Sarah Thomas (field hockey)

{{Infobox sportsperson

| image =

| image_size =

|name=Sarah Thomas

| caption =

| birth_name = Sarah Thomas

| nationality = British

| residence = UK

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|1|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Aberdare, Wales{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/17618008|title=Thomas bids for Olympic hockey gold|publisher=BBC Sport}}

| height ={{height|m=1.63}}

| weight ={{convert|59|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| country = {{GBR}}

| sport =Hockey

| event =

| turnedpro =

| coach = Jason Lee

| worlds =

| regionals =

| nationals = Commonwealth 2010

| olympics = 2008, 2012

| highestranking = Bronze Medal London 2012

| pb =

| medaltemplates =

| updated = 30 July 2012

}}

Sarah Thomas (born 12 January 1981, in Aberdare) is a Welsh field hockey midfield and forward player, who was a member of the Wales and Great Britain women's field hockey team since making her GB debut in 1997. She was part of the team that won bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Domestic career

Thomas played professionally for Dutch team HC Rotterdam for 8 seasons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/21526517|title=Olympic medal winner Thomas quits|publisher=BBC Sport}} She was voted the side's player of the season in 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/news/alumni/title_210589_en.html|title = University of Exeter}} She left the club in 2011 in order to return to the UK and focus on getting selected for the 2012 GB women's hockey squad.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/17618008|title=Thomas bids for Olympic hockey gold|publisher=BBC Sport}}

International career

Thomas represented Wales at all age groups from the under 16s up to and including the senior national side, whom she first played for in 1997. She subsequently captained the side at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/21526517|title=Olympic medal winner Thomas quits|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/news/alumni/title_210589_en.html|title = University of Exeter}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/17618008|title=Thomas bids for Olympic hockey gold|publisher=BBC Sport}} She was also a member of the GB women's hockey teams, winning 53 caps for the side. She was a member of the squad at both the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal at the latter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/hockey-olympic-medal-winner-sarah-2505366|title=Hockey: Olympic medal winner Sarah Thomas announces retirement|date=20 February 2013}}

Personal life

Thomas has a degree in exercise and sports sciences from the University of Exeter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/news/alumni/title_210589_en.html|title = University of Exeter}} Her dad Phil Thomas has written a book about her and her achievements called 'Tears to Cheers'.

Retirement

Thomas retired from playing for Wales in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/hockey-olympic-medal-winner-sarah-2505366|title=Hockey: Olympic medal winner Sarah Thomas announces retirement|date=20 February 2013}} She then retired from domestic hockey in 2011, and finally from all other international hockey in 2013, stating that she felt content with her career having finally won an Olympic medal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/17618008|title=Thomas bids for Olympic hockey gold|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/21526517|title=Olympic medal winner Thomas quits|publisher=BBC Sport}}