International debut for Steinhoff Maties’ Glasby : 2016-03-22
In the recent Private Property Summer Series Steinhoff Maties’ Tarryn Glasby made her senior international debut for the national women’s hockey team.
Glasby played her first test against Scotland and scored her first goal in only her second test for her country. One of her biggest moments in the series was in the last test against Germany played at the Maties Astro. She set up the equalising goal with great individual brilliance.
“Making my debut for the national team has been a dream of mine ever since I started playing hockey at the age of 7, so to finally reach this goal was amazing. I felt so privileged and excited to be apart of the team, yet so nervous at the same time,” said Glasby after the series.
“I definitely felt some relief when I scored my first international goal. As a striker it’s important to be able to score goals, as this is the reason why you get selected.”
The Summer Series was against India, Scotland and Germany. The Germans provided the biggest test for Glasby and her teammates. “Germany is such a technically and physically good team that the thought of having to play against them was indeed a scary thought. It was definitely challenging at times, but I have always liked the challenge.”
Glasby will now shift focus on playing good hockey at Maties again and helping the team reach its goals. “One goal is to definitely try and win the Western Province Grand Challenge again. This won’t be easy as we have some tough competition. Another goal is to perform well and do better at USSA this year after making the final last year. And hopefully I will be scoring many goals for Maties!”
As a player Glasby know there much more hard work ahead. “I would just like to continue improving and pushing my own limits to ensure I’m a better player. This will allow me to stay in the South African hockey setup.”
AFRIKAANS
Nasionale debuut vir Steinhoff Maties se Glasby
Steinhoff Maties se Tarryn Glasby het in die onlangse Private Property Somer-reeks haar senior internasionale debuut vir die nasionale vroue-hokkiespan gemaak.
Glasby het haar eerste toets teen Skotland gespeel en het haar eerste doel in net haar tweede toets vir haar land gekry. Een van haar beste oomblikke in die reeks was in die laaste toets teen Duitsland op die Maties Astro. Sy het die gelykmakende doel moontlik gemaak met individuele briljantheid.
“Om my debuut vir die nasionale span te maak, was ‘n droom vandat ek begin hokkie speel het op die ouderdom van sewe, so om uiteindelik die doel te bereik was ongelooflik. Ek het so bevoorreg en opgewonde gevoel om deel van die span te wees, maar was terselfdertyd baie op my senuwees,” het Glasby ná die reeks vertel.
“Ek het beslis ‘n bietjie verligting gevoel toe ek my eerste internasionale doel aangeteken het. As ‘n doelskieter is dit belangrik om doele aan te teken, want dit is die rede waarom jy gekies is.”
Die Somer-reeks was teen Indië, Skotland en Duitsland. Die Duitsers was die grootste uitdaging in die reeks vir Glasby en haar spanmaats. “Duitsland is so ‘n tegnies en fisiek goeie span en daarom was die gedagte om teen hulle te speel inderdaad ‘n skrikkerige een. Dit was beslis ‘n uitdaging, maar ek het nog altyd van uitdagings gehou.”
Glasby sal nou daarop fokus om goeie hokkie vir Maties te speel en die span te help om sy doelwitte te bereik. “Een doel is om weer die Westelike Provinsie Groot-uitdaagliga te wen. Dit sal nie maklik wees nie, want ons het strawwe kompetisie. Nog ‘n doelwit is om vanjaar een tree verder te gaan by die USSA-toernooi nadat ons verlede jaar in die eindstryd gespeel het. En hopelik gaan ek nog baie doele vir Maties aanteken!”
As ‘n speler weet Glasby daar is nog baie harde werk wat voorlê. “Ek wil net aanhou verbeter. Ek wil sekermaak ek bly deel van die nasionale sisteem.”
Hard worker Brodell gets just reward : 2015-11-02
At the recent Steinhoff Maties Hockey Club’s Awards evening Jenaed Brodell was named Most Improved Player of the year in the Maties Women 1st team.
“The award as the Most Improved Player meant a lot to me as I felt I trained hard and the senior players in the team really helped me to keep motivated and keep improving. With players like Illse Davids, Erin Hunter and Quanita Bobbs in the team the intensity was kept high at training. They are extremely inspiring players and that makes it a lot easier to train hard. It was also more of a mental challenge for me as I knew in order to improve I had to increase my confidence,” said Brodell.
It wasn’t the easiest season for the team. “The past year had its ups and downs. Our improvement and progress from the Varsity Hockey series to USSA was unbelievable and our hard work really did pay-off as it was apparent in the way we were playing towards the end of the season. We had a disappointing result in the Varsity Hockey tournament and a young team, but it was a learning curve and as a team we realised that in order to progress and achieve our goals there was hard work to be done. Everyone put in a lot of effort at training. Jenny King our coach and high performance manager Paul Revington really motivated us and as a result our improvement was apparent.”
It was Brodell’s first year with the Maties 1st team. “What I like about hockey is the friendships that develop on and off the field and the way it can bring people together. The atmosphere that the game brings and the feeling that you get when winning and achieving a goal that was set individually and collectively as a unit. Having a goal and working towards it with the rest of the team is extremely rewarding and keeps me going!”
AFRIKAANS
Harde werker Brodell kry haar beloning
By die onlangse Steinhoff Maties Hokkieklub se toekenningsaand is Jenaed Brodell aangewys as die speler wat die meeste vordering gemaak het met die verloop van die seisoen.
“Die toekenning beteken vir baie my omdat ek weet ek het hard gewerk terwyl die senior spelers in die span my baie gehelp het om gemotiveerd te bly en aan te hou verbeter. Met spelers soos Illse Davids, Erin Hunter en Quanita Bobbs in die span is die intensiteit hoog met oefensessies. Hulle is inspirerende spelers en dit maak dit baie makliker om hard te oefen. Dit was ook meer van ‘n geestelike uitdaging vir my omdat ek geweet het om te verbeter moes ek my aan my selfvertroue werk,” het Brodell gesê.
Dit was nie die maklikste seisoen vir die span nie. “Die afgelope jaar het sy goeie en slegte oomblikke gehad. Ons verbetering en vordering van die Varsity Hokkie-reeks na USSA was ongelooflik en ons harde werk het vrugte afgewerp soos dit duidelik was in die manier waarop ons teen die einde van die seisoen gespeel het. Ons het ‘n teleurstellende resultaat in die Varsity Hokkietoernooi met ‘n jong span gehad, maar dit was ‘n leerproses en as ‘n span het ons besef dat om te verbeter en ons doelwitte te bereik ons harder moet werk. Almal het hul deel en selfs meer as hul deel gedoen. Jenny King ons afrigter en ‘n hoë prestasie-bestuurder, Paul Revington het ons gemotiveerd gehou en ons verbetering was duidelik.”
Dit was Brodell se eerste jaar in Maties se eerste span. “Ek hou van hokkie om rede die vrienskappe wat jy smee op en van die veld af en hoe jy as individu deel van ‘n span word. Die atmosfeer en die gevoel wat jy ervaar as jou span wen, om jou doelwitte as individu bereik en die eenheid van die span is alles waaroor hokkie gaan…Dit is my motivering.”
Maties Hockey helped shape Davids : 2015-10-13
After three seasons at Steinhoff Maties Hockey Illse Davids will start a new chapter.
“My time at Maties, even though it was short, I will remember my amazing teammates, the 6am gym sessions, having fun and working hard with amazing student athletes who have helped shape the woman I am today,” said Davids.
Davids was part of the team that won the last three Western Province Grand Challenge titles, the USSA title in 2014 and the Varsity Hockey title in 2013.
“Maties Hockey learnt me the importance of teamwork and that as a Maties player we always play with passion, heart and determination. Teamwork is something that I have valued over my years at Maties. The team has changed over the three years, new players come in and old players exit, what makes a good team is the ability to welcome new players into the team environment, to help them grow and develop the Maties playing ethos.”
For the past years Maties Hockey Club has been a big draw card for prospective students. “I would encourage youngsters to come to Maties for many reasons, besides playing at one of the best hockey universities in South Africa. The Maties hockey team is one of a kind, we work hard on the field and through this create a fun environment where the players are able to grow their skills in a supportive environment. We have a great team vibe and ethos; which we as players create. Youngsters wishing to come to Maties are in for a wonderful experience.”
Davids had a very successful time at Maties. “Wining the inaugural Varsity Hockey title in 2013 is my best memory. This was my first year at Maties, and the team atmosphere was wonderful, we did not have the smoothest of roads as we lost a game and had to claw our way back into contention, but we did it. Beating Pukke in the finals was a wonderful feeling and showed the team’s willingness to graft hard for each other out there.”
AFRIKAANS
Maties Hokkie help vorm Davids
Na drie seisoene by Steinhoff Maties Hokkie begin Illse Davids ‘n nuwe hoofstuk.
“My tyd by Maties, selfs al was dit kort, sal ek onthou vir my wonderlike spanmaats, die 06:00 gimnasium sessies, pret en harde werk saam met ongelooflike student-atlete wat gehelp het om my te vorm in die vrou wat ek vandag is,” sê Davids.
Davids was deel van die spanne wat die laaste drie Westelike Provinsie Groot Uitdaagliga-titels, die USSA-titel in 2014 en die Varsity Hokkie titel in 2013 gewen het.
“Maties Hokkie het my die belangrikheid van spanwerk geleer en dat as ‘n Matie-speler ons altyd met passie, hart en vasberadenheid speel. Wat ‘n goeie span maak is die vermoë om nuwe spelers te verwelkom in die span omgewing, om hulle te help groei en te leer van die Maties-etos. ”
Die laaste dekade of wat is Maties Hokkieklub ‘n groot trekpleister vir voornemende studente aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. “Ek sou jongmense aanmoedig om na Maties te kom vir baie redes, eerstens om vir een van die beste universiteite in Suid-Afrika te speel. Die Maties-hokkiespan is enig in sy soort, ons werk hard op die veld en skep so ‘n ondesteunende omgewing waar die spelers in staat is om hul vaardighede te ontwikkel. Ons het ‘n goeie spangees en etos; wat ons as spelers skep. Jongmense wat na Maties kom, kan ‘n wonderlike ervaring verwag.”
Davids het ‘n baie suksesvolle tyd by Maties gehad. “Om die eerste Varsity Hokkie-titel in 2013 te wen, is my beste herrinnering. Dit was my eerste jaar by Maties, en die spangees was wonderlik, ons het ‘n moeilike begin gehad, maar teruggeveg. Om Pukke in die eindstryd te klop was ‘n wonderlike gevoel. Elke speler was bereid om haar alles vir haar spanmaats te gee.”
Becoming a Matie best decision ever, says Kretzmann : 2015-10-13
Choosing to come to Stellenbosch University and play hockey for Maties was one of her best decisions ever, Bronwyn Kretzmann.
The popular Kretzmann played four seasons (2012-2015) for Maties. She was part of the victorious Western Province Grand Challenge team all four years. She has also won a medal at each of the USSA tournaments including the gold medal last year.
“My years spent at Maties are without a doubt some of the most memorable years of my hockey career. The pride and passion of the Maties 1st team is something I will always treasure to have been a part of. The many tours, trainings, match days and team functions all added up to an unforgettable experience with the team. The years flew by but I will always remember our team gees and the environment we lived in and for,” said Kretzmann.
Having the opportunity to play under former international coach Jenny King and with former and current international players like Hanli Hattingh, Illse Davids, Quanita Bobbs and Erin Hunter have made for the perfect learning environment. “Lessons learnt include ‘I never lose, I only win or learn’; a motto that we carried with us during the one tournament. Every time you put on the Maties uniform you have a standard to produce. To play with everything you have for the teammates by your side and to fight until the end. Making the decision to come to Stellenbosch and becoming a Matie was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have never once looked back. The training and playing environment at Maties is phenomenal, the opportunities are outstanding and the club ethos is admirable. Being part of the Maties legacy is something everyone is honoured to be a part of.”
Kretzmann has definitely played her role in creating some special memories for the Maties team, but she will also take some with her. “Every single year added more and more amazing memories to my time spent at Maties. The club support and social gatherings always ensured a good bond. The Maties team became a family to me. The tough times made us stronger and the good times were endless. I will never forget all the incredible memories shared with this team and will forever cherish the impact my Maties teammates have on my life.”
Her final message to those staying behind: “Keep living the Maties legacy.”
Maties Hockey Last Timers: Half a decade at Maties comes to end for Hunter : 2015-10-05
After five years at the Steinhoff Maties Hockey Club, Erin Hunter leaves with some gold medals, national colours and many memories of her time at what is according to her the best hockey club in the world.
Hunter is one of a few players that have played their last season at Maties this year. Others include Pierre de Voux, Illse Davids, Dave Agar, Brad Logan and Bronwyn Kretzmann.
In all five season (2011-2015) that Hunter was at Maties, the club won the Western Province Grand Challenge. “Of the five USSA tournaments that I have competed in for Maties, we have been in the final four times (2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015), winning gold in 2014. Two of those finals saw us, Maties, absolutely dominate the game of play but then narrowly lose in the 1-on-1 competitions at the end.”
Hunter has been nominated as Player of the Year in 2011 and 2014. “After tearing both of my quads at the beginning of 2014, I received the club award for ‘Crock of the Year’,” she added with a smile.
“My time at Maties will be remembered as the best time of my life. Maties has really become a part of who I am – my blood is maroon. The people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had, all extend beyond the turf and will stay with me long after I leave. I joined the club to become a better hockey player and now I leave the club a better hockey player and richer (not in the money sense) person, with lifelong friendships and invaluable memories. I also managed to get an awesome boyfriend out of it, which is a great bonus too!”
For Hunter the biggest lesson she has learnt at Maties is that there is more to life than hockey. “I don’t mean that I don’t take hockey seriously or that it isn’t a big part of my life, I mean that I have learnt to value a lot more than just hockey. Without sounding too cliché, the Maties Hockey Club is a lot more than just a hockey club. Something else that I’ve learnt from my involvement in the club is that hard work and determination pays off. I came to the club a ‘no one’ hockey player and I now leave the club with a couple of caps for my country.”
And because of all the possibilities at Maties, Hunter wants to encourage those thinking of coming to Stellenbosch to not hesitate. “Maties Hockey club provides you with the training, facilities, coaching and friendships that no other club in the country can. I have a lot of friends who play for other clubs and other universities and not one of them compare to the Maties Hockey club.”
Maties were the first champions of the Varsity Hockey in 2013. “My best hockey memory at Maties would have to be winning this tournament. The event was very professional and after a terrible start on the first weekend, we managed to walk away champions and that feeling will never be forgotten.”
AFRIKAANS
Halwe dekade by Maties kom tot einde vir Hunter
Na vyf jaar by die Steinhoff Maties Hokkieklub het Erin Hunter ‘n paar goue medaljes, nasionale kleure en baie herinneringe van haar tyd by wat sy as die beste hokkieklub in wêreld beskryf.
Hunter is een van ‘n paar spelers wat hul laaste seisoen vanjaar by Maties gespeel het. Ander is Pierre de Voux, Illse Davids, Dave Agar, Brad Logan en Bronwyn Kretzmann.
In haar vyf seisoene (2011-2015) by Maties, het die klub elke jaar die Westelike Provinsie se Groot Uitdaagliga gewen. “Van die vyf USSA-toernooie wat ek vir Maties gespeel het, het ons vier keer (2011, 2013, 2014 en 2015) in die eindstryd gespeel en goud in 2014 gewen. In twee van dié eindstryde het ons heeltemal oorheers, maar in die uitspeel-stryd verloor.”
Hunter is as Speler van die Jaar in 2011 en 2014 genomineer. “Ek het beide my bobeen-spiere in 2014 geskeur en het toe die klub se toekenning as ‘Krok van die Jaar’ gekry,” het sy met ‘n glimlag bygevoeg.
“My tyd by Maties sal onthou word as die beste tyd van my lewe. Maties is regtig ‘n deel van wie ek is – my bloed is maroen. Die mense wat ek ontmoet het, die vriendskappe wat ek gemaak het en die ervarings wat ek gehad het, sal ek altyd onthou. Ek het by die klub aangesluit om ‘n beter speler te word en nou verlaat ek die klub as ‘n speler wat my land verteentwoordig met lewenslange vriendskappe en waardevolle herinneringe. Ek het ook daarin geslaag om ‘n wonderlike kêrel uit my tyd by die klub te kry!”
Vir Hunter is die grootste les wat sy by Maties geleer het dat daar heelwat meer tot die lewe as hokkie is. “Sonder om dit soos ‘n cliché te laat klink, die Maties hokkieklub is meer as net ‘n hokkieklub. Iets anders wat ek geleer het uit my betrokkenheid in die klub is dat harde werk en deursettingsvermoë altyd beloon sal word.”
As gevolg van al die moontlikhede by Maties, wil Hunter aan diegene wat dit oorweeg om Stellenbosch toe te kom, aanmoedig om dit wel te doen. “Maties hokkieklub bied jou geriewe, afrigting en vriendskappe wat geen ander klub in die land kan nie. Ek het ‘n baie vriende wat by ander klubs en universiteite speel en nie een van hulle kan met die Maties vergelyk nie.”
Maties was die eerste kampioen van die Varsity Sports hokkietoernooi in 2013. “Dit is my beste herinnering van Maties. Die toernooi was baie professioneel en na ‘n swak begin op die eerste naweek, ons het daarin geslaag om aan die einde as kampioene weg te stap en daardie gevoel sal ek nooit vergeet nie.”
Women in Coaching: Karin Hugo : 2015-08-25
Karin Hugo
Karin Hugo is a Maties coach and involved with Maties Swimming and Maties Hockey. She has also been a coach for the SA Paralympic Swimming team since 2004.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
“I have to be honest and say that my main love for coaching is driven by the feeling of success. Success can however take on many forms: When my athlete or team wins, when a person gets selected for a special team, when I see players master a skill or an individual come alive in a session or when I see great friendships formed.”
What are your coaching qualifications?
PhD in Sport Science, SSA Level 3 coach and NSCA- CSCS.
Why do you think there aren’t many women in professional coaching?
“There can be a couple of reasons for this. Traditionally, women in coaching have tended to work with younger athletes due to perceptions that they were better equipped to ‘mother’ and nurture than their male counterparts. Secondly, elite coaching jobs have been male dominated which have lead many to perceive women to be less capable. Lastly, low numbers of women in elite sport inevitably mean fewer role models for up and coming female coaches.”
Why would you encourage women to get more involved?
“Women have different life and leadership experiences, something the sporting world can capitalise on. We must remember that women make up nearly halve of our national teams.”
Some of your career highlights?
“Many of the highlights I have experienced are knowing that I have played a part, big or small, in making a dream come true such as winning a medal, reaching a personal best time or being selected for a team. Personally, the biggest highlight for me as a coach has been attending the pinnacle of all sporting events in the world – the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
AFRIKAANS
Karin Hugo is ‘n Maties-afrigter en betrokke by Maties Swem en Maties Hokkie. Sy is ook sedert 2004 die Paralimpiese swemspan se afrigter.
Wat geniet jy die meeste van afrigting?
“Ek moet erken, my hoofdryfveer vir afrigting is om sukses te beleef. Sukses kan egter baie vorme aanneem: soos wanneer my atleet of span wen; wanneer een van hulle gekies word vir ‘n spesiale span; wanneer ek spelers ‘n vaardigheid sien bemeester of ‘n speler skielik in ‘n sessie kliek; of wanneer ek sien hoe vriendskappe gesmee word.”
Watter kwalifikasies het jy vir afrigting?
‘n PhD in sportwetenskap, SSA vlak 3-afrigter en NSCA- CSCS.
Hoekom dink jy is daar nie so baie vroue wat professioneel afrig nie?
“Daar kan ‘n paar redes hiervoor wees. Tradisioneel was die neiging dat vroulike afrigters liewer met jonger atlete werk omdat die persepsie was dat vroue beter toegerus is om “ma te speel” en op te voed as hul manlike eweknieë. Tweedens, is die elite-afrigtingposte gewoonlik deur mans gedomineer, wat die indruk geskep het dat vroue minder bevoeg is. Laastens, het die klein aantal vroue in elitesport beteken daar is minder rolmodelle vir opkomende vroulike afrigters.”
Hoekom sou jy vroue aanmoedig om meer betrokke te raak?
“Vroue se lewens- en leierskapondervinding is verskillend. Dit is eienskappe waarop die sportwêreld moet kapitaliseer. Ons moet onthou vroue maak amper die helfte van ons nasionale uit.”
Wat is van die hoogtepunte in jou loopbaan?
“Baie van die hoogtepunte wat ek ervaar het, is in die wete dat ek ‘n deel, klein of groot, bygedra het om ‘n droom te bewaarheid – hetsy dit is of om ‘n medalje te wen, ‘n persoonlike-beste tyd op te stel of vir ‘n bepaalde span gekies te word. Vir my persoonlik was dit om die room van wêreldsportgeleenthede – die Olimpiese en Paralimpiese Spele – as afrigter by te woon.”
Women in Coaching – Jenny King : 2015-08-13
Jenny King
At Maties Sport there are a number of women in coaching positions. One of the most successful hockey coaches in South Africa is Maties’ Jenny King.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
“The challenge of ensuring individual athletes reach their full potential and bringing a group of athletes together and transforming them into a winning team.”
What are your coaching qualifications?
“I have a SAHA level 3 and have attended a number of FIH courses.”
Why do you think there are not that many women in professional coaching?
“This is a topic on its own. I have so much to say, but here are some of my main points of view. The number of women coaches at international level is minimal. International players are not encouraged to stay in the sport and continue their career as coaches. Women’s involvement at an international level is generally in an assistant role or managerial role. Female coaches operate in a male dominated environment. Women are not seen as less competent in coaching but there is a perceived lack of value placed on female coaches. I also believe there is a lack of visible role models for female coaches. Then women also take on different roles in there social lives (family commitments) that result in a leave of absence from sport or even a complete retirement from sport.”
Why would you encourage women to get more involved?
“Coaching women is completely different to coaching men (aside from technical and tactical aspects). Coaching based on communication, leadership etc. Women are needed in female sport as I believe they are better equipped to deal with the leadership role required of women teams.”
Some of your career highlights?
“Any league or tournament win over the years have been a highlight as I believe your career starts again at the beginning of a new season. You are only as good as your season performances and team growth, so every WP league win, USSA trophy and Varsity Sport trophy is a highlight. International highlights will be the two silver medals achieved at Champs Challenge tournaments in 2005 and 2009.”
Jenny King
Maties het ‘n aantal vroue in afrigtingposisies. Een van Suid-Afrika se mees suksesvolle hokkieafrigters is Maties se Jenny King.
Wat geniet jy die meeste van afrigting?
“Die uitdaging om te verseker dat individuele atlete hul volle potensiaal bereik en om ‘n groep atlete saam te bring en hulle in ‘n wenspan te omskep.”
Watter afrigtingkwalifikasies het jy?
Ek het ‘n SAHA vlak 3-sertifikaat en het ‘n hele aantal FIH-kursusse bygewoon.”
Hoekom dink jy is daar nie baie vroue wat nie professioneel afrig nie?
“Dit is ‘n onderwerp op sy eie. Ek het soveel om te sê, maar hier is ‘n paar van my hoof standpunte. Die aantal vroulike afrigters op internasionale vlak is minimaal. Spelers wat internasionaal deelneem word nie aangemoedig om hul loopbaan as afrigter voort te sit nie. Vroue se rol op internasionale vlak is in die algemeen as hulpafrigter of in ‘n bestuursrol. Vroulike afrigters tree op in ‘n manlik-gedomineerde omgewing. Vroue word nie noodwendig gesien as minder bekwaam nie, maar daar word in die algemeen ‘n mindere waarde op vroulike afrigters geplaas. Ek glo ook daar is ‘n gebrek aan rolmodelle vir vroulike afrigters na wie hulle kan opkyk. Dan vervul vroue ook ander rolle in hul sosiale lewe – soos gesinsverpligtinge – wat veroorsaak dat hulle tyd wegneem van die sport en selfs heeltemal uit sport tree.”
Hoekom sou jy vroue aanmoedig om meer betrokke te raak?
Om vroue af te rig is heeltemal anders as om mans af te rig – behalwe die tegniese en taktiese aspekte. Dit is afrigting gegrond op kommunikasie en leierskap. Vroulike afrigters is nodig in vrouesport want ek glo hulle is beter toegerus om die leierskaprol in vrouespanne te hanteer.”
Sommige van jou loopbaan se hoogtepunte?
“Enige liga- of toernooiwen oor die jare is ‘n hoogtepunt. Ek glo jou loopbaan begin elke nuwe seisoen van voor af. Jy is net so goed soos jou seisoen se prestasies en jou span se groei. Dus, elke WP-ligawen, USSA-trofee en Varsity Sport-trofee is ‘n hoogtepunt. Internasionale hoogtepunte sal wees die twee silwermedaljes verwerf by kampioenuitdaagtoernooie in 2005 en 2009.”
Maties HP Player/Athlete Profile: Quanita Bobbs : 2015-06-01
Quanita Bobbs
This is the second in a series on profiles of MHP Athletes/Players.
Bobbs a proud Matie
Since joining the Steinhoff Maties Hockey Club, Quanita Bobbs has been going from strength to strength.
As a junior Bobbs played for the South African team at the Youth Olympics. She started her career for Maties first team in 2012. Since then she has played for the SA u21 team at the Junior World Cup in 2013 and in 2014 played at both the Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Bobbs, a former Wynberg Girls High School learner, is currently a fourth year student at the Stellenbosch University. She is studying a Bcom in Management Sciences. In 2013 she was Maties Sportwoman of the Year. “To balance hockey and studies I have to use my time off the pitch wisely. I try and get lots of help from friends who study with me to get notes and help me catch up valuable class time that I have missed. But basically I try and stay on top of the work and give myself enough time to study all the work without putting unnecessary pressure on myself. It does take lots of sacrifice and late nights!”
Bobbs made her debut for the national team at the 2012 Champions Challenge in Ireland. And since then she has become a regular member in the team.
This year will be another big season for the Matie student. Bobbs was a key player for her team in the Varsity Hockey tournament. The Maties were the defending champions from 2013, but this year managed a fourth place. Maties are also the defending USSA and Western Province Grand Challenge champions. The WPGC is underway and Maties are after the first few rounds undefeated. The USSA Championships is from 28 June to 4 July in Pietermaritzburg. Maties will be gunning for title number 18 and Bobbs will be playing an integral part in this. “Playing for Maties is invaluable to me, I am appreciative of the coaching and training I get with the club. They support me to become the best hockey player I can be. It’s an honour to play for Maties and to be a Matie!”
Bobbs is one of four Maties Women players in the current South African Women’s team. The others are Illse Davids, Erin Hunter and Jade Mayne.
“I want to be part of the national team that will participate in the World League tournament in June,” Bobbs said earlier this year. Now that she is in the squad her focus will be on not helping Maties perform, but also help her country qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio. The World League tournament will be part of the qualification process for the team to qualify for the Olympics. The Olympic Games is the only platform Bobbs has not represented her country yet.
MHP Player/Athlete Profile: Erin Hunter : 2015-05-28
Erin Hunter
This is the first in a series on profiles of MHP Athletes/Players.
Erin Hunter has been playing for Steinhoff Maties first team since 2011. She has represented the South African u21 team for three years from 2011 to 2013.
The former learner from Rand Park High School in Randburg, Johannesburg has played provincial hockey at all age groups and on a senior level.
In 2014 Hunter graduated with a BSc Chemistry and Polymer Science with mathematics at third year level and currently she is doing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) also at the Stellenbosch University.
Hunter made her senior national debut on 18 January 2014 against the best team in the world, Holland. Sadly she got injured when she tore both quad muscles in the game and was out for about five months. She did manage to get 12 since recovering from her injury though.
Hunter was a key member of the Maties team that finished fourth at the Varsity Hockey Tournament. Maties are also the current USSA champions. She was also part of the Maties team who has won the Western Province Grand Challenge title for the past few years.
Along with achieving more success with Maties in the 2015 season, Hunter has her eye on a spot on the national team as well. Hunter hopes to make the squad for the World League tournament in June. She will be focused on securing her permanent place in the national team to get her first taste of the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
Hunter has been chosen for the SA team for the World League.
Strong start to Varsity Hockey : 2015-05-07
Steinhoff Maties Hockey women made a strong start to the defence of their Varsity Hockey title.
This past weekend the action took place in Potchestroom. Four games were played on four consecutive days. Maties won three of these four matches and are currently third overall behind the undefeated Tuks and Kovsies. “The Varsity Sport competition has again proved that it is one of the most fiercely contested tournaments on the hockey calendar. There are five teams all competing for a semi-final berth, and as expected there is little between the five teams,” said coach Jenny King.
Maties started the weekend by beating Wits 3-0, before going down to Kovsies on day two. Then came the comeback against NMMU (6-0) and the last match was against home team Pukke (1-0). The loss against Kovsies was the biggest disappointment of the weekend. “I am glad that we got 13 points from the weekend and giving ourselves a realistic chance of qualifying for the semi-finals although this is not yet a given, so we still have some work to do.”
Bronwyn Kretzman was Maties’ star player. She was awarded Player of the Match twice and also won the Striker of the Match award two times. Against Pukke goalkeeper Nicole La Fleur was the Player of the Match. “The 7 first years in the team were able to adjust so well to the difference in this competition hockey to that which they experienced at school level. It was a baptism of fire and not one let us down. It was a great team effort with the seniors setting the example and leading the way.”
This weekend the action moves to Johannesburg. Maties will take on Ikeys, UJ and Tuks. “We have two really high competitive matches ahead of us, and a challenge to get the bonus point against UCT, so that will be our first aim.”
Schedule: FRIDAY – Maties v Ikeys at 15:15; SATURDAY – Maties v UJ at 17:00; SUNDAY – Maties v Tuks at 13:30.