Bex Condie retires from international hockey

After 76 caps and five goals in a fantastic Scotland career Bex Candie has reached the decision to retire from international hockey.

Since making a full international debut in 2015 Condie has gone on to represent Scotland at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and at six international tournaments.

Condie said, “It’s been a difficult decision, but I feel now is the right time to retire. I want to spend more time with my young family and enjoy all the things you need to sacrifice to be an international player. I’m grateful for everything playing for Scotland has given me, the highs and lows, the friendships, but now just feels like the right time to say farewell.”

Bex came through the youth system at Scottish Hockey and has been part of the Scotland setup since the age of 17. Moving to Birmingham to play for the University of Birmingham helped Bex progress and build towards being a full Scotland international, and the call finally came after the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Condie explained, “It took a while for the call up to come. Gordon Shepherd spoke to me after Glasgow 2014, it was a bit of a reset phase for the team, and I was to be honest a little overwhelmed to be training alongside some of the all-time great players I’d been watching for ages; people like Nikki Kidd and Vikki Bunce; but it was an incredible experience to join the team.”

A debut came soon enough and it was an encounter with Wales that gave Condie her first taste of full international hockey. “It was even more special because of my ties with Wales,” said Condie, “it was so brilliant to feel all the hard work paying off.

“When making my debut in June 2015 I had no idea it would be the first of so many opportunities to play for Scotland. I just embraced the occasion and gave it my all..”

In 2017 Condie was part of the team competing at the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam and was blown away by the experience of an A division Europeans. It was the first time Condie had played in front of such large crowds and she relished the opportunity to test herself against Europe’s top players.

It built nicely towards Gold Coast 2018 when Condie was selected as vice-captain to play at the Commonwealth Games. There was a last minute fright ahead of the tournament however. Condie explained, “I broke my thumb three weeks before Gold Coast, so it was a really scary time. I was so glad to be able to play and help the team. The experience of playing at Gold Coast was unbelievable – a multisport tournament is really unique, and so is representing Team Scotland. It was such an honour.”

2019 saw Women’s EuroHockey Championship II come to Glasgow with Condie selected in a squad that would win the tournament, and regain their place at the top table of European hockey, in style. The tournament was a special one for Condie, “The home crowd in 2019 was unreal. Scottish Hockey put on an amazing event and to see so many people cheering us on was incredible.

“Gaining promotion was amazing, but to actually win the tournament was really special; I’ll never forget that week.”

Another proud moment was when Condie was asked to be part of the squad’s leadership group in 2018 alongside Kaz Cuthbert and Becky Ward. “We called ourselves Kwandie!” said Bex. “I formed such a great partnership with Kaz and Wardy, and it was so special because they were my idols when I first joined the programme”.

Paying tribute to Condie, Scotland Women’s National Team Head Coach Chris Duncan said, ‘Bex amassed an impressive 76 caps over a seven year period. Following joining the squad in 2014 after Glasgow 2014, she worked tirelessly and was rewarded with her first international cap in June 2015 against Wales. Bex went on to compete in European A Divisions, won the 2019 B Division in Glasgow, represented Scotland in The Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018, and went on to captain the side in an inspirational manner. Her impact on the landscape not just of the squad, but of Scottish Hockey in general, is vast. An individual who had a constant desire to improve and to support and nurture her team mates, she has been a tremendous asset and role model to the group and to developing youngsters in Scotland and beyond.’

‘On a personal note, I am exceptionally proud of Bex and her commitment to our programme over such a long period of time. She has been a stalwart, who consistently gave her all and has made some incredible memories over the period. We wish her all the very best as she moves to spend more time with her family after so many devoted years of service and sacrifice.’

With such a successful chapter coming to a close Condie is reflective and grateful to the team and the people who have supported her to have the career she’s had. Condie said, “I’m known as the hugger in the team, so I’ll miss the embraces. I’ve made such good friends along the way. Fi Semple and Amy Gibson I’ve played with since the youth system, so it’s been lovely to share this journey with them.

“I want to thank my wife, Tina, she has been my rock; her support and encouragement throughout my hockey career has been unwavering, but now I look forward to spending more time with our 7-month old son, Joshua.

“My parents, Ronald and Jayne, and my brother Scott, have been by my side every step of the way. I’d like to thank all my coaches down the years who have given me wise words, and a pep talk when I needed it. To Sheppy for handing me my first cap, to Phil Gooderham, whom during my 10 years at Birmingham University was like a father to me. And more recently Jamie Cachia for reigniting my hockey spark.

“The biggest thing for me was to leave the shirt in a better place. I hope the youngsters in our squad today, and the emerging talent of the future, see how Scotland were and are able to rise to any occasion and compete against teams on a full-time programme. My Scotland journey has been amazing and I’ll cherish it all.”

A huge congratulations from all at Scottish Hockey to Bex Condie on a fantastic Scotland career.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top