Some farm friends are helping keep young hockey star Hattie Shand in the groove
Elite athletes are going to great lengths to keep themselves active and fit as the coronavirus takes hold. One rising star found plenty of help from a new group of mates on the family farm. Check out this video.
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Promising young hockey player Hattie Shand has added her innovative approach to keeping fit during the coronavirus pandemic by using some of her family’s farm animals as training aids.
Chickens, dogs, a horse and even sheep are playing a handy, but somewhat static part in helping Shand keep her eye in, sometimes even as would-be defenders on Shand’s parents’ farm just outside of Naracoorte.
Best highlighted in her video Shand’s helpers looked on with passing interest as the rising star finetuned a few moves.
Shand, 20, of North Adelaide, who recently played for the Jillaroos (Australia’s under-21 women’s team) in their clean sweep against Japan’s junior team in Canberra, said she was keen to build on her good form and sound fitness the best way she could while having a bit of fun.
“I just thought it up while I was on the farm,” Shand said.
“I’m at my family’s sheep farm and I’m training daily, including running, gym and having a few touches with the hockey stick and ball.
“So I thought I would have a bit of a laugh while having a run. The sheep are very spoiled, hand-reared ones actually!
“I will be here as long as there is no hockey in Adelaide.
“I’m currently studying my university courses online so there’s no point being in Adelaide at the moment.
“Not sure what’s in store hockey wise in the future, however I will be preparing the best I can and be ready to go when we get the go ahead.
“It’s a perfect time to focus on nutrition, mental wellness and physical development while at home.
“I am enjoying having a mental break but I’m itching to get back into it.’’
Shand played for the Adelaide Fire in the recent national Hockey One competition and is a SA Sports Institute scholar.