Before receiving an invitation to trial with NSR, Victorian hockey player Imogen Bailey never thought about an alternative tertiary pathway involving her sport.
“I don’t think I ever really thought it was a possibility, or anything that was even a potential, so I had never really imagined anything like this could happen,” she remembered.
After a successful trial, and subsequent interview, Imogen had made her decision.
“That’s when it sort of became this real potential life-changing moment, and thought, ‘Why would I not go for it?’
The current University student will be continuing her communications degree at Neumann University in Pennsylvania, and is excited for what the future holds, ultimately hoping for an incredible experience.
“As much as I want to say I know what I want to get out of it, I don’t think I do at the moment. It’s sort of a ‘let it be as it comes’. I feel like if I try and force it to be something that I want it to be, it won’t be what it’s supposed to be,” she admitted.
The hard-working athlete had been preparing for the upcoming USA preseason, expecting a challenge.
“I feel like the training schedule in the states is going to be a lot more intensive, so I’ll definitely have to adapt to that rather than just training twice a week,” she said.
“I’ve been doing extra sessions and things by myself, and honing my skills in. because the season is still on now, it’s been helpful.”
We wish you the best of luck, Imogen! We know you’re going to do amazingly.