Spence drops Tokyo bid

Tigers captain opts out of Olympics program

TASSIE Tigers captain Amelia Spence has made the difficult decision to not pursue an Olympic Games spot, withdrawing from the Hockeyroos 2020 squad.

Spence, who played 11 internationals, advised national coach Paul Gaudoin that she would not take up a national squad position in 2020 after receiving a two-day deadline to confirm her position.

The Hockeyroos yesterday announced a 27-player Olympic squad, featuring five new players but no Tasmanians.

“I felt honoured to be selected and it was obviously an attractive option that made it a very hard decision,” Spence said. “I’ve given up so much of my life for hockey and put other things on hold. I’m 25 years old and at a stage where I’m happy and settled back in Hobart and didn’t want to be moving to Perth on January 1, 2020.

“It was a bit last minute to withdraw and I had a lot of mixed opinions from people I value and trust, but it came down to the fact that I didn’t want to move again and put my life on hold once more.”

Spence plans to recommence university studies next year and work for a local physiotherapy clinic, as well as defend a Premier League title with Derwent Hockey Club. Tigers coach Luke Doerner admits he pushed Spence to get back in the national program.

“Amelia is a dynamic midfielder and players of her quality to break midfield lines aren’t really there in the Australian side, or many countries in the world,” Doerner said.

“They are really big sacrifices that athletes need to make to move the Perth, commit 100 per cent to the program of an elite athlete and, even then, selection and ultimate success isn’t guaranteed.

“I would have loved to see her go and it would have been great for aspiring Tasmanian athletes to see her progress through that pathway and be on the international stage, but it got down to the fact Amelia’s heart wasn’t fully in it.

“She’s just getting her ducks in line with university, a new job and partner, but I guess the positive is our local athletes will get to compete against her week in week out at Premier League level and the Tigers next Hockey One campaign.”

The Hockeyroos face Belgium in Perth from January 25-26.