Spotlight on Callum Bridge

Hi Callum, today you are our focus for our spotlight on series, our readers would love to get to know you a little better.

For those who don’t know, you are a State level hockey goalie, and you have been playing for quite a while now,  can you tell us where your hockey journey began?

Well I’ve been playing hockey since I was 6 years old. I started playing on the field, when I started playing U13. The team had to put a goalkeeper in each week and no-one wanted to do it so we rotated it around everybody so we all could have a go. When I had my go I was told that I was really good at it and I also enjoyed it so I guess it started there.

I believe your dad had a bit to do with hockey as well, has he had a big impact on your career?

Yes he has, I would have been able to be at this level, playing for the state, without dad. He has helped me, along with mum, through the toughest part of playing cause when your 10-nil down you don’t really feel the best and they just help bring my spirits up.

What is the thing that you love most about your sport

To be honest I don’t really know. I guess that it’s an outdoor sport and you can meet new people that love the sport

Have you always played in the same position, is it your favorite.

As I’ve said before I haven’t always played the same position but I wouldn’t really say that it’s by far my favourite position because I enjoy playing midfield when I get the chance but I do enjoy playing in goals.

Going forward, where do you hope for your career to lead you.

Well, I would love to one day represent Australia in the Commonwealth games, Olympics, and the World Cup, that’s the long-term goal but I need to make the state U21s team first though. So yeah I’ve still got a long way to go.

Do you have any advice for younger players wanting to become better, or more experienced in hockey.

To always listen to your coaches because they are there to get you to perform at your best ability and I couldn’t have done any of this without my coaches.

You live regionally, is it hard to get to the high levels of your sport living so far from Melbourne?

It is a little bit but gratefully I have very dedicated parents that drive me to and from Melbourne each week. I couldn’t be able to do it if they weren’t dedicated and help me follow my dream.

We have been doing 1,500km per week with state training but that will drop down a bit once that finishes up.

How much training do you do each week and where?

I start the week of in Ballarat training for 1.5 hours with the WestVic team there, then on a Wednesday night I’m going up to Melbourne to train with the state team for 2 hours, Thursday night is with my local team technique, and I finish the week of back in Melbourne to have another 2 hour training with the state team.

Then I’ve got games in Melbourne on a Friday night which is anywhere from Greensborough, the City or Footscray. Dad picks me up after school and we head off straight away. Then I play 2 games in Warrnambool on a Saturday.

What does a typical game day involve?

I don’t exactly have a set program for a game day.

What are your recovery procedures?

I have an electrolytes drink that I have and I also have something with protein in it after the game.

Have you had any major injuries?

I haven’t had any major injuries but I’ve had a few minor ones like I have had a few knocks on my knee during playing field once but I only bruised the bone.

Anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank Mum and Dad for everything they do and have done for me so far in my career, from driving me to and from Melbourne 2 to 3 times a week to bringing up my sprites after a loss. I would also like to thank all my coaches for helping me and giving me tips.

SWAS has also played a big part in it with the strength and conditioning sessions, Dallas was great last year and I am looking forward to this years sessions.

Thanks so much for letting us learn more about you.