Unlike many other athletes, she did not have a break after the London Olympic Games this year.

The 32-year-old from Ballarat went straight on to compete in Poland, and a northern hemisphere versus southern hemisphere tournament in Brazil.

It is only now that she is having a breather from the sport.

“Because beach volleyball is a pairs competition, I’m in a forced time off right now because everyone else is having their break,” Hinchley said in Ballarat yesterday. 

“I hope to play some of the Australian tour in January, and maybe the New Zealand tour as well.”

She could not confirm or deny whether the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics were on her radar.

“All my decisions have to work for my family, so looking further into the future is really difficult. It’s too far away.”

Hinchley, married and with a two-year-old son Arley, said juggling a volleyball career and family was challenging, with many factors to consider. 

“What I do will be dictated by happiness levels, making sure that everyone in my family is getting what they need.”

Hinchley will continue to keep busy no matter her decisions in the future.

Now she is studying creative writing, obtaining a personal training qualification and volley ball coaching at schools, alongside mothering Arley.