HOLLIE WEBB
SCORED THE WINNING PENALTY
‘The night we won was really interesting. One minute I was crying, the next I was in shock. There was so much to take in. It was strange because I felt no nerves taking that penalty. I was thinking, “It’s just a hockey game, what is the worst that can happen?” I wanted to make their keeper wait, so I took my time, followed the process, and I felt fine. ‘But that night, I was lying in bed going over the pen and was feeling so nervous, thinking, “What if I missed?” I guess that’s the brilliance of sports psychology because I was able to perform in the moment and not think about the enormity of it. ‘But once in bed, despite having scored, I couldn’t get away from the nerves. That’s interesting. ‘The reaction to the gold has been wonderful. The funny thing is, I have worked at the same company as an accountant for four years alongside hockey and three years prior to Rio I was only in part time. People would see me and ask if I was new. ‘One thing about Rio is they now know me. Another thing to come from it is that I was given the freedom of the Borough of the Amber Valley (in Derbyshire), where I’m from. My mum researched it, apparently I can walk my sheep through town. ‘I guess that’s different.’