Hockeyroo and VIS athlete Rachael Lynch made history on Saturday evening by becoming only the second Australian goalkeeper to reach 200 caps and says she doesn’t see the end any time soon.
The VIS goalkeeper debuted for the Hockeyroos 13 years ago, but had to bide her time to reach the 200-game milestone.
The only other goalkeeper to reach the milestone is Lynch’s childhood hero, Rachel Imison, the most capped goalkeeper in Australian history with 207 appearances.
Aside from the ongoing FIH Pro League tournament, Lynch has her sights set on next year’s Tokyo Olympics which is now less than 500 days away.
“We’re leading into Tokyo and that’s something in my mind,” Lynch said.
“I’d still love to win a gold medal with this team and that’s something I’m passionate about.”
“It’s still a long way off and we’ve got the FIH Pro League which is a really cool opportunity for the Hockeyroos and hockey in general to promote our sport.”
“I’m trying to embrace it and enjoy it but Tokyo is the bigger focus.”
When questioned about her favourite highlight in her career to date, Lynch said there were numerous, but there was one that came to mind.
“I’ve had a lot of really cool experiences in my career, to be able to go to three Commonwealth Games, three World Cups and also an Olympic Games, I’m really proud of that.”
“But the biggest highlight was a moment I wasn’t even involved in when the scored the goal to equalise in the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal match in Glasgow with 10 seconds to go.”
“If I think back to that feeling, it’s one of the best I’ve had as a member of the Hockeyroos.”
“I was standing up the other end when it happened but it was such a special moment.”
“The elation and feeling with my teammates who you work hard with every day, that’s why you play. I loved that,” Lynch said.
Victorian Institute of Sport’s women’s hockey head coach and former Hockeyroo, Stacia Strain had nothing but praise for the 200 gamer and took to her social media account her excitement;
“Wow Junior. To play 200 games for the Hockeyroos what an incredible achievement. Your perseverance has been your greatest attribute. People could look from the outside and say you had it easy, that you had the natural talent but the qualities needed to overcome the challenges and play in 3 Commonwealth Games, 3 World Cups, 1 Olympics. Enjoy the moment and the recognition - it is thoroughly deserved,” Strain said.
