Karen Smith and Wendy Beattie have announced their retirement from international hockey, Smith after eleven years in the national side, and Beattie six. Both players were members of the recent silver medal winning World Cup team, as well as gold medalists at this year's Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne, and their experience will be sorely missed for the Hockeyroos.

Karen Smith played 271 games for the Hockeyroos and scored 48 goals. She ends her career as the second highest capped Hockeyroo, eight behind Rechelle Hawkes. Smith made her debut as a 17 year old in 1996 and has competed in one Olympic Games, three World Cups, nine Champions Trophies and two Commonwealth Games. Smith is part of an elite group of players that performed in nine Champions Trophies. Only 3 other players have played in 9 editions of the event: Magdalena Aicega (ARG); Nadine Ernsting-Krienke (GER) and Nikki Hudson (AUS).

For Smith the time was right to retire. ÔÇÿThis has not been an easy decision however, I believe it is the right time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life,' said Smith.

ÔÇÿI am extremely content with all I have achieved in my hockey career and I have achieved well and beyond what most hockey players would ever dream of. I knew that Rechelle had played in the high 270s so it seems fitting that she keeps that record. I was just really excited to play 250.'

ÔÇÿFor me, the highlight of my career was the Olympic Games. As a little girl I always wanted to compete in the Olympics, to do it in Athens was great. Winning the World Cup, in 1998, and the Commonwealth Games, this year, were great too.'

Wendy Beattie made her debut for the Hockeyroos in 2001, since then she has played 113 games in the green and gold and scored 16 goals. She has competed in two World Cups, three Champions Trophies and one Commonwealth Games.

ÔÇÿI'm so satisfied with what I have achieved in hockey and I wanted to leave feeling good about the game,' said Beattie.

ÔÇÿBeing chosen in the Hockeyroos in 2001 was a dream come true for me and being able to play over a hundred games for Australia is something I will always be very proud of.'

ÔÇÿI think the time was right to retire. I'm working as a nutritionist and want to pursue that career, as well as start a family down the track.'

ÔÇÿThe highlight of my career would have to be making Hockeyroos side in 2001 and also winning gold this year at the Commonwealth Games, that was awesome.'

Chief Executive of Hockey Australia, Linden Adamson, congratulated both players on their distinguished careers and thanked them for their contribution to the sport.

ÔÇÿHockey Australia would like to congratulate both Karen and Wendy on their outstanding achievements,' he said.

ÔÇÿTo have ended their careers with a final at the World Cup, as well as winning Commonwealth Games gold this year in Melbourne, they leave the sport on a high. On behalf of the players and staff of Hockey Australia we wish to thank them both and wish them well in their future endeavors.'

Source: Hockey Australia


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