Hockey Captain. In our popular series about sports captains, Schools That Rock today talks to Leo van der Merwe. Leo is the Hockey Captain of Windhoek Gymnasium’s 1st hockey team for 2024. He today scores goal number 2 in our series this year on Hockey Captains from high schools in South Africa and Namibia.
Leo, at what age did you start playing hockey?
- I started playing hockey at the age of nine.
Why do you like hockey? What made you decide to play hockey?
- I like hockey because it gives me excitement and I like the type and way of sport. My friends embraced me to start playing hockey.
Who is your favourite professional hockey player? Why?
- Paul Litjens. He is one of the top goal scorers in hockey and that influences me to keep working hard because nothing is impossible.
What position are you currently playing? What position/s have you played?
- . I am currently playing defender as a center back and I have always played hockey as an defender.
When were you first elected captain?
- This year, 2024, is my first year as captain.
What, in your opinion as Hockey Captain, is the greatest task of the captain – on the field and during training?
- To always motivate my team and be a great leader towards them. I always want the team to feel comfortable with asking me anything because I believe fixing issues and problems together makes us grow as a family and not just a team.
Tell us what prowess/qualities do you think a good hockey player should possess?
- A great hockey player should have the right attitude, mindset and respect on the field towards any other player. He also has to keep the teams name high. Communication is key and always being confident in yourself.
Leo, as Hockey Captain, what inspires you every time you step onto the hockey field for a game?
- When I get onto the field to play a game it inspires me to keep my team’s name high and to play the best to my capabilities. I do always work as hard as possible to get the best end results.
In your career up to now – which game has been the most fun for you? Please elaborate.
- My best game, in my opinion, has to be the 2022 Belgotex tournament where we ended up in the second place. It was a great privilege to play against such advanced teams and see how our team worked hard together to give the best of our capabilities.
Which game do you want to forget soon? Your worst game? What did you learn from it?
- My worst game was a club game we played and I made almost no tackles and accurate passes. I just wanted the game to come to an end because I had no more confidence in myself. I learnt that I should never give up even though it might not have been the best circumstances.
How do you handle pressure during a hockey game?
- When handling pressure while I play, I normally just tend to calm myself down and take everything step by step. I also focus on doing things right and not wrong.
As Hockey Captain, how do you motivate your team?
- I motivate my team to feel comfortable with all the team players and always having a positive attitude when getting on the field or during practice.
What are your current top 5 priorities in life?
- My five top priorities are: Hockey, school, work, family and social time with my friends.
Do you have any advice for beginners in the game of hockey?
- My advice to beginners is that they should never drop their heads. They must keep going. The path to being a good hockey player is never easy but working hard will give you the results you want.
Do you plan to continue hockey after school? At what level?
- I plan to continue my hockey career as a club player, but nothing further then that.
What’s your biggest single highlight (sport or otherwise) in the last five years?
- . My biggest highlight in hockey is seeing my progress that I have made over the years that have made me the hockey player that I am today.
Do you have any other hobbies/interests besides hockey?
- When I am not playing hockey I like to play squash over the weekends.
How would your coach and teammates describe you?
- My team and coach would describe me as a passionate player who is always striving for good results.
Is there any coach or hockey player you look up to as a role model?
- I look up to Siya as a coach and a good hockey player because he always inspires me to keep going and give my best. He is truly the best coach, hockey player and ref who I have ever met.
Which professional hockey player would you like to have coffee with?
- I would like to have coffee one day with Paul Litjens, a Dutch field hockey player.
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