Luke continues the Schooling-legacy : 2016-10-31
Being a Matie is somewhat of a family tradition and one that Luke Schooling was more than happy to continue!
First year Matie Luke followed the example of dad Doug, mom Norma and sisters Meg and Kimmi to study at the Stellenbosch University. “I have always wanted to be a Matie. My mom played hockey for Maties and I always wanted to follow in her footsteps. And after watching Maties play in the Western Province Grand Challenge the past few seasons I just knew I had to wear that maroon shirt!”
Schooling is an LLB-student and resident of Simonsberg. “The year has been going really well and I definitely made the right call in what I study and being at Maties.”
The former SACS-pupil not only excelled in hockey, but also water polo. “It is like hockey a family passion with my dad and sisters also having played water polo. But I don’t have any regrets choosing hockey over water polo.”
Fans of Maties Hockey are just as happy that Schooling choose hockey. In the final match of the WPGC this year Schooling scored the winning goal. It was one of a handful of goals the youngster scored in a season, which you could see him grow with confidence and get better every game.
2016 FNB Varsity MEN’S Hockey, Round 4, Monday 09 May 2016, UJ Hockey Field, Gertjie Lamprecht of NWU PUKKE in action with Luke Schooling of US MATIES during their varsity cup men clash on monday evening in Johannesburg Gauteng.
Photo by: SASPA
According to Schooling finding balance between hockey and studies is something of a trial and error process, but he did get a lot of help from those around him. “I get to feed of the players around me in the team and in my res there are various HP sportsman and seeing what they do helps. Having played hockey and water polo at school while focusing on studies as well prepared me a bit.”
Hockey is part of the Maties Sport High Performance Programme. “It was something I have never experienced before. At the beginning of the year I could see the senior guys adapting faster to the intensity. The HP programme helped my game immensely, especially the physical training sessions. The intensity of all our sessions is vital for the success of our hockey. Having someone like Revs (Paul Revington) around is very beneficial and it was phenomenal to experience.”
Schooling added: “The past 10 months have been incredible. Not a single regret. You can’t beat Stellenbosch…so glad to be here.”
2016 FNB Varsity MEN’S Hockey, Round 3, Sunday 08 May 2016, UJ Hockey Field, Johannesburg Gauteng.
MATIES v NMMU
Dylan Swanepoel (c) of MATIES
Photo by: CATHERINE KOTZE/ SASPA