World At Her Feet

England and GB Women’s hockey star, Giselle Ansley, looks back at a whirlwind 18 months since winning Gold at the Rio Olympics and tells Devon Life of her delight at the impact the team’s success has had on the sport

SINCE making her international debut in 2013, Devonshire girl Giselle Ansley has been a key component in defence for both the England and GB ladies hockey side. Born in Kingsbridge, she was introduced to hockey at a young age, watching her mum from a pitchside pushchair at Paignton Hockey Club.

“I started playing hockey mainly because of my mum,” confirms Giselle. “I used to watch her regularly and I suppose it was only a matter of time before I picked up a stick for myself. I was eight when I started at Paignton before moving to Dartmouth Hockey Club and then Plymouth Marjons Hockey Club. I have such happy memories of all my early clubs.”

Now at the age of just 25, Giselle has already achieved what most athletes can only dream of – winning an Olympic gold medal. “Rio was an incredible experience, something I will never forget,” reflects Giselle, who was part of a team that won all eight of their matches in the tournament en route to the gold medal match. “We had a great support team around us and we were able to create a feeling of togetherness and a winning philosophy that enabled us to be successful.’’