Commonwealth Games
29 October 2010
Carys in action at the Games
Carys Hopkins of Information Services represented Wales in hockey at the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Blas catches up with her to find out how her medal hopes fared.
Blas: Firstly, congratulations on representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games. How was Delhi?
Carys: It was amazing. From experiencing the culture, to the atmosphere in the games village and obviously competing was fantastic. It was three weeks that I’ll never forget.
Blas: How did you get involved in Hockey?
Carys: I started playing hockey in high school. My school teacher encouraged me to join a local club, Penarth Ladies, and it went from there really.
Blas: How do you combine having a full-time job with the demands of competing at that level in sport?
Carys: I think because I have enjoyed playing so much it has never been that difficult. It is a massive commitment and has taken up a lot of time in the past 10 years but having the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games makes it all worth it. I train most evenings, which includes travelling to Bristol two evenings a week, and it just becomes routine.
Carys with the Welsh team
Blas: What’s been your sporting career highlight to date?
Carys: Apart from the Commonwealth Games it would have to be gaining my 50th cap and captaining the side at the recent World Cup qualifying tournament in Russia.
Blas: What will be your lasting memory of the Commonwealth Games?
Carys: It would probably be playing in front of thousands of people in our final game against Scotland. The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying and having thousands of people chanting your name is crazy. I don’t think I’ll forget that game!
Blas: You’ve achieved so much - what’s next for you in hockey?
Carys: It’s hard to imagine anything topping the experience in Delhi. I am back playing club hockey now with Clifton Ladies and next year, with Wales, we’ll be preparing for the European championships which take place in August when we’ll be hoping to gain promotion to the top division in Europe.
