Tell us about yourself!

My name is Rachael, I’m 41 and live in England. I’ve been playing hockey for three years. I started learning to skate four years ago after driving past my rink on the way to the gym most mornings. At a lesson one evening, I saw a bunch of guys with big kit bags and sticks and I asked my skating coach what they were doing. It turns out my skating coach was the head of hockey and those guys were playing rec hockey (AKA beer league). I didn’t even know that “normal” people could play hockey. I started Adult Learn to Play hockey a few weeks later.

I now play hockey for the Nottingham Outlaws, which is a mixed rec hockey team. I am assistant manager for the team and I’m also in the process of getting my level one coaching qualification.

I absolutely love hockey, I love the people I’ve met, the experiences I’ve had and the hockey family. Hockey doesn’t come easy for me, I have to work really hard for every small improvement (and deal with the frustration of people picking it up way quicker than me) but I enjoy every second and get up from (nearly) every fall with a smile on my face.

What made you want to be a WHL Brand Ambassador?

I find WHL very inspiring and love to support the growth of hockey for women. I wanted to be a brand ambassador to show women that anyone, at any age, of any ability, etc. can play hockey and love it. I hope that I can be a representative of the normal girl 🙂

What are you most looking forward to as a #WHLAMBASSADOR?

I’m looking forward to meeting people from all over the world who love hockey as much as I do and to sharing stories of what girls’/women’s hockey is all about and hearing the most incredibly inspiring tales of women and girls doing what I love.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

Well, my not so secret secret (to the hockey gang anyway) is that I LOVE hockey camp and go on multiple camps a year. I went on one camp in the Czech Republic last year where I was the only girl at camp. There was a very embarrassing moment — I was getting a little lonely in the giant changing room I had to myself, so I started a little game to see how far I could spread out my stuff. So as the week went on, each hook had a jersey, or a sock or some underwear. Then one day I went to go in the changing room and it was locked. They had a visiting team over for a game and as I was the only one in my changing room they had given it to them. With my dirty stuff and underwear all over the place. OMG I was sooooooo embarrassed.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given in hockey or in life?

I can be really hard on myself and sometimes if I’m not getting the results I want, I can get really frustrated. In those times, I remember the best advice I’ve been given for hockey. It’s really simple: “Remember, it’s supposed to be fun”.

What’s your dream for women’s hockey?

For women and girls to have the same opportunities to play an amazing game without being told “hockey isn’t for girls” or “ we’re not having a girl on our team”.

Interested in becoming a #WHLAmbassador?

Apply here!