Hockey Captains. In our series on sport captains, Schools That Rock talks to Holoka Leanya. Holoka is the hockey captain of Aliwal North High School, 1st hockey team. Today he scores our thirty first goal in this hockey captains series for high schools in South Africa.
“I started playing hockey at the age of 8 when I was in grade two. I am passionate about hockey because it is what I could say is a God given talent and it is where I feel the most comfortable.
My favourite professional hockey player is Jeroen Hertzberger, former Dutch international men’s hockey player.
The position I currently play is center midfielder. Previously I played all positions and also goalkeeper when I started my hockey career. The first time I was appointed as hockey captain, was in my U.9 year when I was in Grade 3.
As a team we practice three times a week for one hour. As an individual I usually stay behind after practice and I also train during weekends.
Most stressful game
My most stressful game was the Derby against Queen’s college on the 24th of March this year. It was very stressful as most of my team mates haven’t played any hockey match since Covid-19, two years ago. The match took place on a proper astro turf and the result was the ball moved faster. My most exciting match was the match against Cradock on the 5th of May. The team was working together, the spirit was high and we won the match!
My worst experience as hockey captain was when I played a match while I was sick. As a result of that, I could not apply my full potential to the team.
Yes, I always watch hockey on television because most of my role models play in professional leagues. I usually try to imitate the pro’s in a sense of the way they lead and play and the game. The imitation is usually very positive. To be honest, I would see a skill done by a pro and use it against my opponents.
My main goal now is playing on provincial or an international level while still in my school career.
My current top five priorities in life are:
- Having a healthy relationship with God
- Having a healthy relationship with my family and friends
- Matriculating with a very high academic performance
- Staying hockey literate and improving my skills
- Playing hockey to the best of my ability
Responsibilities
I manage my hockey responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational (academic) activities by usually dividing my day in 3’s: 8 hours academics; 8 hours extra mural activities and 8 hours sleep.
Yes, I definitely would like to play hockey after school to an international/pro level. To play professional hockey, my goals will be to evolve as an individual before a hockey player. Building a good school hockey career is at the top list for me and also playing for nationals before the age of 21.
Outside of hockey I play a lot of sport activities such as cricket and tennis. I am also involved in cultural activities such as land service.
The strengths I believe I have that make me a great hockey player, is that I don’t easily give up and that always motivates me to become a better player. As hockey captain I make sure that the team spirit is always high and we do so by singing war cries.
What I’ve learnt about teamwork from my past experiences on teams, is that teamwork makes the dream work and also that every player on the field’s role matters. As a team we always get a game plan from our coach that would be suitable for us as a team. All our game plans work, even in a tough match.
Best advice
The best advice I have received from my coaches is to ‘never hesitate and keep it flowing like the water.’ This concludes that I should not think twice about decisions I make on the field and just relax all the time.
If I see a teammate struggling with learning a new move, position or play, motivation is key. Keeping the player motivated would be the best thing to do.
My coach and fellow teammates describe me ‘as a ball magnet’ but on a personal level they always describe me as an engine that never stops running because of keeping the team motivated.
My advice for new hockey players, is that hockey is a really therapeutic sport and it is good for everyone’s soul. And don’t give up!
Waylen Cicile, my former provincial hockey coach, is my role model because he basically made me the hockey player I am today.
I believe the greatest challenge faced by today’s sport participants, is society and bad influence that causes them to make bad choices that will negatively impact their career.
Sport highlights
My single greatest sport highlights the past five years was in 2019, my last year at the primary school. We had a very strong team that was always motivated and driven by the brotherhood in the team. I was also selected for a provincial hockey team and there I made life long friends!
The professional hockey player I would you like to have coffee with, is Austin Smith. He has a very good hockey background and I feel like he can relate to my situation as an individual.
Spending quality time with my family is what excites me most in life. It is something I always look up for and always appreciate.
If I should describe myself in one word, it will be Yster.
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