Jo Pinner: GB Hockey’s Trailblazer as First Mother on the Team

Jo Pinner, a member of the GB Hockey team, has made history as the team’s first mother. Just 21 weeks after giving birth to her son, Josh, Pinner returned to the England fold and became a trailblazer in her own right. She shared, “One of our visions as a squad is to create history, and I think this is a moment in my career where I’m hopefully doing that.”

Pinner’s journey as a mother and an elite hockey player has inspired many, especially other women who may have doubts about balancing motherhood and sports. If GB qualifies for the Paris Olympics next year, Pinner could make her achievement even more impressive. The Olympics, starting on 26 July, would come just over a year after Josh’s arrival. Pinner believes this would send a powerful message to other women, showing them that anything is possible.

Reflecting on her return to the hockey field, Pinner described it as a “hard place to be but a cool place to be.” In September 2023, she picked up a stick for the first time as a new mom. She also played her first club hockey game for Reading. However, Pinner acknowledges that she faces a race against time to regain full fitness. After being away from hockey for 17 months due to a ruptured hamstring and pregnancy, returning to the sport has been a shock to her system.

Pinner expressed, “I probably underestimated the physical challenge it would be. I’ve never felt stiffness or the inability to move like I’ve felt these past couple of weeks because my body hasn’t done it in so long.” She admitted that although she believed she would bounce back easily, the reality of quickly returning to elite training with her team has been more physically demanding than she anticipated.

Pinner’s achievements as a mother and a hockey player would not have been possible without the support of her husband, George, who is a former England and GB goalkeeper. Having been to three Olympics himself, George understands the demands of the sport. Pinner also found support from other sporting mothers, including rower Helen Glover, who is a mother of three. They are connected through a WhatsApp group that Pinner describes as a “safety blanket.”

Seeing other women who have successfully balanced motherhood and sports has been comforting for Pinner. She believes that having conversations about this topic and hearing others’ experiences normalizes the idea of being a mother and continuing to pursue one’s passion in sports. Pinner hopes to show her son, Josh, that he can achieve anything he wants in life if he puts his mind to it. She wants him to grow up realizing the limitless possibilities and appreciating the support of his family, friends, and teammates.

Jo Pinner’s journey as GB Hockey’s first mother has been an inspiration to many. Her determination and resilience in returning to the sport after giving birth have set a powerful example, proving that motherhood and sports can go hand in hand. By defying expectations and overcoming physical challenges, Pinner is creating history and inspiring future generations of women in sport.