Hockey: Smiles and tears as cancer survivor picked for Games

Kate Mahon is off to Melbourne. Picture / Herald on Sunday

Plenty of smiles and a few tears greeted national women's hockey coach Ian Rutledge when he read out Kate Mahon's name among the 16 players to make the Commonwealth Games team yesterday.

"It was huge," said Mahon, whose battle with cancer had threatened to stymie her career.

"It had been a big effort but in the end it has been worth it."

Diagnosed with cancer in January 2004, Mahon immediately took a positive stance, using her sport and the support of her parents to help her through the troubled times.

"I made the choice to stay with hockey," said Mahon as she joined her Black Sticks teammates in celebrating the selection announcement yesterday.

"It has certainly helped me through."

She took a positive "let's get on with it" approach in her determination to battle through the tough times.

Given the nature of the treatment - she did not have to undergo chemotherapy - it was a long, slow process, one which understandably stalled her promising career.

Mahon, 22, a member of the national development squad who represented New Zealand at under-18 and under-21 level, set her sights on a return to full-time hockey by December 2004.

"We thought the treatment would be over by November but it took a little longer," said Mahon, who joins North Harbour teammate Lizzy Igasan in the Games squad.

"While it was not an aggressive form of cancer, it did leave me tired.

"I was fortunate that Ian [Rutledge], the players and other members of our management team were fully supportive. New Zealand Hockey, too, were very understanding."

The big moment came in April last year when she was given the all-clear. Soon after, she played for the Black Sticks for the first time.

"I remember at that time Ian saying to me that if I could show that kind of courage he was sure I could do it on the field as well. That certainly inspired me to keep going."

Mahon, born in Hamilton but now living in Auckland, is likely to follow a number of team-mates and move to Christchurch for what promises to be a full-on hockey year. She has managed to successfully juggle her playing career with her studies.

She has completed a science degree at Massey University and is now looking at post-graduate studies.

That, and another season with North Harbour in the NHL and the possibility of a string of major internationals, will complete a fairy-tale comeback on and off the pitch.

A midfielder/defender, Mahon will claim her ninth cap when she runs on to the turf in Melbourne to play Scotland on March 16.

That, she knows, will be another special moment to share with her parents, friends and teammates in a "feel good" sporting occasion.