Amanda and Nikki in Spain this past June

 

This column will operate on two levels.

 

On one level, it will provide an overdue update on the Woodcroft sisters, Amanda and Nikki, as members of our national field hockey team who are also graduates of Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School in Waterloo.

 

On another level, it will serve as an illustration of how successful and satisfying the athletic experience of young people can be for all involved when the triangular relationship between participant, coach and parents come together to achieve a common goal.

 

And to be clear, that common goal is not victories or even championships for that matter.

 

The goal is for all three parties to come away having had a positive experience and for the athlete (in this case, two of them) to have maximized their potential.

 

Sounds simple, right?

 

Youth sports…two basic goals…positive experience…maximizing potential.

 

As we all know, it doesn't always happen that way. But in the case of Amanda and Nikki Woodcroft, their parents Chris and Nil and their high school coach, Laurie Montgomery, it certainly did.

 

For now, let's put that three-sided success story aside.

 

 

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When I asked father Chris why his daughters, who were also very skilled in ice hockey and soccer, chose the less popular sport of field hockey as the one they focused on, he replied "Because it was a natural fit for them."

 

"They loved that it combined the stick skills of ice hockey and the tactics and field play of soccer".

 

"They were both exposed to field hockey at Centennial Public School and loved that experience. Entering high school it was either basketball, cross country or field hockey in the fall and they were fortunate to start SJAM with field hockey and Laurie Montgomery in charge." 

 

Older sister Amanda was first to join the Highlander program and as with many soon-to-be elite athletes, her natural ability caught the eye of Montgomery immediately.

 

"I knew the second I saw Amanda touch a ball that she would be a great player. But I never imagined that she (and Nikki) would actually love the sport so much that they would take their playing to the highest level possible," says the SJAM physical education instructor.

 

"They had so many other athletic talents they had been immersed in from a young age. It was pretty cool to see them follow this 'off-the-beaten-path' sport."

 

"When I knew that Amanda had a little sister, I assumed that the genetics would be passed down."

 

It was a solid assumption.

 

Amanda recalls that it was a friend of her dad's who told him about Field Hockey Ontario while she was playing in a tournament in grade ten for SJAM.

 

"That year I tried out for the team and never looked back."

 

Never looked back, indeed.

 

The University of Toronto grad's field hockey career has been moving forward ever since.

 

After leading the Highlanders to a number of WCSSAA/CWOSSA titles and OFSSA gold medal finals (they came up short several times to Resurrection High School - ironically where her father is the principal), Amanda was selected as both OUA and CIS rookie-of-the-year in 2011 followed by four seasons as an OUA all-star and CIS All-Canadian. In 2014, she was chosen as both the OUA and CIS player-of-the-year.

 

Nikki, who also attended U of T and was part of two OUA gold medal championship teams as well as one CIS silver, was the best player on the SJAM squad that finally broke through to capture the OFSSA crown.

 

"I had the privilege to compete in the OFSAA field hockey final all four of my high school years. Ending my high school career with OFSSA gold after three previous silver medals was amazing."

 

"However, some of the moments I cherished most was the time spent with my friends at practices and games, laughing and creating memories that will last a lifetime."

 

The Women's National Team, ranked 15th in the world, has its headquarters in Victoria, B.C. but is currently training in Belgium where both sisters reside.

 

Amanda is living in Leuven, Belgium and has as her roommate and teammate Brienne Stairs, a standout at Forest Heights Collegiate and now one of Canada's most prolific scorers. The two of them play in the Belgium Hockey League for KHC Leuven and coach youth teams while training with the national team.

 

"I never played against Brienne as she is four years older, but I played against and later with her sisters."

 

"We've become close friends after living together the past 3 years or so. We've travelled together lots and when we're home, we always workout together and hang out still. It’s easy to become best friends and sisters with your teammates when we all spend so much time together."

 

Nikki is also living in Belgium and training with the national team. She plays for the Royal Evere White Star Hockey Club in Evere, Brussels.

 

Although I asked them separately what the biggest difference is playing field hockey at an elite level, they answered back in similar fashion: "the grass" and "the speed of the game."

 

 Says Amanda: "The game has evolved and changed greatly since I was in high school so I have learned many new skills and tactics."

 

"When we played high school field hockey, most of the games were played on grass and occasionally on field/soccer turf if we were lucky," says Nikki. "Moving to the provincial and university level we began playing on 'water base' field hockey pitches, which are much faster."

 

"Plus, the overall level of the game and skills of the opponents are at a higher level," she adds.

 

"Playing for Canada, we're competing against some of the world's best field hockey players. Everyone at the international level is both physically and mentally fit and has put numerous hours into their training (us included)."

 

"When we were younger, it was a fun sport we did after school - now it is something we live for and absolutely love to do. We work hard day in and day out to try to accomplish our goals and reach our dreams."

 

One of those dreams is to qualify for next summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.

 

The team captured a silver medal at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru this summer falling to Argentina (ranked #3 in the world) in the final. They now play a two-game aggregate qualifier vs. Ireland in early November hoping to make that dream come true.

 

I asked Chris if his experience as a two-time Olympic wrestler (he won a Commonwealth title and took  home bronze at the Pan Am Games) helped the gals in any way.

 

"I think it assisted both my wife and myself in providing guidance for Amanda and Nikki with regards to the narrow window you have as an athlete to compete internationally," he said.

 

"To take the time to enjoy all the experiences that come along with it. To reassure them of how proud we are of them for who they are and not just what they have accomplished."

 

"And finally, to reinforce the notion of going out and competing to win and not going out 'not to lose'!!!"

 

"Because no matter what, we love them."

 

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To say that the relationship between the Woodcroft sisters, coach Montgomery and their parents is a three-sided mutual admiration society is an understatement.

 

I offer as evidence, the following statements:

 

AW: "Monty created a loving and fun environment that also catered to my competitive personality. She always made sure we were enjoying ourselves while teaching us the importance of never giving up, dedication and working together on a common goal. Monty is one of the main reasons I am where I am today and I could not be more grateful to have her still supporting me."

 

LM: "The Woodcrofts are such a great sport family. I always got a thank-you from the parents cc'd to my principal thanking me for the time and effort that I put into the season."

"They supported me as a coach and always expressed their gratitude. I still see them walking around Westvale and always get a hug and quick update on where the girls are and what adventures they are into."

 

CW: "The SJAM experience for our girls provided each girl with friends for life. All the coaches and Monty in particular reinforced all the positive attributes associated with high performance sport. She prepared them thoroughly in aspects of sport and valued hard work, preparation, competition and sportsmanship above all else."

 

NW: "My parents have been role models for me and supports to lean on through everything. I began playing sports at a young age and my parents always encouraged us to be active whether it be going for a walk, swimming, playing tennis, going skiing or more."

"I am thankful for their constant support in all my sports endeavours and for always being at our games supporting us from the bench or sideline."

 

LM: "They both have a tremendous sport IQ. They can read plays and see space before their opponents can. They were both known as key play-makers on the team."

"They have remarkable speed and fitness - putting more miles in than every other player because of their ability to run hard for a long period of time."

"They are two of the grittiest players I have ever coached. Their mental game is strong and they have a competitive nature that can only be found in top-level athletes."

 

AW: "Our parents have always been our number one fans. They have been there as much as they can be in person and will watch online no matter the time difference."

"Always supporting us and pushing us to be our best. We get a 'good luck/work hard' message before every game no matter what game it is."

 

NW: "The lessons we learned from Monty go far beyond that of field hockey. She taught us life lessons that we will carry moving forward through our lives."

"It was truly an honour to have been coached and taught by her during my high school years."

 

Trust me, I could share more - but I think you get the idea.

 

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Sometimes when young people participate in sports, they have a great connection with their coach but parents interfere in a negative way.

 

Sometimes parents and coaches are on the same page but the athlete lacks motivation or is in need of an attitude adjustment.

 

And sometimes the potential and experience of a young athlete and his/her family is spoiled by a coach who is either inappropriate or under qualified or possibly both.

 

But sometimes all three come together with a common goal in mind: to maximize athletic potential in a way that becomes a positive experience for all concerned.

 

There was no guarantee that when Amanda and Nikki Woodcroft - and their parents Chris and Nil - arrived on Laurie Montgomery's field hockey doorstep, success of this kind would automatically follow.

 

But it absolutely has.

 

Why is that?

 

Sometimes the answer is as simple as: one, two, three.