By Alex Hoad

Canterbury women's hockey star Jen Wilson says her third Olympic Games selection means more than any previous call-up, as just a year ago she feared she may never play the sport again.

The forward (pictured) was named yesterday (Wednesday) in South Africa’s 16-strong squad for London 2012 – an event which she views as “like a home Games for me” – nine years after moving to Canterbury.

The 33-year-old – who was born in Zimbabwe but relocated to South Africa aged four – is closing in on 200 caps for her country but had feared she would miss out on this summer’s Games.

She said: “I am thrilled to be named in the squad. It means so much to me.

“This time last year I was sitting down with a back injury and thinking about the possibility that I might not play hockey again.

“Getting into the squad depended on rehabbing and getting back to full fitness. The coach made it clear that I would only be selected if I was physically right – my place was never guaranteed.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along often. I have been in the UK for so long, Canterbury feels like my home town and it feels almost like a home Games.”

The King’s School coach was joint top-scorer at Athens 2004 but said of her third call-up: “I think it means more than the others. There are a small percentage of athletes that make it to three Olympics. It is a great honour.”