Corlene Van der Spuy | Sport

I’m passionate about hockey and I’ve been playing hockey for 8 years, 6 of which I’ve played goalkeeper. I always wanted to try goalkeeping so when I got the opportunity at the age of 11; my first year in Intermediate, I jumped at the chance to get in the gear. I fell in love with goalkeeping. I was selected to represent Tauranga in the Under 13’s hockey development team as their goalkeeper that same year. The following year at the age of 12 our school’s 1st XI hockey team invited me to train with them, even though I was too young to play 1st XI hockey. The next year I was selected as the team’s goalkeeper.

I was selected for Tauranga’s under 16’s A team and started playing Women’s club hockey at the age of 14, continuing both of these the following year. In 2024, at the age of 16, I was chosen for Tauranga’s Under 18 Representative A-Team, I was also selected to represent Tauranga at the Women’s National Hockey Tournament (NHC) with special permission from Hockey NZ as I was still underage for the tournament.

I’m a very focused, goal-oriented person and I aspire to play for the Black Sticks and go to the Olympics. I believe with my commitment, the right training and opportunities these goals are achievable.