Sarah Robertson Reflects on Hockey Career with ‘No Regrets’

Sarah Robertson expresses satisfaction with her choice to prioritize a hockey career over football. This decision proved successful, as she recently declared her retirement from Great Britain’s national team, having accumulated over 100 appearances and an Olympic bronze medal. Hailing from Selkirk in the Borders, Robertson excelled in rugby and football during her teenage years, even signing with Hibs Ladies. Nevertheless, she holds no regrets regarding her choice to concentrate on hockey and anticipates increasing her 118 appearances for Scotland in the coming year. Robertson earned age-grade caps for football up to the Scotland under-17 squad, while simultaneously drawing attention for her hockey skills. At 18, she faced a pivotal decision. The 31-year-old remembers: “It was a big choice at the time because I enjoyed my football, but I loved my hockey too.” She added, “I grew up playing different sports in the Borders and it taught me so much.” She also noted, “Before I got into hockey I played rugby and football, predominantly in boys teams, and that pushed me so much.” Her hockey journey commenced at Selkirk High School, progressing through a “great pathway” with South of Scotland teams and the Fjordhus Reivers club in the Borders, where Janet Jack, a former participant in the GB programme, served as her coach. She stated: “All of those experiences taught me so much about sporting ability, but also about working hard, being humble, staying grounded, that nothing gets handed to you on a plate – all characteristics that have stayed with me throughout my sporting career.” She maintains no regrets about ultimately choosing hockey. “Women’s football has gone on to achieve amazing things, but I feel like hockey has been a sport that has pushed me to achieve my potential,” she commented. Robertson expressed that she encountered “amazing people” and considered herself “very privileged” to have represented Team GB in two Olympic Games. She concluded, “I’m glad I went down the hockey route.” Robertson achieved her full Scotland debut in 2012 at 19 years old, followed by her Great Britain debut in 2015. Her first Olympic appearance occurred in Tokyo during the postponed 2020 Games, where she participated in every match and netted a remarkable goal in a thrilling 4-3 victory against India, securing the bronze medal. As an essential player for the GB team that competed globally and secured qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games, she conveyed significant disappointment about not reaching another semi-final in Paris. However, she remarked, “But it was still a special tournament to be part of.” She further commented: “There’s not many Scots who have had the chance to play in an Olympics, never mind two Olympics, and to get to 100 caps, and be presented with it by Andy Murray, is just amazing.” The athlete from the Borders accepted an opportunity to play for the Tasmanian Tigers in Australia until Christmas, as she anticipates a new chapter in 2025, employed by Grays hockey. She intends to continue playing for her London club, Hampstead and Westminster, and aspires to earn more Scotland caps, but her career as a full-time professional player has concluded. “It’s a bit surreal that that’s the end of it for Great Britain, but I look back with no regrets,” she stated. “I know I gave it everything, and applied myself, and I’m really proud of what I achieved and some of the performances I put in along the way.” She added, “I’m sad that it’s at an end, but it’s come to an end on my terms and I feel very grateful to all the people who have helped me live the dream of being a full-time athlete for 10 years.” She concluded, “It’s not easy, but it’s been a privilege to do it.”