Emily Chalker - One on One

As Emily Chalker (nee Smith) comes to terms with hanging up her hockey stick from international competition, she took some time out to reflect and reminisce on her exceptional Hockeyroos career.

Growing up in Crookwell, a town of approximately 2,500 people, Emily progressed through the ranks to become a constant in the Hockeyroos team since making her debut against New Zealand in October 2011.

She competed at three Olympics in a 255 game career, her tally seeing her become the sixth most capped Hockeyroo.

Settled in Perth with her husband, Emily’s transition from elite athlete to vocation sees her now working full time at professional services firm KPMG after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce at Curtin University.

Here is how she looks back on her time with the Hockeyroos.

Congratulations on your career. How difficult was the decision to retire?

EC: “Going into the Tokyo Olympics I always knew they were going to be my last Games. Then when they were deferred it put a spanner in the works and the plans I had. But once we got to Tokyo and I saw how well the team was playing, gelling together and enjoying their hockey, it almost made me reconsider whether it was time to retire or not.

I gave myself plenty of thinking time. The Olympics finished over six months ago and I only just came to the conclusion that it was time to finish up. I am grateful to Hockey Australia and Triny (Katrina Powell) for giving me that time to process what I was going to do and whether it was the right time. When everyone started to go back to training and I wasn’t ready to go back, it was a clear indication. I didn’t want to say the word retire because I didn’t want to leave something that has been such a huge part of my life, so it was a massive decision.”

The fact that you can look back and know you were a big part of getting the team to this point must sit well with you?

EC: “Everyone says you will know when the time is right and I don’t think I will ever really know because I always want to be a part of this group. I know the determination and what is required to be at this level and I wasn’t committed to maintaining that anymore.

It was getting a lot harder with the day to day grind of the physical side of training which was a huge factor in my decision. I’m really going to miss the girls and the environment because it’s such a competitive and elite environment, and I’ve grown up being a part of it for the past 11 years so it’s going to be a huge change for me. Now I’m looking forward to the next challenge that life throws my way.”

What are you going to miss about not being part of the Daily Training Environment?

EC: “Everyone having that common goal and pushing each other to be better every day. You get forced into getting better because everyone around you is pushing and needs that from you. Finding that in work is something I have been thinking about…how do I have that internal drive as opposed to having people pushing me.

The successes and challenges that the group goes through…I’m going to be happy and excited when the girls are doing well but sad at the same time about not being part of it. I’ll be the number one Hockeyroos supporter on the hill at Perth Hockey Stadium whenever there is a game in Perth. I’ll be starting the chants for the girls and am looking forward to that.”

It’s an amazing journey for a girl from Crookwell in country NSW becoming a mainstay in the Hockeyroos, being a triple Olympian and making over 250 appearances. How do you look back on your career?

EC: “Sometimes I still don’t believe it. As an elite athlete there is that self doubt wondering whether you are good enough for this, but I kept getting selected more to my shock than anything else. I was never the most talented hockey player but I think I got the best out of myself, I tried hard, I absolutely love the game and I think that showed in the way I played. When you love what you’re doing, go out there and work bloody hard for it, the rewards come with that attitude.”

You obviously had plenty of talent making your Hockeyroos debut as a 19 year old. What do you remember about making your debut as a teenager?

EC: “It was very exciting and very unexpected. The only reason I got an opportunity was through an injury to someone else. I remember my parents flying down for it. I was lucky the game was in Australia (in Tasmania) so to have my parents and two of my siblings there was really special.

I remember the feeling for the first half of that game, it was a pace and level of hockey that I’d never experienced before. I think that was a combination of nerves and the step up into international hockey but I absolutely loved that thrill. I also remember playing a lot of my early games with one of my good friends Kellie White, who was from the same town as me, so that was great. She was almost like a comfort blanket and helped guide me through those first couple of years. I got to play a lot of games with her so that is something I will cherish.”

Competing at three Olympics is no mean feat. How proud are you of that achievement?

EC: “I’m proud but also feel very fortunate. I’m not sure how to explain it properly but it’s about taking those opportunities and when you get a spot in the team always looking to improve yourself to hold onto that spot.

Being able to do that for a long period of time is something I’m proud of. Also, to physically maintain the load that was required I was lucky not to experience any major or career ending injuries like some others. There were a lot of factors that went into making three Olympic teams but I’ll always be proud of that achievement.”

You were the youngest member of the Hockeyroos team to compete at the 2012 London Olympics. How much of an eye opener was that?

EC: “It was incredible. It was also my first major tournament because I had only played a handful of games in front of small crowds prior to that. To experience packed out stadiums and the intensity and buzz of the Olympics, I was in awe seeing all the famous athletes in the Village, including those representing the Hockeyroos. It was a driver to know that if I wanted to experience something like that again, I had to work hard and keep improving.”

You had a good tournament at the Tokyo Olympics – it must be satisfying to retire on your own terms?

EC: “I’m glad it has happened that way. Going into the Olympics with so many changes just before it, it was a nerve racking time. Was I going to be selected, had I done enough and was I in good enough form? It was probably the most nervous I’ve been for any selection. For London in 2012 it was a shock because I didn’t expect to be in the team. In Rio we had more idea in the lead up of who was in contention so I wasn’t as nervous, but coming into Tokyo not having played many international games because of COVID, it was hard to know where you stood. To get selected and go to Tokyo and prove that I deserved it and contribute was really special.”

Do you have a favourite memory or moment over your career?

EC: “I have so many good memories. Often most of them are while we’re on tour…a group of girls being able to live out their dream of playing hockey for Australia together. On field a special moment was probably scoring my first Olympic goal in Rio in front of my family.

The gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games was really exciting and is something I will never forget. I’m just really grateful for all of the experiences. You get to travel the world doing what you love, meet some incredible people and go to some amazing places along the way. Coming from Crookwell I probably would never have left Australia or experienced the things I did if it wasn’t for hockey.”

You’re a celebrity in Crookwell. Sportsperson of the Year in 2020 and in July last year the Upper Lachlan Shire Council named the new Crookwell Memorial Oval building after you. What does that recognition mean to you?

EC: “The community in Crookwell has been incredibly supportive all the way through my hockey life. When I was a junior I would have fundraisers all the time and everyone would chip in to make sure I got to go to a tournament or travel somewhere where I could be seen by the state selectors.

When I did make it, everyone followed my journey and would constantly send me messages of well wishes. When I go back there, hopefully soon, I look forward to giving back to the community, whether it’s some hockey clinics or whatever, I have to give back to the town because I would not have made it if I didn’t have the support that I did.”

You’re an external auditor/accountant for KPMG. How are you enjoying that?

“I’m really busy at the moment. I did a lot of networking and set myself up to make sure my transition after playing was in something that I wanted to do, and that was to start in my accounting profession. I stepped out of hotel quarantine after the Olympics, had a week with my husband and then launched into full time work and full time study, so it has been full on and I think that is what I needed.

Athletes are goal driven people and need to be striving for something, so for me to walk out of one elite environment into another one where I am now at the bottom of the ranks and working my way through a new career, it’s an exciting challenge and a distraction I needed to fill the void of hockey.

I have enjoyed the sleep ins. I saw the girls had a yoyo running test the other day and I was happy I didn’t have to do that. I have enjoyed Friday night drinks with my husband, eating out a bit more and those things that you don’t do as often as an elite athlete.”

Are you keen to continue playing locally?

EC: “I will still continue to be around hockey and play club hockey. I still love the game and will be out there to get my white line fever hit and competitive streak and enjoy the social aspects of it.

Finally, is there anyone specific you would like to thank or acknowledge?

EC: “The obvious ones are my family who sacrificed a lot when my siblings and I were growing up to make sure that financially I could make it to all of the different tournaments. Mum and dad worked multiple jobs, redrawing on their home loan every time I needed to go on a trip to make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything. They supported my journey through the ups and downs. Mum called me before pretty much every game. Playing 255 games you think she might have got sick of it but they watched and supported the whole way through.

I had some great mentors and played with some incredible players, so I want to thank all my teammates past and present. I have created some friendships that are going to last a very long time and I know that will make me happy when I feel sad thinking about not being in the team anymore. We’re just doing it a bit differently now, catching up at the pub or a café instead of on the hockey field.

I want to thank the coaches I had. Commo (Adam Commens) for giving me my first game and having belief in me, to Goodas (Paul Gaudoin) letting me lead the group was something very special, and in the end Triny (Katrina Powell) reignited my love for the game and brought out my best hockey towards the end of my career.

I also want to acknowledge the financial support I received through my sponsors – JDH in particular has been a constant through my whole career.

But most importantly I want to thank my husband Dom. He has followed me around the world to make sure there is someone in the stands when I finish a game. He was the one that was there when I was having the best times of my life but also going through some challenging times. His support never wavered.”