KENT hockey player Mel Clewlow says she is looking forward to chasing domestic honours with Canterbury after calling time on her international career.

The Canterbury ladies’ captain has decided not to play again for England and Great Britain after winning 167 caps and two Commonwealth Games silver medals.

The 28-year-old from Littlebourne admitted the decision was a tough one to make, but said the gruelling international programme was starting to take its toll.

Clewlow, who made her debut against Ireland in 1996, explained: “When I started playing international hockey it was just eight months of the year so you had four months to recover, but now it seems to be 11-and-a-half months of the year, which means it pretty much takes over your life.

“I have to say I haven’t missed playing in the last couple of months and the thought of travelling two hours in a car just to go training no longer appeals to me.”

Clewlow admitted that Great Britain’s failure to qualify for the Athens Olympics may have brought forward her retirement, but she said the attitude of some of her national coaches also played a part.

“I’ve always tried to play to the best of my ability but whatever I’ve done it’s never been enough for some coaches,” she said.

“I’ve been having doubts for the last couple of years and towards the end it had almost got to the point where I’ve gone on the pitch not wanting to play.”

The powers that be at English Hockey have asked Clewlow to let them know if she changes her mind but she says that is unlikely even with the chance to go to a third Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne, in two years time.

“The way I feel I don’t intend going back. I could have hung on for Melbourne but my back has not been that great in the last six months and another two years playing international hockey might have ruined it all together.”

Great Britain’s loss will definitely be Canterbury’s gain as Clewlow will now be available for the whole of the 2004/05 campaign.

Last April the club played in Europe for the first time and Clewlow says the whole squad are anxious to experience that again.

“I’ve enjoyed enjoyed coming back to the club because the atmosphere is much more relaxed than in the international set-up.

“I’d love to win the league and get back into Europe and if we can create a good spirit off the pitch then it becomes second nature on it.”