Charlotte - hartley

hockey

What was your sport and how did you get into it?

My sport was hockey. I was first introduced to hockey at high school by my PE teacher, who was an ex International Scottish hockey player. This PE teacher became the biggest influence of my career. 

Tell us about the highlights of your sporting career?

Highlights in my career include winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games aged 19, coming runner up in the international Junior player of the year awards, winning a gold meal at the Junior Olympics and more recently winning a gold medal at a masters World Cup and being named Englands top goal scorer of the tournament. 

What were some of the challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them?

It can be challenging to bounce back from set backs, one of my biggest set backs was in 2017 when I wasn’t selected for the World Cup. I started having really negative thoughts about myself and my ability. I overcame this by setting myself short term achievable goals, this boosted my confidence and helped my performance on a hockey pitch. 

What have been your highlights while working at the Trust?

For me working with the Trust feels like being part of a big family. I have a wide network of friends through the trust who I love seeing on team days and different events. The programmes we deliver are engaging and meaningful, allowing my day to day job to be really rewarding.

What do you do now alongside working for the Trust?

I work as Director of Hockey at a school coaching all the hockey. I also deliver different programmes in schools based around mental health and wellbeing, inspiring the next generations and becoming the best version of yourself. 

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve been given?

The best bit of advise someone ever gave me was hard work beats natural ability when natural ability doesn't work hard. It has always reinforced to me that in any area of my life I always had to work hard to be the best version of myself and that nothing is ever given to you on a plate. Success is earned, not given. 

What experience do you have of working with corporate organisations? 

I have spent 12 years delivering as an athlete mentor. I have delivered for a variety of different companies at lots of different events. This year I have delivered at an event for the School Games to colleagues from SPAR. My work is mainly in schools but I have also worked on a variety of events outside of school. 

What does Being Me mean to you?

"Being me” means that there is often more to see than a successful hockey player. I have had huge highs in my life but equally just as many lows. I often relate to myself to being just like the young people I speak to and that even now as what they may judge as a “successful individual” stood in front of them, I still have daily challenges, areas of my life that I would like to change and down days. For me, as part of this work, it is important for young people to see you as a relatable human being, not as a successful athlete. I think by reinforcing this message we get the most out of the young people we are delivering too.

Competitive Record

2007

Sydney Junior Olympics (Gold)

2006

Commonwealth Games - Bronze

4 Nations Tournament - Bronze

2005

KT Cup Korea - Gold

Junior World Cup Chile