Two international hockey players have decided to trade in their familiar turfs for an Argentinian adventure. Lily Owsley of Great Britain and Ashley Hoffman of the United States recently packed their bags and headed south after signing to play for Club Banco Provincia in Buenos Aires.
The local season already got underway much earlier in the year but, having first represented their nations at the Olympic Games in Paris, the duo will join the club for the second part of the year.
Asked why she decided to make the move, Hoffman explained: “Why not? The culture, the food, the people, the country, the futbol, and of course the hockey were all really exciting for me to be a part of. I have visited Buenos Aires a handful of times for Pro League matches and always enjoyed it and think I can grow a lot by experiencing a different environment than I am used to both on and off the field.”
2016 Olympic gold medallist Owsley had also experienced some of what Argentina has to offer during the FIH Hockey Pro League and said: “I love Argentina and have spent a lot of time there playing for GB and England.
“I love the place and how much they love and are passionate about hockey. When I was in Buenos Aires in December playing in the Pro League I thought I could definitely live here. Coincidently a couple of friends from Argentina messaged me about playing here and I started to think about it more seriously.”
According to Hoffman, the trailblazing pair will be the only foreign players in the Metropolitano League.
Both she and Owsley have also played club hockey in the Netherlands and feel there’s plenty to be gained from being exposed to different styles of hockey.
“In England our game is built on a good level of tactical understanding and physicality,” said Owsley. “I love playing in the Netherlands because they are the best hockey nation in the world. They live and breathe hockey, are technically all excellent and play an attacking team game. Their club set-up is great.
“I expect in Argentina the skill level of all individuals will be very high. They have some of the most skilful and most clinical players in the world so I think they will play a very attacking game and go very direct to goal.”
In making her comparisons, Hoffman reckoned: “Hockey in the USA is built on a backbone of fitness and athleticism. We strive to be stronger, faster and mentally more resilient, therefore tough competitors to play.
“Hockey in the Netherlands in comparison is tactically and technically on another level. In Argentina I expect the games to be fast, passionate, a bit unpredictable and a lot of fun.”
A further part of the fun for both players will be learning a new language, with neither particularly proficient in Spanish.
“I do not speak Spanish past basic introductions,” admitted Hoffman, “so I will start Spanish lessons and learn as I go. I really look forward to learning more of the language.”
Owsley, meanwhile, spent some time in Peru brushing up on her Spanish before heading to Argentina.
Hoffman’s plans are to stay in South America until December but for Owsley, it’s a case of seeing how it all goes.
“For now just one season, but I will see how I feel after. However, at some point I want to return to the national team,” she said.
Either way, the duo plan to make the most of their time in the Argentinian capital.
“I am most excited for a new and different challenge. I think it’s important to always test yourself in different environments. I also love to travel and experience different cultures,” said Owsley.
Hoffman added: “South America, and Buenos Aires specifically, has a completely different culture than the USA or Holland, so I am most excited to experience the social life and people, food, futbol, sport culture and "trecertiempo", and language.
“I expect to improve my hockey in these months, having games to play each weekend. With each new team, coach and environment I get the opportunity to see the game through a different lens and take away with me new knowledge on ways to play the game. I also hope to gain some unforgettable memories with new friends.”
