Get to know JoJo Blunt !

Continuing our regular features introducing members of our Performance squads, this week we introduce JoJo Blunt from the Ladies' 1st Team.  While not the Captain, it will become apparent why we introduce JoJo first... Read on ! 

Name: JoJo Blunt

Previous Clubs: Loughborough University

Position: Forward

​How did you came to be at East Grinstead Hockey Club:​

I started out in the EG "mini's" at the age of five being coached by two EG Greats – Crems and Linda. From there I steadily grew up the ranks and remember my call up to the Ladies 4 XI – I could not have been prouder. After wiggling my way into the Ladies 1XI I continued to play for my home club before leaving to play school hockey at Wellington College and then onto Loughborough University.

Once time was up at Loughborough, returning to East Grinstead was a no brainer with my Dad having played for the Men's 1XI A LONG time ago and his father Tony long before that. I am extremely proud to follow in their footsteps and to be the only home-grown player currently in the ladies 1XI. Having seen the Ladies team jump through the ranks from Sussex Premier to National Premier is an incredible feat and I cannot wait to be part of the team that makes it all the way to Euros.

Best thing about being part of the 1XI squad:
Despite the questionable banter, getting to train and play with a group of girls who have real ambition and belief for where we can take this squad but at the same time don't take themselves too seriously.

Aspirations for the season:
After a limited pre-season I feel like we are now starting to find our feet and our flow. We have had a number of awesome additions to the squad who have slipped in seamlessly both on and off the pitch; Alex Mautzer in particular has proven to be a real threat in front of goal. With a newfound energy, a bunch of skilful and speedy players our sights are fixated on a top four finish.

Best East Grinstead moment (on the pitch):
I can't think of a specific moment but coming out on top after a fiercely close game is a feeling like nothing else. The games where you leave every ounce of energy on the pitch where you know you've fought as hard as you possibly could for the whole 70 minutes are the games that make the long commutes and rainy training sessions totally worth it.

What sport would you play if you weren't a hockey player:
That's a toughy as there a few. I've recently taken up crossfit as a means of keeping fit away from hockey as I find the gym boring so I'd maybe have a shot at that.

Pre game song choice:
At the moment - Runnin' by Naughty Boy or Let You Go by Chase & Status

A unique fact about yourself:
I used to have a pet piglet.

Advice to a young player starting out:
Be persistent, resilient and don't give-up. Hockey can be a difficult sport to learn at first but once you get the hang-of it, it is fast, exciting and skilful but more than that, getting the feeling of playing and (hopefully) winning with a bunch of mates is so worth the hard work it may take you to get there.