Robertson has 'no regrets' over GB hockey career

Sarah Robertson is glad she turned her back on football to pursue a playing career in hockey.

It turned out to be the right option as she recently announced her retirement from playing for Great Britain with more than 100 caps and an Olympic bronze medal to her name.

As a teenager, Robertson - from Selkirk in the Borders - shone at rugby and football, being signed by Hibs Ladies.

However, she has no regrets about the decision to focus on hockey and still hopes to add to her 118 appearances for Scotland next year.

She won age-grade caps up to Scotland under-17 level in football, but was also attracting interest in hockey, and at 18 she had a decision to make.

"It was a big choice at the time because I enjoyed my football, but I loved my hockey too," the 31-year-old recalls.

"I grew up playing different sports in the Borders and it taught me so much.

"Before I got into hockey I played rugby and football, predominantly in boys teams, and that pushed me so much."

She started hockey at Selkirk High School and followed a "great pathway" with South of Scotland teams, and at the Fjordhus Reivers club in the Borders where she was coached by Janet Jack, who had been in the GB programme herself.

"All of those experiences taught me so much about sporting ability, but also about working hard, being humble, staying grounded, that nothing gets handed to you on a plate - all characteristics that have stayed with me throughout my sporting career," she said.

She has no regrets about finally settling on hockey.

"Women's football has gone on to achieve amazing things, but I feel like hockey has been a sport that has pushed me to achieve my potential," she said.

She said she had met "amazing people" and felt "very privileged" to have been part of the Team GB at two Olympics.

"I'm glad I went down the hockey route," she added.

Robertson made her full Scotland debut in 2012, aged 19, and for Great Britain in 2015.

Her Olympic debut came in Tokyo in the delayed 2020 Games, where she played in every game and scored a stunning goal in a dramatic 4-3 win over India that secured the bronze medal.

A key member of the GB team that competed at world level and qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games, she was hugely disappointed to miss out on another semi-final in Paris.

"But it was still a special tournament to be part of," she added.

"There's not many Scots who have had the chance to play in an Olympics, never mind two Olympics, and to get to 100 caps, and be presented with it by Andy Murray, is just amazing."

The Borderer took up an offer to play for the Tasmanian Tigers in Australia until Christmas, as she prepares for a new life in 2025, working for Grays hockey.

She will still play for her London club, Hampstead and Westminster, and hopes to add to her Scotland caps, but life as a full-time pro player is now behind her.

"It's a bit surreal that that's the end of it for Great Britain, but I look back with no regrets," she said.

"I know I gave it everything, and applied myself, and I'm really proud of what I achieved and some of the performances I put in along the way.

"I'm sad that it's at an end, but it's come to an end on my terms and I feel very grateful to all the people who have helped me live the dream of being a full-time athlete for 10 years.

"It's not easy, but it's been a privilege to do it."