“Stick”ing the Landing: GB Hockey Great Hollie Pearne-Webb Calls Time on Glittering Career
Team GB hockey legend Hollie Pearne-Webb retires after a decorated career, including Olympic gold in Rio 2016 and Commonwealth gold in 2022. Here’s how she left her mark on the pitch.
Hollie Pearne-Webb Retires: An Olympian Who Really Stuck the Landing
After 274 international appearances, an Olympic gold medal, and more full-blooded tackles than an England-Australia Ashes series, Hollie Pearne-Webb is hanging up the shin guards and retiring from international hockey.
The 34-year-old skipper, best known for slotting that gold medal-winning shootout goal against the Netherlands in Rio 2016, leaves behind a legacy as long as a penalty corner set play.
Career Stats Snapshot – Pearne-Webb’s Glorious Run
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| National Teams | England & Great Britain |
| Total Caps | 274 |
| Olympic Medals | Gold (2016), Bronze (2020) |
| Commonwealth Medals | Gold (2022 – Birmingham) |
| Debut Year | 2013 |
| Olympic Appearances | 3 (Rio, Tokyo, Paris) |
| Favourite Quote | “It’s been the honour of a lifetime.” |
The Golden Moment: Rio 2016
If you’re the type who forgets to record your team’s penalty shootouts to avoid stress, Pearne-Webb had no such luxury in Rio. She coolly stepped up against the Dutch – the reigning champs and field hockey royalty – and smacked the winning goal home.
The result? GB’s first-ever Olympic women’s hockey gold and a front-row seat in British sport folklore.
“What started as a dream when I was just eight… became a journey greater than I could have imagined.” — Hollie Pearne-Webb
Captain Courageous
Pearne-Webb took over the captain’s armband and led the squad through highs, heartbreaks, and a pandemic. Under her leadership:
- GB bagged bronze in Tokyo 2020 after a nail-biter 4-3 win over India.
- England clinched their first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, beating Australia on home soil.
- She walked the team out in Paris 2024, a memory she said she’d “never forget.”
Exit Interview (Not Really, But Close Enough)
“Captaining this team at two Olympic Games and a home Commonwealth Games has been an immense privilege… I’ll always be proud to have worn the shirt.”
And with that, the curtain falls on a brilliant career. No farewell tour, no Netflix docuseries (yet) — just class, grit, and a lot of proud Brits watching from the stands.
What’s Next?
She hasn’t said what’s coming next, but if Pearne-Webb brings the same composure and steel she showed on the pitch, we wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up coaching the next generation, or running Hockey UK. Either way, we reckon she’s earned a few quiet weekends watching from the sidelines.
Final Whistle
In the end, Hollie’s story proves that eight-year-old dreams can grow into Olympic glory, national pride, and a few fairytale flicks into the net.
Here’s to a career that truly sticks out in the best way.
