E53 - Karen Kennedy, former Irish Hockey international

The Christians in Sport Podcast

Karen Kennedy is one of Irish Hockey's most experienced campaigners, with over a hundred international caps including playing in two World Cups. Having retired from the top level seven years ago Karen is now getting back into playing alongside navigating the challenges that come with being the mother of two young sportspeople.
Danno caught up with Karen in Belfast to talk about her hockey career - including two world cup tournaments - and what it looks like to live out faith in sport as both a top player and now a mother.
(00:00) Intro
(02:50) What does it mean to have your sport and faith connected?
(04:30) How were sport and faith separate as you grew up?
(7:02) How did your parents approach balancing between church and sport?
(8:32) Would you take the same approach as your parents with your kids?
(9:05) International debut in Italy and playing in the World Cup
(11:20) Adapting during the transition to top-level sport as a university student
(12:21) Did full-time study ease the pressure of playing at the highest level?
(15:20) The journey to a second World Cup in Australia
(17:45) How does faith in Christ shape your view of sporting disappointment
(19:16) How long did it take to work out your identity as a Christian in sport
(20:33) What was the transition like leaving top-level hockey
(23:12) What was it like starting to play again?
(25:40) How do you balance work, parenting, sport and life now?
(27:34) Playing in the same team as your child
(29:15) The opportunity of coaching