Eddie Bone makes Capital League One Return in Livin for Hockey Mental Health Round

EDDIE BONE MAKES CAPITAL LEAGUE ONE RETURN IN LIVIN FOR HOCKEY MENTAL HEALTH ROUND

It’s been a quick four years since it last happened, but Edwina Bone will once again wear University of Canberra Hockey Club colours in the Capital One League (CL1) on Friday night when they come up against the Tuggeranong Vikings.

It could be an important one-off inclusion for UCHC in the context of the women’s CL1 season. With just six rounds remaining, UCHC currently hold fourth position on the ladder, four points ahead of TVHC who have a game in hand. The top four will progress into finals at season’s end.

A lot has happened for Bone since her last cameo appearance in the CL1 competition. In the meantime, Edwina competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games before retiring from international competition. She completed a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) in 2021, which led her to land a job at Methodist Ladies College in Perth. This year, she welcomed her and her husband's firstborn, Hudson Shea, to the world.

It’s been long awaited return to the game, but according to Eddie, now is the right time.

“I have always loved hockey and the love of competing, it’s something that I will never lose. It’s been a controlled return with the assistance of women’s health Physio’s in Perth, but I am excited to be able to play again,” Bone said.

Eddie’s return to Canberra hockey aligns with the competition’s second annual Livin for Hockey Mental Health Round. One of the Canberra competition’s newer ‘Rounds of Significance’, Mental Health Round was created to promote awareness and conversation around Mental Health within the Hockey ACT community by shining a light on the importance of mental health and help reduce the stigma attached.

“Mental health has always been a priority for me throughout my career, especially in key moments like selections, training, playing and injuries,” says Bone.

“I was fortunate that both ACTAS and Hockey Australia programs provided me with mental health education, support, and management tools that I could utilise on a daily basis.

“I always felt prepared and ready to perform at my best because of this ongoing practice of hockey and life balance. The skills I learnt; I use every day. Especially now trying to juggle a newborn, return to work and returning to the Chill squad. Being part of a team and being able to lean on them when you need it most is what I love about hockey.”

After taking a year away from Hockey One to welcome her firstborn, Bone was recently included in the Canberra Chill’s extended squad ahead of the 2023 season and completed her first training session back with the group this week.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to be part of the Chill campaign after having not played for ACT since 2019.

“I attended my first Chill session on Wednesday night, I don’t miss those cold night training sessions, but I’m really impressed with the high level of commitment and skill the group are showing this early in the preparation. I can’t wait to see what this group can do in 2023.”

Eddie will make her CL1 return for UCHC, against TVHC, at 8PM on Friday night, on the Watt Field at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham.