Sunday 23 November 2008

Newspaper Report

Article from the Bucks Free Press

Life after the Olympics

8:30am Sunday 23rd November 2008

FOR most of us, resuming normal life after the Olympic was as awkward as changing channels on the television set.

But after years of preparation and tunnel-vision focus, the readjustment process was not as straightforward for many who took part in China.

Great Britain hockey star Chloe Rogers has been back for almost three months.
She said: “I really struggled when I came back. I was pretty down, not depressed, but it was like: ‘What do I do now? Where do I go from here?

“I’ve known Beijing was coming for the past three or four years and the last year has been all about the Olympics. Now I can’t believe it’s over. It went so quickly.

“I’ve got London to work towards, but that is such a long way away and it’s hard to get going again.”

Rogers enjoyed a brief lift when when she took part in the Olympic parade through London and met the Queen at Buckingham Palace – “I will never experience anything like that again in my lifetime,” – but reality has since bitten.

As part of the English and British squad, Rogers receives annual Lottery funding through Sport England.

It covers expenses but is not enough to live on and many of her team-mates also hold down full-time jobs. Rogers herself worked for Reed Recruitment before taking two-months unpaid leave around the Olympics.

The High Wycombe company kept her position open for her, but the 23-year-old with a degree in Sports Management from Bucks New University has used the time off to take stock and does not see her long-term future in recruitment.

Like many of her peers though, she is finding that elite sport and a career make difficult juggling.
She said: “I’ve never really had a chance to think about my career. I came out of university and went straight into hockey.

“Reed was the first job that was flexible enough to fit around it and I must really thank for that, but I want to do something in sports development.

“I went for an interview a few weeks ago and the first question they asked was how I was going to fit the job around my hockey.”

Rogers is currently working part-time for England Hockey at Loughborough, but if she has to enter the job market for real in four years time she will be a long way behind the game.

She said: “At the moment I’m focussed on London and making the squad then.

“I’ve got another 40 years of working so hopefully the next four years won’t affect that too much and I just have to hope employers understand why I haven’t really worked for the past four years.

“It might be difficult but it’s the sacrifice of being an elite sportsperson and I wouldn’t swap four years of being outside doing what I love for four years in an office.

“I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done or any decision I’ve made.”

Saturday 22 November 2008

Newspaper Report

Article from the Reading Evening Post

Olympics star Chloe Rogers proved an inspiration for budding hockey players at The Abbey School.

The Great Britain hockey international spoke to the schoolgirls about her Olympic training and what it takes to be a good hockey player before autographing their hockey sticks and trainers.

Hockey players from Year 6 at The Abbey Junior School joined Years 7 to 9 for the afternoon of hockey-related activities, which included a training session led by the international.

Nicky Hurley, development and communications officer at the Kendrick Road school, said: “Chloe’s visit was a bit of inspiration for the hockey teams.

“They all had an absolutely wonderful time and the girls that came up from the junior school now know what to expect in terms of hockey when they come up to the seniors.”

Wednesday 19 November 2008

Essex Sports Awards Evening

Hi All,

The Essex Sports Awards were a lovely evening with Essex boy and Paralympic Gold Medalist Danny Crates as Guest Speaker for the night. It was great to see so much development of all sports across Essex and volunteers spending so much time helping others.
I managed to be highly recommended for the sports personality of the year award (runner-up), Alex O'Connell from Brentwood won the top award after competing in Beijing for Team GB at Fencing.

On to hockey...
We had a good result in the National Premier League last weekend away at Clifton. Leicester managed a 1-0 win in a very well fought match and we knew we needed the points after a few dodgy results so far this season. Hopefully this win will now continue forwards and roll on with some more wins.

We take on Trojans away on Sunday 23rd November.

Chloe12

Thursday 6 November 2008

BBC Essex Sports Personality of the Year

Tonight, 6th November 2008 I will be off to the BBC Essex's Sports Awards in Chelmsford. This year I have been nominated by Chelmsford hockey club for the award along with GB team mate Lisa Wooding. It should be a great function with the opportunity to catch up with fellow Team GB athletes who where out in Beijing and are also from Essex and other sports stars from around the county.

I attended this awards evening about 6 years ago when I was shortlisted for the Young Sports Personality award and its now nice to be invited back for the senior award and show that I have continued and developed on to reach the highest level. That year I remember Ronnie O'Sullivan won the top award on the night.

We will have to wait and see who win's it this year!

Chloe 12