INSPO Fitness Journal April 2017

STICKING
TO A GOAL
BY LISA POTTER
Alia Jaques has come a long way since running
around her garden with a tiny hockey stick.
Since showing an interest in the sport
as a youngster, she has gone on to represent
New Zealand as a Junior Black
Stick and is currently in the National Black
Sticks Development Squad.
Hamilton born and raised, the former
Waikato Diocesan School student picked up
a hockey stick when she was just five, wanting
to follow in the footsteps of her older
siblings.
“They both played hockey and dad
coached our primary school team, so I was
always enthusiastic about it. I was so little
that my dad broke a hockey stick in half so I
could play.”
The cost of ruining one hockey stick turned
out to be a good decision. Alia hasn’t wavered
from her love of the sport and the committed
athlete has always prioritised hockey; her
determination to succeed seeing her juggle
full time study, two part-time jobs and regular
travel to Auckland for training sessions.
A year of firsts and career highlights for
Alia, 2016 saw her wear the iconic black and
white uniform on more than one occasion.
First up was playing for the New Zealand
Under 21 team at the Junior World Cup in
Chile, followed by her debut (a week later) in
the national Black Sticks’ team in a test series
against Malaysia (which New Zealand won).
Alia now trains regularly in Auckland with
the Black Sticks she grew up idolising, as part
of the National Black Sticks Development
Squad.
“Now I’m aiming to get fitter and faster,
with a long term goal of being part of the
Black Sticks team for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Fitness Journal finds out more...
What motivates you?
The love of the game is a big motivator and
wanting to be the best I can be. Representing
your country is such a thrill and in those
hard moments I am able to dig deeper to
make my country proud, my family and the
community who support me and enable me
to do what I love. It is a physical game that
has so many different aspects and that is why
I love it so much.
What are the challenges?
Keeping up my fitness and overcoming
Achievements
2016
• NZ Futures, Junior World Cup Qualifier – 2nd
• Midlands U21 – 1st
• Midlands NHL – 3rd
• NZ Futures, AHL Perth Tour – 6th
• Junior World Cup
• Black Sticks National team test series
against Malaysia
2015
• NZ U21 Japan series – 2nd
• Midlands U21 – 3rd
• Midlands NHL – 3rd
2014
• NZ U21 India series – 1st
• Midlands U21 – 4th
injuries. I have had some major injuries
throughout my hockey career, with an ACL
rupture when I was younger and a stress
fracture a few years later. These just made
me more determined to get back on the
pitch and I learnt to appreciate every minute
on the field, because I knew how I felt when
I couldn’t play. Another challenge is juggling
university, hockey, work and family/friends.
It takes a lot to manage and it helps to have
people who understand around you.
Who are your supporters?
Midlands High Performance director Simon
Brill, who always takes the time to advise and
help me. He has believed that I can always
give something special to each team I am
part of. Another important person is Christina
Jacklin. And most importantly my family
and friends who have always been there to
support me, from driving me to training in
Auckland when I need to study, to just being
the best support I could ask for.
What does your sport involve?
It is physically demanding and one you can
always improve your skills for, even if you
are the best. The average week usually involves
three to four training sessions, usually
club, regional or high performance sessions.
Then we have two games in the weekend.
Ned Dawson Planet Hockey Photography
Some trainings are fitness-based, others skills
and some are understanding based.
What are your short-term goals?
Implementing a skill perfectly in a game
which I have been working hard to do in
training.
Long-term goals?
To compete in an Olympic Games and win a
gold medal. This involves a lot of hard work
and getting selected into the Development
Squad or Black Sticks squad.
What are your favourite local places to train?
Swarbrick Park in Dinsdale which is where I
live, as the place is usually quiet in the mornings
with great flat areas and hills for training.
Also the YouthFit gym which is where
I do all my strength and conditioning with
my coach Barry Jennings who has known me
since high school. I love Gallagher Hockey
Turf because it is right by the lake and is so
close to my house.
Where in the world would you would like to
train/compete?
Holland - the atmosphere would be incredible
as they treat their hockey players like
superstars and because they are the best in
the world. I would love to be a part of that
and learn from the players there.
What other sports have you have played?
Through high school I was involved in;
equestrian, touch, athletics, cross country.
What advice would you give to someone who
wants to play hockey?
The sport is so much fun and you make great
friends. For those who have aspirations and
dreams; keep trying and never give up. One
of my favourite quotes is ‘if you never give
up, you can never fail’. And as cliché as it, ‘the
best things are never easy’.
30 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL APRIL 2017