Concussion rules White out of Commonwealth Games

Oldham hockey star Nicola White has been ruled out of competing at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Rio Olympic gold medal-winner White, aged 30, now misses out on competing at a third Commonwealth Games showpiece for Team England.

White explained: “While in our last week of preparation, I took a knock to the head in a practice match and have now been ruled out of flying to Australia with the team due to concussion.

“Unfortunately, the time line isn’t long enough for me to recover and be a certain for performing in Australia, so a decision had to be made, firstly for my health and well-being and secondly for team performance.”

Holcombe forward White added: “Coming back from my ankle injury in January, this would have been my first competitive tournament since last July.

“I have been working hard on getting as fit as I can and building my confidence back on the pitch so I could perform my best hockey at the tournament.

“I was feeling in a good place and ready to go, so I am absolutely gutted to be missing out on my third consecutive major tournament due to injury again.”

After the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games is the biggest multi-sport event around.

White has enjoyed success previously, having won a bronze medal in Delhi 2010 and a silver in Glasgow, 2014.

She recently enjoyed taking part in the pre-event kit and team launch photo-shoot, but now White will be forced to agonisingly sit out the Gold Coast showpiece next month.

White added: “I have very fond memories of my previous Commonwealth Games tournaments in Delhi and Glasgow.

“There is a great pride behind this tournament, for athletes and spectators alike and it is humbling to see this resonate throughout England while competing away from home.

“It is such an exciting tournament to play a part in and it will be a fantastic spectacle on the Gold Coast, though I will now be watching and supporting from back home with family and friends.”

Team England have never won the Commonwealth Games women’s hockey title, and she knows next month’s tilt won’t be easy.

She added: “As a squad we are building momentum and it will be a great challenge for us.

“To date we have never won the Commonwealth Games so it would be a fantastic result for us to achieve.

“Good Luck girls! Wishing you all the best of luck for a great tournament.”

England kick off their Commonwealth Games pool stage campaign with a match against South Africa on April 5 (5.30am UK time).

Read Nicola White’s latest blog entry – ‘My Commonwealth disappointment’ – on her website, www.nicolawhitehockey.co.uk