Slapping Balls in Singapore
I decided that the best way to finish nine years of overseas adventures, was to go play some hockey! I headed home to Melbourne via Singapore to play with the Shanghai Dragons at ZOAT, a Dutch hockey competition. My whole return leg was planned around the tournament and I don’t think I could have had a better send off. This was topped off by both Silass and Onny pulling some strings and making it to the tournament too.
ZOAT is full side tournament and it was fun playing in an all female team instead of attempting to outsmart and being beaten by the speedy men. There were some familiar faces in the team, but also some completely new ones. I soon slotted in and ended up being a starting fixture in left field, which was a testament to the amount of running I did over my trip. We played strong and had some great games, narrowly losing in a penalty shoot out for a spot in the final.
We ended up coming third although the eventual winners felt we were the strongest team they played. A storm had interrupted our game and had resulted in the penalty shoot out. The men, however, won the tournament and we just partied with them as if we had ourselves!
Party Kate was certainly in true form over the weekend. I had a smile on my face the whole time (apart from when my foot was playing up) and had heaps of fun singing, dancing and getting to know new friends. Saturday night I was one of the last Shanghai ladies home after getting mixed up with some of the men and ending up at a very interesting and well known Singaporean establishment. Absolutely brilliant!
All in all, it was a great weekend of friendship and hockey. I’ll be doing my upmost to join in the tournament again. It was well organised, lots of fun and made absolutely memorable by the wonderful Shanghai Dragons! I couldn’t think of a better way to finish this chapter of my life. Mixing hockey and living overseas has truly moulded me, not only as a player, but also as an individual. Thank you TEC Darmstadt, Stuttgart Kickers and the Shanghai Dragons for your love and support over the past nine years.
Just as hockey has being a big part of my overseas life, I am looking forward to having the hockey family support back in Melbourne. It’s back to my roots and Southern United for me. xoxo
P.s More Photos?
The Amazing Adventures of Kate and Bear 