Ask Olympic hockey debutant Kaitlin Nobbs who the best player in her family is, and her answer is as fast and direct as the jab tackle which has earned her a position as one of the world’s most promising defenders, “Mum still hits the ball the best”.
But she’s quick to add, “It depends on what you value.”
A third-generation Australian hockey representative, Nobbs adds to her family legacy in Tokyo when she takes to the pitch at Oi Hockey Stadium as a member of the Hockeyroos.
The 23-year-old defender follows in the footsteps of her parents, Lee Capes (gold 1988) and Michael Nobbs (1984), her auntie Michelle Hager (gold 1988, 1992) and uncle Mark Hager (1988, bronze 1996).
Her “Nana” June Capes and “Great Auntie Shirley” Tonkin both represented Australia prior to women’s hockey being included at the 1980 Moscow Games.
“Mum was a striker and scored a goal to help the Hockeyroos win the gold medal in Seoul,” she says.
“As for the best player? It depends on what you value.
“Dad taught me all my skills but I’m most like my auntie. She was good at decision-making; not very showy, sets things up - just did the job.”
Growing up in Perth, Nobbs remembers thinking it was pretty cool taking her mum’s gold medal for show-and-tell in primary school and has fond memories of hanging out and playing hockey with her cousins in her younger years.
“Mum was very clear, if I didn't love it, I shouldn't be doing it,” Nobbs says.
“I never felt any pressure, it was only positivity.
“I feel lucky having parents and family that have been there before. They understand how exciting or how tough or how nerve-wracking it can be.”
Testimony to this is the fact older sister Jaimee forged a successful career in figure skating which culminated in her being named as a shadow representative for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
What Nobbs loves most about being part of one of hockey’s first families is contributing to the rich history of the Hockeyroos and women’s sport in Australia.
She acknowledges and pays tribute to the female pioneers of the sport, like her grandmother and great aunt, who built hockey’s profile internationally enabling young women like herself to complete at the Games.
“It's just so inspiring, and to think my Nana and her sister, through to my mum and auntie, have all been part of this story, and now I am too.
“I want to be a really positive part of this history; create my own chapter, it so humbling.”
And while her family won’t be in the stands when Nobbs takes to the pitch in Tokyo, she will have one family member keeping a watchful eye.
Uncle Mark Hager is head coach for Great Britain’s women’s team but with Australia in Pool B and Great Britain in Pool A, the two teams won’t meet until a possible match up in the knockout rounds in the second week.
Catriona Dixon
