That was certainly the case for Otago hockey star Finn Ward, who suffered a broken patella and fractured tibia after being struck directly on the knee during a game against India at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in November.
The injury required immediate surgery and months of rehabilitation.
Ward will make his return to the international arena when he plays for the Black Sticks at the Nations Cup in Cape Town this week.
‘‘When the injury happened, I was obviously devastated,’’ Ward said.
‘‘After speaking with the medical team, I followed the advice to have surgery as it gave me the best chance of making a full recovery and getting back to playing at the level I wanted to,’’ he said.
Ward actually had two surgeries during his recovery.
The first repaired the damage using screws and wire, while a second procedure was later required to remove the wire. The screws remain in place.
Fortunately, the injury occurred during the school holidays, allowing Ward time away from his role as a primary teacher at West Park School in Wellington.
He returned home to Otago for much of the early stages of his rehabilitation, surrounded by family and close friends.
What followed was a 16-week recovery process that tested both his physical and mental resilience.
Fortunately for Ward, there were no major setbacks along the way, but the day-to-day commitment required to return to elite sport proved just as challenging as the injury itself.
‘‘The small things all added up,’’ he said.
‘‘Each day became about finding those little improvements and making sure I was doing everything I could to move forward.’’
Recovery also forced Ward to confront difficult questions.
‘‘You have those uncomfortable conversations with yourself. Do I get up and work for that 1% improvement today, or do I stay in bed and feel sorry for myself?
‘‘You have to make that decision every day.
‘‘Accepting help was something I had to come to terms with. When you’re injured, you realise pretty quickly that you can’t do everything on your own.
‘‘Having people around you who genuinely care and support you makes the recovery process feel a lot easier to get through, especially on the tough days.’’
After months of rehabilitation, training and rebuilding confidence in his body, Ward’s reward has come in the form of selection for the Nations Cup, in which the Black Sticks will look to defend the titles they won in 2024 and 2025.
For Ward, the opportunity means far more than simply pulling on the black shirt again.
‘‘Returning from injury is never a given. Hockey is a demanding sport both physically and mentally, so to have the opportunity to be selected again and represent New Zealand is special.
‘‘I’m excited to be back with the group and looking forward to the challenge of chasing another Nations Cup title.’’
The Black Sticks’ first game is against Scotland on Saturday.
Ward is joined by fellow Otago players Benji Culhane, Kane Russell and Malachi Buschl. — Allied Media
