AN OLYMPIC gold medallist inspired hundreds of people last night when she visited Basingstoke for a hockey festival.

Maddie Hinch, the fearless goalkeeper for the Great British women's hockey team, attended Basingstoke Hockey Club's HockeyFest at Down Grange Sports Complex, in Pack Lane, where she took part in a question and answer session and posed for pictures with hundreds of fans.

Speaking to young hockey players from the club, 27-year-old Maddie told them: "Always believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself no one will."

She explained how she had suffered a number of knock-backs before becoming a successful hockey player, adding: "You have to understand the journey. I got dropped so many times when I was younger. You can look at set backs as the benefit of them, you can look at them as a positive."

Maddie proudly showed off her gold medal while posing for pictures, before demonstrating her hockey skills to some younger players.

It was just a week ago today that Maddie helped make history in Rio when Team GB beat the Netherlands in a tense penalty shootout.

Speaking of the moment the gold medal was placed around her neck, watched by 11 million people in the UK, she said: "It felt like I was in a dream. It didn't feel like it was real. I think I need to watch it back on TV to see what on earth I have just done."

She said the victory had come as a result of hard work.

Referring to her endlessly revised little black book of goalkeeping intelligence, she added: "I do my homework and set it throughout the week and make sure I stay on top of things so I know what players have done over the last three or four years."

Speaking to The Gazette, Maddie said it was great to meet and inspire young hockey players in Basingstoke, adding: "I have done an awful lot of media but this was the best. I was looking forward to seeing the impact we have had. There's nothing better than seeing the younger ones running around with sticks."

She added: "I play hockey for a living and it's the best job in the world."

Basingstoke Hockey Club was one of hundreds across the country to open its doors to new and current players, with the aim of celebrating the social and friendly aspect of playing hockey.

Supported by Notts Sport and organised by Great Britain Hockey, the festival is part of a three week programme running until September 11.

See next Thursday's Gazette for more pictures of the event.