Mycardirect & Maddie Hinch

Maddie Hinch, GB Womens Hockey Goalkeeper, Chats With Mycardirect

Mycardirect is delighted to introduce our first partner, Olympic Gold Medallist and GB Women’s Hockey Goalkeeper, Maddie Hinch!

You may recognise Maddie from the 2016 Rio Olympics when she famously protected GB from the Netherlands during a tense penalty shoot-out. Having defended all four strikes at goal the Women’s GB Hockey team gained victory. Making her full England debut in 2008, she went on to win a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, and saved a penalty to help England win the European Hockey Championships in London in 2015. The Olympic gold was to follow one year later.

Maddie came across mycardirect when finding herself in a tricky situation. Prior to lockdown she was travelling a great deal and required a large car. Lockdown travel restrictions have dramatically decreased Maddie’s average weekly mileage from across Europe to 6 miles. Whilst her previous Audi suited longer journeys, sponsors started dropping off and Maddie questioned whether she could a) afford the vehicle and, b) need the fuel glugging car given her reduced miles. Car subscription now provides Maddie with the flexibility required for lifestyle changes.

We want to support female athletes who have perhaps not received the same level of sponsorship as their male equivalents over the lockdown period. Recently, in the national news we heard from female youth football players who were unable to train over lockdown. Controversy around what constitutes an ‘elite athlete’ has provoked conversation about inequities within the sporting world. After reading this interview with Maddie, we hope you will feel inspired by her sheer dedication to hockey and proactive encouragement for younger generations to follow suit.

“The hockey world is a close family, it is big but at the same time it is well connected.”

Questions:

1. How old were you when you first started playing hockey and how did you get into it?

I started playing hockey aged 13 after joining Hazelgrove Prep School. My dad was in the Navy, so we moved a lot and I was constantly changing schools. When I joined that prep school it was the last term which meant rounders season. I was very dramatic on the rounders field and kept diving around to catch the ball. The PE teacher wanted me to trial goalkeeper in the Winter term. Back then being the goalie was the worst position and seen as a bit boring. Anyway, it turned out I was pretty good so kept with it.

2. Have you had any female mentors?

A lot of where I am today can be credited to my PE teacher at Kings School, Taunton. She was playing National League hockey for Exeter Ladies and took it upon herself to introduce me to the club scene from quite a young age at just 15. When she drove down to training on a Wednesday evening, I would go with her and meet all these current Internationals. The Exeter Ladies coach was also involved in the International setup. She saw my potential and her willingness to let me join her club was a massive motivator. Attending Exeter Ladies really inspired me to achieve the same level as these international players. There are countless people who I have looked up to, especially when I first joined the National Senior programme. The National goalie at the time was one of the best in the world. She guided me knowing one day she would step aside, and it would be me who needed to fill her shoes. The hockey world is a close family, it is big but at the same time it is well connected.

“Our 2016 Rio success has definitely helped evidence how great women’s sport can be. If you look back 10 years or so it was a different story. We are heading in the right direction.”

3. Would you agree that hockey is one of those sports where women seem to be valued on equitable terms as their male equivalents?

On so many levels we are an equality sport in terms of facilities, match time, and current central program. The level of support is equal across the men’s and women’s GB teams but across the board I don’t think it is equitable. We still battle against club elements like the fact that male players are likely to earn a lot more money. There are male only leagues, such as the Indian and Malaysian Hockey Leagues, for which there is no female version. Things are constantly changing; in Holland the current major sponsor is refusing to sign another deal unless the association agrees to pay the men and women equally. It is a big statement within the sports world and shows women hockey players are gaining attention.

I think it probably harder for women to gain sponsorship although women’s sport is definitely in a better place. Our 2016 Rio success has definitely helped evidence how great women’s sport can be. If you look back 10 years or so it was a different story. We are heading in the right direction. In hockey it’s all about you as a player.

4. Do you have any future plans outside of hockey?

In an amateur full-time sport, you give 10-15 years of your life and then it essentially stops. In the last few years, I’ve tried to establish myself as a brand to see what I can still offer to the hockey community. I have launched the MH1 goalie camps and even launched an app yesterday [check out Maddie’s channel to view the app!]. I want to try different experiences like presenting but at this stage I haven’t had the chance to find out what I’m really passionate about outside of hockey.

“Whilst it was a great car, I couldn’t get out the long-term contract and that really wasn’t ideal.”

5. Are you aiming to inspire a younger generation with the MH1 training camps?

We launched MH1 just after Rio because there was a ginormous uptake in goalkeeping. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and share what I’ve learnt on the largest possible platform. The camps do incredibly well and we sell out on almost all of them. Everyone says goalies are the weird ones and no one understands us so it’s fun to get us all together. We do a variety of drills and I do a masterclass in the middle of each day so they get to see me train. The whole idea of it is to inspire others to be goalies. Off the back of covid-19 we launched this app because of the benefits of virtual learning. Everything that I know is on the app and it allows kids to practice from the comfort of their own home. During lockdown you can work on your hand dive, strength exercises, tennis ball drills, and so much more. The MH1 community can help one another.

6. You confessed to being somewhat of a petrol head, how did you become interested in cars?

I think it came from my dad because he has always had a passion for cars. As a family we’re very fortunate my dad has been successful in his job and has had a number of really nice cars. Being around them has fuelled my interest and his indicating to nice cars on the road. I also love go-karting and just generally going fast. If we go on holiday, my brother, dad, and myself are very competitive so we often go go-karting. Driving is just something I enjoy.

7. Before lockdown did you do a lot of travelling for training?

Yes, a lot a lot. For three years I split my time between Holland and England. The Holland season was quite short so I would essentially be there from September to early December and then would go back from late February to early June. Because of all the gear I needed to take I tended to drive over at the beginning of each season. I had a really nice Audi and it was a dream to drive, things like the radar and safety side of it made it a pleasure to drive. As soon as you’re into France it is really easy, the roads are clear, it’s a straight drive, and there’s no traffic. It was roughly a six-hour journey door to door. My original programme required me to also remain committed to full-time practice in the UK. I would fly from Heathrow at 1 o’clock on a Friday, train in Holland Friday evening, Saturday was a day off and we would play on Sunday. Then I would fly back Sunday night and be ready to train in the UK on Monday morning. That’s how I did it for weeks and weeks. I loved being in Holland though as I love what they’re doing with the sport.

8. So, lockdown has changed your lifestyle a lot?

Yes, I now only travel 6 miles a day. It’s really nice, I’ve never had this kind of stillness in my life really ever. Whether it’s as a family travelling for my dad’s career or for my own career, I’ve constantly been uprooted. I’ve ‘lived’ in my current home for 5-6 years but never really spent any time here. Also, I have more time in general because my commute is so short. Life is a bit calmer and I’m enjoying what comes with that.

9. How are you finding your Mycardirect Peugeot E208?

I love it! It is a great little car and really fun to drive. It feels bigger and safer inside than it actually looks. It’s just fun and that’s the best way to describe it. I’m enjoying the electric side of it too. The fact I know I’m doing a good thing for the environment and it’s also a lot cheaper, costing only £4.50 to supercharge the whole car. It’s great considering how much I used to spend on my Audi (£70-80). I’ve had a lot of people in the car park asking about it because no one considers Peugeot as having an electric car.

10. Why do you think subscription works for you?

In this current situation my life has changed quite dramatically; sponsors were dropping out left right and centre, I didn’t know if I could afford my car anymore and I’m hardly driving anywhere so I didn’t know if I even needed the Audi. Whilst it was a great car, I couldn’t get out the long-term contract and that really wasn’t ideal. Seeing the flexibility and easy monthly subscription fee, Mycardirect provided the security others just don’t offer. If I find myself in a different situation I can just pick up the phone and the Mycardirect team can book me another vehicle within 24 hours.

Conclusion

Maddie’s international success and recognition are essential in raising awareness about the high level of sport women play which is both entertaining and commendable. Sports people are constantly changing their routine, moving clubs, driving to different training centres etc. and as a consequence require flexible transportation options. Mycardirect is the perfect flexible solution for people who just want to try a car for a short period of time or whose lifestyles change, meaning they require different vehicles across the year.

We are looking forward to watching some more hockey after lockdown!

Follow Maddie on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/maddiehinch/