Jocelyn Bartram’s parents fly down to India from Down Under, cheer for daughter from stands

Jocelyn Bartram’s parents fly down to India from Down Under, cheer for daughter from stands

The inaugural Women’s Hockey India League may go on for 11 more days, but Michael and Ann, parents of Odisha Warriors goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram, are willing to give it in writing that their favourite Hockeyroo will play in the final.

The couple was spotted rallying behind their daughter during Wednesday’s match between the Warriors and JSW Soorma Hockey Club at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Stadium in Ranchi.

“We are going back to Melbourne only after January 26 because Jocelyn will definitely play the final,” the pair, sporting matching Bartram jerseys, assert in unison.

Ann even has a prediction going. “In fact, these two teams will be the ones playing in the final,” she says.

The couple is put up in a BnB, approximately 15 kilometres from the centre of the action, but they have no complaints. “It’s in the suburbs, really. But a really nice part of the town.”

They will also travel to Rourkela, where the Warriors will take on the Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers on January 19. “Jocelyn’s going this weekend. We will watch her match there, and we will be back here next week,” Ann says.

Although this is Michael’s first sojourn in India, Ann has been to this part of the world before. She was here with Jocelyn when Australia had flown down to play the FIH Pro League early last year in Bhubaneswar.

“Because she was so impressed by what was going on down there, we started (this time) in Bhubaneswar. We went to the Sun Temple and Puri, and then we came up here,” Michael says.

The entire Bartram family, including Jocelyn’s brother Harry, has had trysts with the sport. Michael says, “We did (play hockey), but none of us are as talented as Jocelyn.” Jocelyn happens to be the most expensive Australian in the franchise league, with the Warriors having acquired her services for ₹15 lakh (AUD 26,605) at the auction.

But did the family discuss hockey strategy at the dinner table as well? “We talk about all sorts of things at the dinner table. We do discuss strategies also. There was a lot more talk around hockey when the kids were growing up. I had to start playing hockey to understand the sport properly. So, yeah, I was the last one on board. I am not so good,” Michael quips. Harry, who is a practising vet, had played until the district level.

That Jocelyn’s teammates from the Australian national team, Claire Colwill and Kaitlin Nobbs, are also with the Warriors would make her miss home a little less. “She has known them both for a while, especially Nobbs. She had been in the Sydney NSW squad for a long time. They are very friendly with each other. So, it is good to have her here. Of course, they have been in the national squad also together,” Michael says.