Jayde Taylor

Details

Category: Hockey

How did you become involved your sport?

Family move from Perth to Bunbury in 1998, tried a few different sports during high school and ended up choosing hockey.

Do you have a sporting mentor?

No mentor as such, but plenty of people I admire and look up to for advice or help.

Who is your sporting hero?

Roger Federer

Age you started in your sport?

13 (1998)

Age, Weight and Height?

26, 62kg, 163cm

Accreditation's/Certificates/Degrees?

1 unit off finishing my Interior Architecture degree.

What is the reason you continue to play your sport today/motivation?

Competing at a high level, having a healthy lifestyle and enjoying it with friends.

What is your current club?

Westside Wolves and WA Diamonds (AHL)

People that have inspired you not only in sport but in life aswell?

My mum in particular, also my family, friends and teammates.

Great experiences that happened in your life?

The opportunity to travel the world doing the thing you love. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi was an experience I will never forget.

Your Interests and Hobbies outside of your sport?

I enjoy shopping and relaxing when not training and catching up with friends when I have time.

One tip or quote which continues to inspire you?

Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That’s truly about the game, and in some ways that’s about life too. (Michael Jordan)

Family Background and current family?

I have my brother - Travis, dad - Graeme and a half brother - Brendan. I also have my mum - Annette, step dad - Kevin and step brothers Shane and Simon who both have gorgeous wives Chantelle and Leila, also a niece, Mia and a nephew on the way... phew!

Happiest memory?

I have lots of happy memories but hearing good news about friends and family like babies and engagements always gets me a bit emotional these days.

Who did you grow up idolizing?

Steffi Graf

Who has been your most influential coach?

Neil Hawgood (WAIS Coach)

How has playing your sport changed your life?

It has taken me to so many places around the world and I have had the chance to meet some amazing people, it has also taught me some hard lessons and to appreciate the talent we have been given but also that success takes a huge amount of hard work.

What is the greatest advice you can pass onto young players?

To control the controlables and don't worry about the things you can't.

Were you one of the best players growing up?

Not really, I was a late starter so I needed to catch up to those playing around me. I picked the game up quite quickly but had to work hard on many of the techniques and still am.

Training Background(sports, etc)?

I did alot of dancing as a kid growing up, jazz, tap, acrobatics and ballet so I think this really helped with my co-ordination and speed.

Favourite Foods/Type of diet you follow?

Love fresh food, fruits and vegetables. I try to follow a low fat diet and treat myself occasionally, everything in moderation.

Favourite Bodypart to Train plus training spilt(training schedule + fav session)

I enjoy our work capacity section of our weights sessions, about 5-10 mins of maximum output cross fit style. You really feel like you've worked hard after these. I also like our individual skills sessions where we work on particular skills over and over again, practice makes progress.

Describe a typical day?

A typical day during the Olympic year is a relatively early rise (but not as early as other years) a training session on the pitch, breakfast, then a video session. Maybe a small break and then either back to the pitch for a skills session or to the gym for weights. Home by the afternoon or early evening and dinner then bedtime. If we get some time we might head to the beach for a recovery session and we love fitting in coffee time here and there.

Worst injury you have suffered?

A ball being hit straight into my jaw, needed 5 stitches but the ache and bruise was there for days... the scar was then added to a year later by a stick, another 4 stitches.

Sporting/Club History and positions played?

When living in Bunbury I played for the South West Strikers (WA League) and when I moved back to Perth joined the Westside Wolves and have been at the club ever since.

Greatest sporting moment you have had thus far? Achievements to this point?

Winning the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Who has been your greatest rival on the field?

Playing for WA it has always been QLD, so many grand final battles with the Queenslanders. Playing for Australia we have a healthy rivalry with the New Zealanders but we really love beating the Dutch.

What is your favourite movie?

There have been lots a great movies that I have liked, I enjoy a good romantic comedy but do love an action/drama.

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

Success will only come with hard work and to appreciate everything we have because we are so fortunate to be healthy and living in such a beautiful country.

How do you deal with temptation?

I try to avoid being in those situations in the first place, but if I find myself in one I try to think about the consequences to determine the right decision.

What is your favourite music/band/song?

I enjoy dance music, ministry of sound albums and also some top 40, not overly fussy though.

What is your biggest fear?

Losing people close to me, or sleeping through my alarm.

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

I do believe this, but I also believe that you need to enjoy what you are doing. The moment that training becomes a chore then it is time to stop and think about what it is that you really want.

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

Yes, I have failed at many things. You learn from your mistakes so if you don't make mistakes then you aren't learning. You can overcome failures by working on what went wrong so you don't make the same mistake twice.

What inspired you to succeed?

Being able to watch different sports on TV and in particular the Olympic Games, it is as if the whole world stops for those two weeks every four years. I really wanted to be part of that one day so that drives me and inspires me to want to succeed.

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

I wanted to be lots of things, a tennis player, a zoo keeper, a physio, an AFL player, go to the Olympics... the list goes on.

Typical game day routine?

A good healthy nutritious breakfast, depending on the timing of the game we will have a team meeting a few hours before the game. Fit in a snack and drink plenty of fluids through out the day. Organise everything for after the game - towel for ice baths, protein for recovery, shower gear. Then get the uniform, socks, shoes on and bag packed whilst listening to some tunes then head to the game.

What is the ultimate prize for you in your sport and why?

Gold medal at the Olympics, it is where the best of the best play in front of the world for the title of Olympic Champions.

Your Future Goals in your sport , what are goals after you have finished playing?

I hope to continue to hold a spot in the National Squad for as long as I can and to participate in an Olympics, World Cup and Commonwealth Games, helping the team achieve medals at these tournaments. Post playing I hope to contribute back to the sport in a way, unsure what but maybe coaching or umpiring whilst trying to pave my way in the design industry.

What one item can you not live without?

My iphone

People you would like to thank?

My family, friends and coaches.

• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE
• CLICK_TO_ENLARGE CLICK_TO_ENLARGE