‘Am I even going to get through it alive?’: How football led Hancuff out of the dark & into the Brisbane sun

Football is about moments and there was another special one when Hensley Hancuff stepped out onto the field with Brisbane Roar last week.

It was Hancuff’s first professional match. But the 22-year-old American goalkeeper’s journey to that memorable Liberty A-League appearance is one centred on perspective, and overcoming adversity.

“I just really stepped back and I was like, wow,” Hancuff told KEEPUP, reflecting on her performance in Brisbane’s 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets in the opening round.

“Everything I’ve been through and working towards, it’s finally beginning. I know it’s going to be mountains and valleys of hardships coming up but I can finally say I’ve had my first game as a professional.”

To get a true idea of the hurdles Hancuff’s overcome just to survive, let alone, debut for the Roar, you have to go back to 2017.

Hancuff, who actually started doing gymnastics prior to football, had been invited to train with the likes of Alex Morgan and Marta at Orlando Pride before her world was turned upside down. A routine visit to the doctor left the 17-year-old facing a challenge most teenagers don’t go through in the midst of a transition to college.

She underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove two plum-sized tumours from her ovaries. 

After the operation, Hancuff was told she was living with cancer for more than a year.

“Whenever someone is told [they have cancer], you think about your life,” Hancuff, who is on loan from NWSL outfit Gotham FC, said. “You think about the next couple of months and the next couple of years are going to be difficult. Am I even going to get through it alive?

“There’s so many people who pass away from cancer and I am one of the lucky ones who caught it soon and didn’t have it as bad as many other people. I was more focused on just healing my body.

The idea of playing football is what got me through that process. The intent to play again because I never thought I wouldn’t play again. I would find a way to play again. That’s what mentally got me through those months.

A humbling experience

Whatever barrier put in front of Hancuff, she has not only faced it head on but overcome it.

Ovarian cancer and the surgery meant her ovaries were removed. It affected her hormones and diet, with Hancuff prescribed various medications at the time.

Hancuff has well and truly come through that period, with a new lease on life.

“I think it’s hitting me more now the nerves of the game and moment have calmed down. I’ve come so far since 2017. I’m a completely different person and I would go through it all again just to be exactly where I am right now,” she said.

“I definitely had to make the decision when I was 17 about what I was going to do with my life.

“Any 17-year-old that’s presented with having to get over cancer, dealing with that, physically not knowing if you’ll be able to be back on the field again, or how it’s going to affect your body is super scary.

I’m just honestly grateful to be here and be alive. And being in friggin Australia! I mean what 22-year-old doesn’t want to live in Australia playing football, the thing they’ve been dreaming about since a little kid?!

“Never in my wildest dreams did I have to go through all the hardships I’ve been through until this day but it’s definitely put a different perspective on me and it’s just made me grateful for every second I’m on the field.

“Maybe six, seven or eight years ago, I would’ve taken it for granted. Now I’m so humble and grateful to be here, and just so excited to finally move past that part of my life and just focus on my career.”

Hancuff added: “I try to create deeper relationships with people, I try to appreciate people so much more because you never know when someone could be gone. It put things into perspective for me.

“Going through that made me grow up so quickly and I’m still a kid. I’m 22 and there’s still so much for me to learn in the world. But it sparked a motivation and humbleness inside of me that really just wanted to be grateful for everything I was given and worked for.”

The sky is the limit

Given everything she has been through, Hancuff has a unique outlook not only on life, but football.

When it comes to Hancuff and her career, though, the shot-stopper is not putting a ceiling on what’s ahead.

“I just want to see how far Hensley Hancuff can go. I want to see how far that Hensley can go,” she said, with Hancuff adding she is feeling “extremely valued” in Brisbane.

I don’t want to set any limitations or caps for myself. Everyone has these goals to be on the national team, on the Olympic team, win a gold medal to even just being a starter back home in the NWSL and A-Leagues.

“I have all of those dreams and goals, but at the end of the day I just want to see how far I can take it.”