schoolsthatrockHockey Captain. In our popular series about sports captains, Schools That Rock today talks to Yash Singh. Yash is the 1st team Boys’ Hockey Captain of HeronBridge College, Fourways, Johannesburg. Yash today scores the thirteenth goal in our series this year on Hockey Captains from high schools in South Africa and Namibia.
“I started playing hockey at the age of twelve years old. I was in Grade 6. A friend of mine who loves hockey with his whole heart, introduced me to the sport. So I grew a passion for hockey ever since that day.
My favourite professional hockey player is Dayaan Cassiem. He represents our entire nation by being the captain of South Africa’s Nasional hockey team. I really wish to follow the standards and levels at which Davaan lives up to.
The position I am currently playing is the left link position. The positions I have played in the past are left back and right link. The first time I was elected Captain, is this year. I am in Grade 12 this year.
Greatest tasks
One of the greatest tasks of the captain is keeping a calm and level mindset when times get tough during the game as well as lifting the spirits of your team during these tough times. In training you must be able to motivate your team to train with intensity and determination. I would also say that a good hockey player should possess respect, sportsmanship and a lot of determination.
What inspires me every time I step onto the hockey field for a game, is my school badge. I wear it and hold it close to my heart. Furthermore it is my fellow team mates that inspire me every time I step on the field.
The game I enjoyed the most, would be our college Alumni game where we play our school’s all star hockey team. Being able to see so many various levels of skill and talent that our school has produced, is truly incredible. Along with playing against these players is truly a privilege because I always seek new and exciting challenges. I also believe that this is why I would consider it my favourite hockey match ever. It took place in the middle of 2023. On the other hand, the game I wish to forget is my first game of my 2024 season against Northcliff High School. I learnt how unfit I am and this game truly highlighted all my weaknesses and all the areas I need to improve on. Most importantly I learnt how important it is to never allow your team to drop their heads.
Handling pressure
The way I handle pressure during a game is by taking a few deep breaths and constantly remind myself why I am in this team and why I was put into the role of a Hockey Captain. As captain, I also have to motivate my team by clearly highlighting how hard they worked on and off the field to get to where they are. I also keep telling them that it’s okay to make mistakes, but it’s not okay for them to lay on the floor and refuse to try again and learn from their mistakes.
My current top 5 priorities in life are: Family, Education, Sports, Friends and Self-improvement.
My advice for beginners in hockey would be to always face your problems head-on and never run from it. Furthermore, you always have to trust yourself.
Although I do have a great passion for hockey as a sport, I do not plan to continue playing hockey after school, but I will continue to train with my brother. My other hobbies besides hockey is playing volleyball.
My biggest highlight, the last five years, was being elected as the deputy head leader for HeronBridge College.
Should you ask me how I think my coach and teammates would describe me, I would say, respectful. The hockey person I look up to, is the first team hockey coach for my school.
I would love to have coffee with the captain of the South African Hockey team, Dayaan Cassiem.”
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