Her father Daniel represented the seniors in 2000, following a similar path from field hockey to the less familiar indoor version.
Lochhead was the sole South Island representative in her team. She said she had enjoyed the challenge of adapting to indoor hockey, after being selected in September when her field hockey coach suggested she have a go.
‘‘There are only six players per side, no raising of the ball except to shoot, and no outs at the sides of the pitch, which has boards to allow the game to keep going.
‘‘That means it’s a much faster game, and can move from one end of the court to the other in an instant.’’
The pace meant it relied more on individual ball skills, she said.
Teams from Ireland, Zimbabwe and the United States also attended the competition, although South African teams dominated.
‘‘Indoor hockey is a much bigger deal in South Africa than here, so the overall standard is much higher. We came 11th in the top division, but we didn’t get relegated. That was pretty good, considering we’d only come together as a team a couple of months before.’’
The trip had been an eye-opener for the Year 12 Columba College boarder, more used to the family sheep and beef farm in peaceful South Otago.
‘‘Some of the security had AK-47s (automatic rifles), although we never felt unsafe there. We visited the beach, Table Mountain and saw elephants and zebras on safari, so it was an amazing trip overall.’’
She thanked her family and coach Jolene Casey, of Dunedin, for their support and encouragement.
‘‘I made really good friends from across New Zealand. I’d like to play again someday.’’
