Taking a step back from Whanganui's hockey scene

Owner of Revitalise Gym, Audrey O'Keefe (left), and former Hockey player now Revitalise manager Michelle Low (right) starting the morning fresh. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

Michelle Low has been part of the Whanganui hockey scene ever since she can remember but now, due to health issues, she is taking a step back to focus on a new challenge.

The owner of Mouse Trap Hockey Shop closed her Gonville domain store at the end of February and has resigned as Wanganui Hockey's development officer.

But the former New Zealand hockey representative isn't slowing down completely. Ms Low, commonly known as "Mouse", is the new manager at Revitalise gym on Wilson Street.

"I've always liked a new challenge, and I'm keen to start taking papers online to upskill in exercise and parts of the body," she said.

"This job is less stress and less pressure which is what I need right now."

For the past 10 years Ms Low has been working with schools in Whanganui to support hockey. Seven years ago she started a programme with Anna Symes called "Give it a Go" to increase numbers in junior players, and hockey in Whanganui has become increasing popular.

"We would run four 45 minutes sessions for each class over each season and then have a festival at the turf. Kids got really into it and it was a cheap way to get them involved in the sport.

"Hockey has definitely got more popular in Whanganui and that's because its the best sport to get a good run around," Ms Low said.

Ms Low said the programme will still run under the new Wanganui Hockey developing officer Lizzie Hunter.

"We have worked together for the last three years, and I think she will do a good job."

Taking a step back does not mean saying goodbye to hockey all together.

Ms Low will continue to play in the second division Palmerston North league and next month will play in the Trans Tasman Masters series for the 45s age group.