This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Hockeyroos defender Anna Flanagan’s playing future hangs in the balance after taking indefinite leave from the game to deal with “on-going health issues”.

The London Olympian made the decision after being stood down from Australia’s series clinching 3-1 win over India in Melbourne on Sunday for a “breach of team protocol”.

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Flanagan, 24, had only just battled her way back into the national side after being relegated to a non-playing reserve at the Rio Olympics following a drink driving conviction in March.

“Anna has decided to take time away from hockey to aid her recovery from on-going health issues after a difficult year both on and off the pitch,” a Hockey Australia statement said.

“Hockey Australia will work with Anna and her family during this period, and ask that Anna’s privacy is respected as she works towards a full recovery.”

Flanagan – a seven-year Hockeyroos veteran – lost her licence for 10 months and was fined $1,000 for a drink driving incident in Perth in March. Hockey Australia did not find out about the incident until two months later.

She was subsequently dropped from the International Hockey Open and the Champions Trophy before being overlooked for Rio’s playing squad. Hockey Australia insisted her Rio snub was made on form and not influenced by the fact she had kept her DUI conviction secret for months.

As a non-playing reserve, Flanagan watched from the sidelines as the Hockeyroos were bounced out of the Rio quarter-finals 4-2 by New Zealand.

However, Flanagan’s Australian Hockey League form with Canberra Strikers ensured she forced her way back into the national squad by October for series against New Zealand and India.

Flanagan said just last month playing in the AHL had helped her regain her love for the game.

“When I got home from Rio I knew that AHL was really important but I also just really wanted to enjoy hockey again,” she told Fairfax media in October.

“I lost that a bit in the months leading up to Rio and that was a tough time but I had such a good time with the Strikers girls and I just really loved playing, and when I love playing that’s when I play my best.”

Hockey Australia CEO Cam Vale stressed on Sunday that they would support Flanagan while out of the game.

“Hockey Australia would like to re-iterate that while Anna was withdrawn for a protocol breach, we will be supporting her during this period and our foremost concern is that she gets well,” Vale said.