plenty of sports. I grew up in a small country town so sport was part of my everyday life.

It's my big middle sisters birthday today… Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the chick who taught me the duckface before the duckface was even a thing? Happy birthday, Liz! You do good. I love you xx #throwback #dork #shesblonde #adopted? A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Mar 20, 2015 at 3:49pm PDT

I gave everything a go and the only thing stopping me from playing more was lack of time. I used to (and still do) breathe AFL so was always the only girl at AFL clinics – I still remember the one run by my all time favourite player Shaun Rehn.

I played tennis, softball, basketball and did a little bit of athletics as well as Lacrosse which i played up to junior Australian (u19) level. Not only did i play every sport i could, I watched every sport I could giving me a huge appreciation of all athletes competing.

At what point did you realise hockey was the sport for you?

Growing up I think basketball was my favourite sport, but with my height i knew deep down, even as a 12 year old, I could only go so far with it. In saying that, I still loved hockey and loved my teammates and the club environment it gave me.

I was in the u19 Australian squad for lacrosse and the u21 Australian squad for hockey so had to make my decision between the two then at aged 16. I chose Hockey for a couple of reasons. I chose it not because I was better at it, but because I had the potential to represent my country at the olympic games, but more so, because I had more fun when i was playing it.



Can you tell us a bit about the London Olympics and why that was such a challenging time for you?

London was tough. Missing out on any selection is hard, but even more so the Olympic Games. It can bring out the most bitter part of you. The part of you that you wished you didn’t have but the part that everyone has. I couldn’t even watch the games and ended up on an island in Indonesia with no TV’s! (laughs).

Of course though that make this Rio selection that little bit sweeter. Knowing that i have spent years and years working for these two weeks, and knowing just how hard my road has been compared to many others is a good feeling.

How did you feel when you were named in the Hockeyroos squad for Rio? (and where did you keep that ridiculously oversized plane ticket?)

It’s a whirlwind of emotions to be honest.

You first feel a bit of relief having a “phewph, its official” moment. From there you go in to this pure joy and happiness moment. Then the excitement comes in followed by this overwhelming feeling of elation and pride. Then, you get sad for your friends in the squad that don’t get selected, they are some of your best mates after all and we all have the same dream, but then the happiness comes right back in. The smile on my face was from ear to ear all day.

It’s official – the oversized plane ticket says so!! I’m going to Rio! Battling Hockeyroo turned battling Olympian?? pic.twitter.com/jcobd72TES — Georgie Parker (@georgieparker) July 4, 2016

The ridiculous oversized plane ticket is probably the only piece of paper I’ve received that i haven’t crinkled, lost, torn or spilled water on.. It’s pretty special.

Who were your Olympic heroes as a youngster?

I actually don’t have an “Olympic hero”.

Of course i have stand out Olympic memories like the Mens 4x100m swimming relay team beating the US in Sydney, Cathy Freeman’s 400m win, our womens hockey team winning their second Gold Medal in Sydney and the Mens overtime goal by Jamie Dwyer to win Gold in Athens. But, i don’t have a hero as such. I literally could watch any sport and any athlete here and be in awe of what they can do with their body.

How a gymnast can be as strong and as bendy as they are when a 2-minute plank for me seems like eternity; how a water polo player can tread water, be pulled under by their opposition and still catch and throw a ball when doggy paddle is my stroke of choice; or how small a splash a diver can make after jumping off a 10m platform while flipping and twisting as they do just BLOWS MY MIND completely.

The Olympics is an amazing thing. I use the Olympics itself as a motivator not an individual.

Do you have any family heading to Rio to watch you in action?

I have a good entourage with me in Rio. My mum, Kathy, my step dad and biggest supporter, Ralph, my boyfriend, Jacob and his parents Nerida and Terry.. Any excuse for a holiday i think.

❤️ happy Father's Day to all the Dads, Step Dads, Granddads and Mums who have to be Dads. Hope you're all as lucky as I am ? #Ralph A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Sep 5, 2015 at 5:19pm PDT

Would you say that the standard of women’s hockey is higher and more competitive than it has ever been?

Absolutely. The Dutch have been clear number 1 for a long time now, but all the teams below them have been chipping away at them and getting closer and closer.

I honestly believe that any top 6 team on their day can beat any one else, so you have to be on your game every time you step on the field. If you are 5% off its going to be a tough slog.

You’re a huge Crows fan. Who is your favourite ever Crows player?

Oh I am the biggest crows groupie going around. I mentioned before, but my favourite ever crows player is Shaun Rehn. I remember saving up my $2 a week pocket money for over 6 months to buy myself a Crows guernsey and I had #52 on my back.

Closely followed behind him is from the same generation of legends, Darren Jarman. The man could turn on a dime and score sausage rolls like no other.

Notable mention also need to go to Andrew McLeod who, lets be honest, was robbed of the 2001 Brownlow Medal.



Have any of the Crows lads been in touch or sent any well-wishes since you headed over?

The club itself has a few of their supporters over competing so they’ve been fantastic with their support. I know a few of the Crows boys personally so they’ve all gotten behind me and the girls before heading away which is nice. Some probably for me, others probably to just check out the “talent” in the team. I do think though the Hockeyroos are a team that people enjoy to watch at the Olympics, but its always a bit more fun to watch when you know someone playing.



Which countries do you think shape as the biggest threat to the Hockeyroos chances of Rio gold?

Of course Holland are the team to beat. They’re the world number 1 team and beat us in the world cup final 2 years ago in the Hague.

But, as cliche as it is, you need to be able to beat everyone and as I said before, need to be on your game or any of those top 6 teams could punish you on any given day.

Now you’ve done plenty of travelling with your team. Which of your teammates is the biggest pest/ most annoying person to travel with?

The biggest pest in the team is 100% me… no denying that at all, in fact I embrace it.

RG @edwina_bone ? Business class is overrated. Cattle is where it's at! On our way to London for Champions Trophy. Last bunch of matches before @rio2016!! #RoadToRio #roovolution ?? A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Jun 11, 2016 at 1:54am PDT

Ash Nelson is a classic prankster though and I’d much rather be rooming with her to help plan the pranks rather than the receiving end of them.

Happy birthday to the spud on the left. Is there a better way to spend it than 8hrs of meetings with the Hockeyroos on the first day of our #roadtorio?! @emilyjsmith26 A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Jul 27, 2015 at 9:36pm PDT

On a personal note, how do you feel physically heading into Rio? Are there any challenges with adapting to the conditions in South America (heat and humidity)?

Personally I feel really good. My body isn’t as young as it used to be and after a few years of ongoing injuries I was really worried it wasn’t going to hold through. I have a really good medical team behind me who have been amazing in keeping my body on the track and helped me be peaking at the right time.

I think we’ll be ok with adapting to the conditions. As we train in Perth we know we can deal with the heat more than any other team here. We know the conditions won’t be as hard as a heap of the competitions we have had elsewhere such as playing in the Singapore or Darwin heat. Our teams fitness as a whole is one of, if not THE best in the world and we pride ourselves on that.

Whipped my way through the week now just nae-nae'ing my way to the weekend.. 21 days to go! #roadtorio #terriblecaption ???? A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Jul 15, 2016 at 12:15am PDT

In the physical condition that we are in, I honestly believe that weather conditions only affect you if you mentally allow them to anyway, and we are prepared enough to not let that happen.

Finally do you have any messages for your mates back at home in Oz and in Radelaide?

Only one message.. #crowsforpremiers

When you make sure your outfit matches your crows scarf! #gocrows #weflyasone A photo posted by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parks) on Sep 12, 2015 at 3:21am PDT

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor