Imogen (Immy) George

What makes you different?
I love being part of a team, it strengthens me as a player being able to have the support of others and I like how we can all help each other improve our weaknesses. On the pitch I keep a positive mindset and always communicate positively and supportively as I believe a team can only win if the communication is strong and constructive. From an earlier age I’ve been involved with sport and compete. This has fine-tuned my sporting brain which allows me to respond to feedback and understand complex drills (so I can support other members of the team) and implement these on the pitch. I am also quick to see opportunities in the heat of the game and respond quickly. I’ve been a multi-sport athlete for many years, and I believe this enables me to transfer skills between sports; for example: explosion/power from shotput, footwork from tennis, spatial awareness from football and general fitness from the amount of sport I do in a week. Tenacity and perseverance are crucial during a game, and due to my strength and speed I never give up a chase for a ball or trying to win a ball back in jump back defence. This is different for many others. I’ve seen on many occasions players give up if they lose the ball, but my mentality is that you don’t stopping running, tracking back, fighting until the ball is off the side/backline or back in my possession.

Why do you want to compete in college?
I love sport especially hockey and from speaking to many people, going to America to play is one of the most memorable experiences possible. I’m always trying to get better and improve and taking the opportunity to have coaching from some of the best coaches will not only improve my physical game but also the mental game – I’ll have a better understanding of tactics and how to assess the game. Sport at college in the US is funded significantly more than in the UK, ensuring the athletes receive all round support and coaching. As I am considering a career in sport, this will provide me with a great insight into all the opportunities available in this world, beyond just being a player. In the UK, the academic side is viewed more importantly, whereas achieving a sports scholarship and playing at college in the US has so much more prestige and respect. Sport in the UK is more seen as a hobby rather than the value it has in the US, which is what I want. To me sport has always been a fundamental priority.

College Goals
- Improve the level of my hockey ability and understand what it means to be a fulltime athlete - Play hockey to a high level regularly that then opens opportunities back in the UK after my degree - Be a core part of a successful team - Graduate with high academics to enable opportunities in the future beyond sport - Travelleing, experiencing and participating in a different culture and with different people from all over the world. - To meet and develop relationships with new people both within the hockey network and beyond.