Margot Robbie, known for her role in Wuthering Heights, was once mistaken for a man while playing ice hockey, a sport she took up after moving to America. Born and raised in Australia’s Gold Coast, she dreamed of ice hockey inspired by the 1992 film The Mighty Ducks but could not pursue it at home due to the lack of ice facilities. Upon relocating to the United States, she seized the opportunity to join an ice hockey team and finally live out her childhood dream.
Learning to Skate and Playing on a Mostly Male Team
Despite having little prior experience with ice skating, Margot embraced the challenge. She recalled,
“So I joined an ice hockey team and I hadn’t ever really ice skated before … It was so fun … [It was] well before [the skating training for her movie] I, Tonya.”
She described her early skating efforts as relying on the protective gear to keep her safe, saying,
“It would have been really helpful if this came after that but no … I hadn’t really skated before. I had here and there. A few times maybe in my life. I think I just thought: ‘I’ll just run’ and there’s so much padding that honestly I’ll be fine.”
Margot was one of only two girls on the team, which was predominantly male and co-ed.
Being Mistaken for a Small Male Player and Facing Rough Play
Because of the bulky hockey gear, the male players initially did not realize Margot was a girl. She explained,
“I played in a co-ed team and there was only one other girl in the team. But you know when you’re in all your gear, you can’t really tell that you’re a girl. I just looked like a very small guy …”
She was often picked on by other players who thought she was just a smaller male teammate. Margot recalled,
“Yeah so I looked like a small dude on the team and I’d get picked on. They checked me so hard. But yeah it was great … And then I’d take off the helmet at the end of the game and they’d be like: ‘Oh s*** sorry, I didn’t know you were a girl’.
Margot’s Reflections on Competing Against Larger Opponents
When questioned about whether she ever got into fights during games, Margot admitted her small stature prevented that:
“No, I was way smaller than everyone.”
Despite this, her experience playing ice hockey was enjoyable and allowed her to engage in the sport she loved, even with the challenges of being one of the few girls in the rink.
The Significance of Margot Robbie’s Ice Hockey Journey
Margot Robbie’s story highlights the obstacles faced by women pursuing traditionally male-dominated sports, especially in environments unfamiliar with female players. Her dedication to following her passion for ice hockey after moving halfway across the world underlines the importance of access and opportunity. This background also enriched her preparation for her role in I, Tonya, showcasing her determination to tackle physically demanding roles. Going forward, Margot’s experience may inspire greater inclusion and recognition of female athletes in co-ed sports.
