Gemma Flynn facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 2 May 1990 Tauranga, New Zealand |
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| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Striker/Midfield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Midlands | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008– | New Zealand | 246 | (71) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| Last updated on: 15 January 2017 (national) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gemma Michelle McCaw (born Flynn on 2 May 1990) is a famous New Zealand field hockey player. She has proudly represented her country, New Zealand, in three Summer Olympic Games. These were in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gemma McCaw was born in Tauranga, New Zealand. She is the youngest child and only daughter of Rob and Michelle Flynn. Gemma is of Māori descent, connecting to the Te Arawa tribe.
She attended Tauranga Girls' College for her schooling. Later, she studied sports science at Massey University. In 2017, she earned her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise degree from Massey.
Gemma McCaw's Hockey Career
Gemma, known as Gemma Flynn during her playing days, joined the New Zealand women's national field hockey team. This team is also called the Black Sticks Women. She started playing for them in 2008.
Olympic and Commonwealth Games
Gemma played for the Black Sticks in the 2008 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics, and 2016 Summer Olympics. Her team finished fourth at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. They lost the game for the bronze medal.
She also competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the 2010 Games, her team won a silver medal. In 2014, they earned a bronze medal.
Other Achievements and Retirement
In 2009, Gemma was nominated for the FIH Women's Young Player of the Year award. This award recognizes the best young female hockey player in the world.
In 2015, she was part of the team that reached the final of the FIH World League. However, they lost the final game to Argentina.
After the 2016 Summer Olympics, Gemma took a long break from hockey. She later decided to retire from the sport. However, she returned to playing in November 2019. In February 2020, she played her 250th game for the national team. Gemma had planned to play in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. But the games were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, she decided not to compete.
Life Beyond Hockey
Gemma McCaw is involved in several activities outside of field hockey.
Community and Ambassador Roles
In January 2016, Gemma was part of a tourism campaign for the Bay of Plenty Region. This campaign was called "No Place Like Home." She joined other famous New Zealanders like Luuka Jones, Kane Williamson, Ria Hall, and Tiki Taane.
In October 2016, she became an ambassador for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. This means she helps to promote their important work. Gemma is also an ambassador for Sport New Zealand. This organization helps New Zealanders be more active in sports.
Personal Life
In 2013, news spread that Gemma Flynn was dating All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national rugby team.
In 2014, Gemma moved to Christchurch to live with Richie. They got engaged in early 2016. On 14 January 2017, Gemma and Richie got married. They now have three daughters. Their first daughter was born in December 2018. Their second daughter arrived in May 2021. Their third daughter was born in April 2023.
