Anita Punt facts for kids
McLaren at the 2012 Summer Olympics
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 2 October 1987 Nelson, New Zealand |
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| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Capital | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005– | Capital | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2018 | New Zealand | 264 | (42) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Anita McLaren (born Anita Punt on October 2, 1987) is a famous field hockey player from New Zealand. She played for the New Zealand women's national field hockey team, known as the Black Sticks Women. She was a key player for her country from 2009 to 2018. She competed in big events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
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Playing Career
Anita McLaren was born in Nelson. She has Dutch family through her father. She went to Waimea College before moving to Wellington at age 18. This move helped her focus on playing hockey for the Capital team.
Joining the Black Sticks
McLaren was first chosen for the Black Sticks Women in June 2009. This happened after the team changed many players. Her first game for New Zealand was on June 19, 2009. She played against India in her hometown of Nelson.
Speed and Achievements
Anita McLaren is known for being incredibly fast. Many people say she is one of the fastest female hockey players in the world. Her speed was so impressive that she even competed in track and field events. In 2013, she won a 100-meter race in Christchurch. She also won 100-meter and 200-meter races at another event in Hamilton.
She helped New Zealand win a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She scored the first goal in that bronze medal match. She also won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Life Outside Hockey
As of 2012, Anita McLaren lived on the North Shore in Auckland. She used to work in retail. Later, she started studying to become a veterinary nurse.
In March 2016, she married Scott McLaren. He is an athlete who competes in decathlon.
Retirement
Anita McLaren stopped playing international hockey in October 2018. After retiring, she started working at King's College in Auckland. She now leads the sports department there.
