Kerina Smallhorn

Kerina Smallhorn (born 19 July 1972) is a retired female field hockey player from Australia who represented South Australia and New South Wales in the National Hockey League and was an Australian Under 21 Junior World Cup Team, Silver medalist in Barcelona in 1993. Smallhorn also represented the Australian Institute of Sport with tours to the UK, Spain and Germany in the early 1990s.^[1]

State representation

• 1990–1993 S.A. Diet Coke Suns, Women’s National Hockey League (NHL) Team
• 1990–1993 – Under 21 S.A Team
• 1991 – Captain, Under 21 SA Team
• 1994 - South Australian Sports Institute at Four Nations Tournament

National representation

• 1991 – Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Overseas Tour – England, Ireland, Spain
• 1992 - Australian Under 21 Junior World Cup Qualifying series
• 1993 - A.I.S. Overseas Tour – Germany, Madrid.
• 1993 - Australian Under 21 Junior World Cup Team - Silver medalist – Barcelona, Spain.

Notable achievements

• 1990, 1991 – South Australian Women's Hockey Assoc (SAWHA) - Team of the Year
• 1992, 1993 - South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) - Most Outstanding Aboriginal Athlete.
• 1995 – New South Wales Institute of Spot - Scholarship Holder

Education career

Smallhorn, a mother of two, now living in NSW completed her Bachelor of Education degree majoring in PDHPE and now works as a teacher aiming to pass on what she has learned and experienced from sport. Karina, who has a proud Aboriginal background, identifies her father – the eldest of 11 children – as the most profound influence and biggest inspiration in her life for his ability to rise from adversity and hardship and to provide his children with an education. Smallhorn has stated she hopes to assist every student she teaches who struggles with the concept of physical activity, to be empowered by feelings of success which will lead to positive lifelong outcomes in their lives.^[2]

References