PERTHNOW.COM.AU SUNDAY APRIL 3 2016 SPORT 55

Third-time lucky: Hockeyroo Casey Sablowski, pictured at the State Hockey Centre in Bentley, is looking forward to her third Olympics in Rio. Picture: Will Russell Thrice girl seeks her redemption in Rio

CARLY ADNO has hockey in her blood. Both not to have experienced any- her parents played the sport, as thing career-threatening. did her brother and extended “I’ve definitely had my fair T was always Casey Sablowski’s family. share of injuries, but fortu- goal to take part in three Olym- Sablowski herself took up nately I’ve had no major con- Ipic Games, a box she’s likely to the sport at the tender age of cerns that have been career- tick in Rio if, as expected, she’s se- five, playing in a mixed com- threatening,” Sablowski said. lected in the squad. petition for a team called Al- “I’m thankful nothing like that But the 27-year-old has bion Park until she switched to has come about. It’s just about hinted it could also be her last. women’s hockey at the age of managing soft tissue injuries, Sablowski, who hails from 12, and her rise to national level recurring hamstrings, tears the south coast of NSW, made her Hockeyroos debut at the age of 17 and three years later, I’m really hungry for the gold in 2009, she was named the FIH World Young Player of medal in Rio, that would just be a the Year. nice little send off. It’s been a stellar career ever since, but after marrying her long-time partner Scott in 2014 she has set herself a new goal – was, as she describes it, “rapid”. and strains. I’ve had a frac- starting a family. But it also required her to leave tured eye socket along the way The couple are based in Dreaming of gold: Hockeyroos, left to right, , , , Anna home and head west for . and a torn posterior cruciate WA, which is where Hockey Flanagan (front centre), (back), Karri McMahon, Casey Sablowski and , “It was pretty rapid coming ligament (PCL). In all I con- ’s high-performance during a team promotional visit to Shenton Park Dog's Refuge Home. Picture: Marie Nirme into the Australian team. I was sider myself quite lucky to unit is, but a move back to young, I debuted at 17 and have had the few serious injur- NSW is on the cards after Rio. “He’s teaching, so it just de- coming away with two fifth bracket where I could make moved over to the institute at ies I’ve had.” “At the moment the only pends on where he’s working places at the two previous three Olympic Games, that 18, so I moved away from fam- Though unsure of what the thing I am sure about is that and I’ll be the supportive wife Olympics, I’m really hungry was always a bit of a goal of ily and friends, which was future holds after Rio, it’s my husband and I want to start for him. They’ve given up a lot for that gold medal,” she said. mine. probably the hardest thing I’ve bound to be an emotional a family, so that’s going to be of their time and effort for us, “I think preparation has “Along the way you have ever had to do at such a young Olympic Games for Sablowski the priority after Rio,” she said. so it would be nice to repay the probably shifted a little bit for different setbacks and you age,” she said. no matter the result. Either “I think at that stage we’ll favour.” me in the last two or three start to re-evaluate – different “It was completely across way, she can’t wait to get to Rio have to reassess where we’re It means there’s added mo- years knowing how devastat- things happen in life where the other side of the country, for what could be her final living – we’re both from NSW tivation to finish among the ing it is to come close and miss you questions things. you can’t just pop home and campaign. and ideally when we start a medals this campaign, es- out on semi-finals, so I think “But I always knew I want- have someone look after you, “It probably won’t hit me family we want to both be close pecially after the devastation I’ve definitely left no stone un- ed to go to my third Olympic you have to grow up quite until after it’s all over,” she to our families and friends. Sablowski experienced in the turned for this campaign. Games. I’m really hungry for quickly.” said. “For me it will be just taking past two Olympics when the “Physically I’m in pretty the gold medal in Rio, that She also had to nurse her- “Rio is such a vibrant city a back step from hockey and Hockeyroos finished fifth. good shape so far and I’m just would just be a nice little send self through various injury set- and Brazil, I’ve never been allowing him to pursue his ca- “I’m really excited at the hoping the body holds out. I off.” backs along the way, though there, so it will be cool to try reer and where that takes us. prospect of going, but for me knew I was probably in the age Sablowski, born Eastham, she counts herself as fortunate and experience it.”