Vikki Bunce retires from international hockey

Vikki Bunce

After 206 caps for Scotland and 14 for Great Britain, Vikki Bunce has announced her retirement from International hockey.

One of Scotland’s most exciting players since she burst onto the scene, Vikki has played in three Commonwealth Games; played in two World Cups (outdoor 2002 & indoor 2007); won Gold in the 2011 EuroHockey Nations Championship II; won bronze in Champions Challenge I in 2011; and was captain of the women’s national team.

The decision to retire has not been an easy one for Bunce and she wrestled with the decision for many months, being extremely proud to have been part of the Scotland team. However, now that the decision has been reached she is grateful to everyone she has played with or been coached by in the past.

Bunce said, “There are so many people I’d like to thank. I’ve been playing international hockey since the age of 13 so there have been so many people that have made a significant contribution to my career. I’ve tried to contact many of these people personally but it’s been so hard when you’ve been at it for so long!

“Both my clubs, Dundee Wanderers and Bonagrass Grove, have played such an important role in my development. From an early age I was fortunate to play with so many fantastic players, like mixed hockey at Wanderers with the likes of Niall Stott then moving to Grove to play with players like Pauline Stott, Sue Fraser and Ali Ramsay. It was incredible and I learnt so much from just being around them.

“The effort from all coaches involved at both clubs made me the player I am today, of that I have no doubt. Laterally the opportunity to coach Dundee Wanderers Ladies team as given me a whole different perspective to hockey, and doing it while playing has been a challenge – but one that I have loved.”

Vikki Bunce 1Vikki will continue to play club hockey with Dundee Wanderers but ultimately it’s the challenge of balancing international hockey with work, family and club hockey that has led to Bunce’s decision to retire.

Since the Europeans last summer she has started a new job with sportscotland institute of sport as East & Central Assistant Regional Performance Manager and it has become a main focus for Vikki.

Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd paid his own tribute, he said: “Vikki has been an extra special player throughout her career for Scotland. She has been an asset to the senior women’s team, and was exciting to watch on the pitch whether outdoor or indoor. Vikki is without doubt one of the best indoor hockey players Scotland has ever produced. She will be missed by the players, coaches and spectators.”

Of her many achievements playing for her country, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is a special memory for Bunce. She added: “I’ve had so many great experiences in a Scotland shirt that it’s tough to pin it down to just one. Walking out at the Opening Ceremony at Glasgow was amazing, it still gives me goose bumps thinking about it – the noise was like nothing I had ever experienced and it all completely surpassed what I had imagined. Captaining Scotland in the Indoor programme was also very special to me.”

She was involved in the full time GB programme in the lead up to London 2012, the first time she had ever experienced being a full time athlete. Bunce felt that she learnt a lot about herself and hockey during this time. Progressing through age group hockey was also something that Bunce looks back on with fond memories.

The journey into senior hockey has been the focal point of her adult life and she has centred everything on the senior programme, from family life to work and everything in between. Bunce continued: “Hockey has defined many of my decisions in life and there have been lots of people involved along the way. My family have supported me through thick and thin – my mum has always been so supportive and never pushy, she’s allowed me to make my own decisions and learn from my own mistakes. To Iain and Oscar who have had to deal with life without me around a lot of the time, a massive thank you for the unconditional love and support. You make it all worthwhile.”

 

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