Black Sticks star taking year off

Gemma Flynn
Gemma Flynn
Black Sticks hockey star Gemma Flynn will take the rest of the year off before making a call on her future in the sport.

The 26-year-old is one of several women's Black Sticks players who will take some time out from the sport to try to refresh themselves physically and mentally after the disappointment of narrowly missing a medal at the Rio Olympics.

"For the moment I just want to focus on some other things away from hockey," Flynn told Radio Sport. "I will still support the team and I will watch the games."

The striker or midfielder says she will weigh her future in the sport during that time.

"I don't know the exact answer as yet but that will become clearer as the year moves forward."

Flynn won't be the only Black Sticks player to take a break, with several of the squad going through the heartbreak of being within reach of an Olympic medal only to miss out by the smallest of margins two campaigns in a row.

"I think some will take time; maybe the rest of the year," Flynn says. "For some it was their first campaign so they will be still just as eager to get back and into things.

"It will be a personal choice and it will probably be a fairly even split."

Flynn, who is engaged to former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, says the disappointment of losing back-to-back matches in the medal round at Rio is still raw.

"I'm still hurting a little bit. It is still in the back of my mind but there is not much you can do. You just have to focus on the next chapter.

"I have been lucky enough to have a little bit of a holiday and a rest and some time away from hockey.

"I am refreshed but it doesn't make it any easier."

Flynn was one of six players who went through the same pain after the London Olympics in 2012 and she says that she doubts it will be something they ever fully overcome.

"I just don't think it ever goes away. You will probably look back in 20 years and still feel the same. I spoke to a lady the other night that was in the team in Sydney and they came sixth and just missed out and she said it still doesn't go away even 16 years on.

"To go through it twice is cruel but who said sport was easy? We do it and you never know the outcome. It is why we do it and love it."

Flynn says she will take fond memories away from the experience.

"You don't feel it at the time but you have to be proud with the way we carried ourselves. I am still really proud to be part of the group but it is just so disappointing not to have something tangible for that hard work. It wasn't through a lack of trying."

Dale Budge

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