Crista Cullen and Georgie Twigg took knocks in the semi-final, putting their bodies on the line for the team. I’m sure it showed the public how brave they are. We’ve got incredible athletes and their desire to earn success for Team GB is immense.
At the top level the game is tough, but if you want to play socially you don’t need to be built like Crista and Georgie, believe me. We’ve got all types of athletes in our team, and one of the great things about hockey is that it’s open to people of all sizes.
Some sports you need to be tall, some sports you need to be tiny, but hockey is open to all types. Crista is the ultimate athlete and a defender, there’s me in goal, different sizes in midfield and up front – it’s open to everyone who wants to pick up a stick. And if you like the padding, get in goal like I did.
It’s hard to believe I got my 100th international cap out here, and it was amazing to do it at an Olympics with my parents watching. I only had eight caps when I became number one in 2013, so it’s been a mad journey and I’m so grateful to the coaches for their faith in me. It was a special moment, I have to say. I’ve just got another 260 or so games to catch Kate Richardson-Walsh.
Now we look forward to the final with a really good feeling. We’ve got no fear, we’ve won seven in seven and we take confidence from that. We’re facing a Dutch team looking for a third consecutive gold, and this stage is what dreams are made of. It’s giving me goosebumps thinking about it.
We will give it our all. Let’s see what happens.