Hockey Captains. In our series on sport captains, Schools That Rock talks to Karmen Sewraj. Karmen is the captain of Curro Serengeti’s 1st girls hockey team. She scores our sixth goal today in this hockey series for high schools in South Africa.
“I started playing hockey at the age of ten years. I like team sports. Its like you created a family. So it is better than solo sports. When you win or lose you are by yourself, but in your team they are there to support you.
My favourite professional hockey player is Austin Smith. He is a South African National hockey player. I look up to him because we play the same position. I like the way he controls the team due to his vision and how he sees things is really inspiring.
The position I currently play is centre link, but I normally play centre back. The first time I was appointed as captain, was when I was in Grade 5.
Our team has three to four training sessions per week. I also play club, so we do extra training there as well. Sometimes I have fun with my sister and we practice together
Most stressful game
My most stressful game to date was against Curro Hermanus. This was one of the deciding matches if we would go through to playoffs. My most exciting game was against Curro Bloemfontein. We worked so well together as a team and it ended up being successful.
My worst hockey performance was when we were Facing Curro Aurora. We were awarded a lot of short corners and I was unable to score as I did not feel confident with hitting the ball. It ended up costing us goals.
Yes. I watch hockey games on TV because it is fun to watch and I love hockey and watching sports. I learn a lot, especially watching the men play, as it is so much faster. Yes, I try and copy their passing and the speed thereof. I try but do not necessarily succeed.
Goals I would like to accomplish is to be more confident in the D, trusting myself with my skills. I would also like to be someone that the team can count on.
Rank your current top five priorities in life: 1. School, 2. Family, 3. Friends, 4. Mental well being, 5. Health.
Responsibilities
I manage my hockey responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational (academic) activities as follows: because of school often I am under a lot of stress, but playing hockey takes this stress away for me. I will try and do work as soon as I receive it and try not to procrastinate, but it doesn’t always work out so well.
Yes, I do plan on continuing hockey after school. I would like to play for my university. No, I do not wish to play professional hockey.
I do have other interests outside of hockey. I like playing cricket, swimming, tennis and athletics.
The strengths I believe I have that make me a great hockey player, is that I play well under pressure. Furthermore I do have vision when it comes to playing and the outcomes that we are trying to achieve. As captain I motivate my team by having many team discussions. During the discussions everyone is allowed to voice their opinion. This gives them the freedom to be part of everything and important decisions. If someone is upset or not performing at their best, I try and assist by speaking to them to give them a pick me up.
Teamwork
What I have learned about team work from my past experiences on teams, as well as my captaincy, is that it only works if we all trust each other. We cannot have problems with each other off the field as this is brought onto the field. Team work is also respect for each other and that is important.
The best advice I have received from my coaches is, as captain you should remember that you have to keep the team motivated. No matter how you are feeling, you should not show the demotivation.
When I see a teammate struggling with learning a new move, position or play, I will help her if I am able, but definitely encourage her.
Advice I have for new hockey players is that you will not get better if you only practice at school. Do so outside of school as well, and keep going you will get there.
My coach and fellow teammates describe me as hardworking and someone that you can look up to
Austin Smith
A coach that I look up to as a role model, is Mr Pretorius. He brought back the passion and is helping build up our hockey to what it used to be before.
I believe the greatest challenge faced by today’s sport participants is that people often give up easily as they think they are not good enough. Because of this they can get lazy.
My single greatest highlight the past five years, was when our indoor hockey team came second in our tournament.
The professional hockey player I would like to have coffee with, is Austin Smith. I really look up to him.
What excited me most in life was when all the Curro schools came together. We were part of one big community and no one judged you. That really made me feel good.
Should I have to describe myself in one word, it is persistent.
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