- author, Connor Bennett
- role, BBC News, Suffolk
The 41-year-old vice principal said he couldn't believe his eyes when he was selected for the England hockey team.
Lucy Field, from Brome in Suffolk, plays for Harleston Magpies hockey club and works at Harleston Sancroft Academy, on the Suffolk-Norfolk border.
She has been selected to represent England's Over-40 Masters team at the World Cup in South Africa in October.
In addition to juggling her work and family life, she self-funds her own expenses to attend competitions.
“I can't believe my name is on the back of the England shirt, I can't even believe it myself,” Field explained.
“One of the most special feelings is walking alongside a team of strong, independent and inspiring women. We are all in similar situations and feel incredibly lucky and proud to be doing what we do.”
Ms Field tried out for the World Cup team along with 60 other women in Telford, Shropshire, earlier this year.
Although she has played for England before, this will be her first World Cup.
She said the ordeal had been “tough,” but there was “no other feeling like working hard for something and achieving it.”
She said it's “not easy” to continue competing at the highest level while working and raising a child.
“The guilt of being a mom and working full time can take a toll on me sometimes,” she explained.
“But I have an incredibly supportive family around me who are helping me achieve my dreams.
“My kids are really proud of me and I set a really good example for them.
“I couldn't have done it without the support, and that's not just my family but my hockey friends too, they've all helped me juggle the struggles.”
She added that her colleagues and students have been supportive as well.
Field had to fund her own travels to the tournament in South Africa and has set up a fundraiser to help.
The money will help pay for travel, accommodation, airfare and physical therapy costs, she explained.
'Recovery will be difficult'
Keeping her body intact is another challenge for the athlete, one she says has become even more difficult in her 40s.
“Recovery is much harder and even the last five years are something we take for granted. [years] “I've become more aware of it,” she continued.
“I'm taking much better care of my body now.
“I've become a lot smarter about increasing my protein intake, really thinking about what I'm eating and how much sleep I'm getting, because all of those things help.”
Field said the England team was aiming to win a medal at the World Cup and was carrying out various competitions and training camps in the run up to the tournament.
