Hockeyroos’ Rosie Malone has posted an emotional statement after being omitted from Australia women’s squad for the Paris Olympics.
Malone was left out of the 16-strong squad for the upcoming Games, with many also left in disbelief at her axing. She wasn’t named as one of two reserves.
Posting alongside a video which was recorded in May, Malone said: “When I watched it back a few days ago, I realised I saw a girl sitting there feeling like no matter what she did, what she achieved, what she gave back to sport and to the people around her, for some of them, nothing was ever going to be good enough.
“I’ve kept my head down, worked hard and done everything my coaches asked me to do this year, even to the point of changing my natural game ‘for the good of the team’.”
Malone has played at every tournament except one for the Hockeyroos since her debut six years ago.
Malone said that she was “not injured, not pregnant, not battling with any other issues stopping me from performing on and off field” and added that she has “good relationships” with her teammates.
Named one of the five best players in the world last year, she wrote that she could have done nothing more to earn selection.
“What defines good enough? I honestly don’t even know any more.”
Her social media comments followed a post this week from all 19 selected Hockeyroos, barring reserve Aleisha Power.
The single post pointed to a commitment to upholding the values of the Roos and a belief they had fostered an environment of support to cope with the “highs and lows” of hockey.
