Georgina 'Gigi' Oliva has competed for Spain at every level of competition, from Champions Challenge to Champions Trophy; from Hockey World League to Olympic Games. But, in just a few weeks time, the dynamic Spanish midfielder and her team mates will take on a whole new challenge as the Spanish national women’s team make their debut at the FIH Hockey Pro League.
It is a challenge that the 31-year-old is relishing: ‘We will be playing against the best teams in the world on a regular basis. It means we have to be at the top of our game for every training session, every match.’
With the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup being held in Spain, as well as the Netherlands, later in the year, Oliva says the regular matches couldn’t have come at a better time.
‘We haven’t been able to play since the Tokyo Olympic Games, so the Pro League will be so important. I am not sure how my body will hold up to the demands but it will be so good for the team.’
Spain’s opening match in the FIH Hockey Pro League will be a double header against the world number one team, the Netherlands. It is not a challenge that fazes Olive.
‘We have to start somewhere, so it might as well be the Netherlands,’ she says. ‘You learn so much from them, They have really set the bar for women's hockey. I would like to play against Holland every week.’
Besides her hockey commitments, Oliva works as a scientist. She explains that the coaching staff liaise closely with the employers to make sure that the players have a balance between their professional careers and their hockey commitments. ‘I think the coach realises that we need other things and they work hard to make that work for us.’
The prospect of travelling the world for her sport is something Oliva thinks will be great for team morale. ‘All players will say that the best thing about sport is the time you spend with your teammates. Not just what happens on the pitch but the chatter in the changing room, the travelling time. It would have been great if we could have started in September but we are starting now, and it will be a really great time for our team.’
Spain will play the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League on 4 and 5 February at the Estadio Betero in Valencia, Spain.
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