GB Hockey goalkeeper Hinch hangs up her gloves

Maddie Hinch smiling

Great Britain Hockey's Olympic gold medal-winning goalkeeper Maddie Hinch has retired from the sport.

The Loughborough University alumna (Sport and Exercise Science, 2013) wrote her name into hockey folklore by saving all four penalties in the 2016 Olympic Games final as GB Women won a maiden gold medal.

Hinch has enjoyed a glittering career at international level having played 186 times for England and Great Britain after making her debut in 2008 aged 19.

Hinch’s hockey success also saw her awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Loughborough University, alongside fellow alumnae Dr Hannah McLoed (Sport and Exercise Science, 2005), Nicola White (Applied Sports Science, 2013) and Giselle Ansley (Sport and Exercise Science, 2013), who all featured in the 2016 gold medal-winning team.

In a statement posted on social media, the 34-year-old said: “They say that when you know, you know, and I just know. The time is right.

"The 15-year commitment to full-time international hockey, physically, mentally and emotionally has taken its toll, the tank is empty.

"I have always believed that to be the best and to succeed, you have to be 'all-in'.

"As difficult as this is for me to write, I know I can no longer give 100% of me to the number one shirt and so I have decided to retire.

"I have lived my childhood dream and given all that I can give to the badge."

Following a short break from international hockey, Hinch returned to the sport in time for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, helping GB win bronze.

She also claimed an impressive hat-trick of medals at the Commonwealth Games by winning gold at Birmingham 2022, bronze at Gold Coast 2018, and silver from Glasgow 2014.

Hinch was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Years' Honours List in 2017 for her services to hockey.