Hockey Captains. In our series on sport captains, Schools That Rock talks to Makwarela Munyembane. Makwarela is the captain of Curro Serengeti’s U13 girls hockey team. She scores our seventh goal today in this hockey series for high schools in South Africa.
“I started playing hockey at the age of eight. I am passionate about playing hockey because I have seen how I have a different attitude about hockey than for other sports. When I play hockey I’m still excited about practicing. I currently play Center Forward, although I have played as a link before.
My favourite professional hockey player is Stephanie Kershaw. Stephanie plays the same position that I play. She also has many great achievements. She has been injured, but continued playing once she had recovered. Stephanie said she had the confirmation to want to be a hockey player at the age of 13 which inspires me.
The first time I was appointed to be hockey captain, was on the 31st of March this year. It was for my Curro Cup Tournament.
My team have at least two training sessions a week. I do not have much time for personal training, as when I am not doing hockey, I have other sports and practice for the Eastern’s Hockey team.
My most stressful game as hockey captain, was a game played on the 31st of March against Curro Durbanville. The opposition being strong as well as trying to help my team without seeming to be bossy. My most exciting game was a night game we played on the 31st of March. It was exciting because it was our first night game. The positive energy we had, although it was cold, thinking of the celebration we would have after we win. We did it immediately promoted to my most favourite game.
My worst performance was, while playing at Easterns, I felt lack of confidence. It was like no matter how many times I play, my head was not in the game and I had no idea what was happening. With that game I learned that when playing hockey, you must be confident and have positive energy.
Any goals I would like to accomplish in the next six months to three years? Yes, now I’m hoping to succeed in the Easterns team and, if possible, get a hockey scholarship.
Rank my current top five priorities in life: Hockey scholarship, Music school, Multiple academic scholarship, Maturing myself, Having peace.
I manage my hockey responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational (academic) activities as follows: I get the schedule of when my practices are and when I need to be there. Then I plan out how to fit in my academics.
I plan on continuing hockey after school. Probably I would love to get my Protea colours. My hockey goals within three to five years is to be able to travel with the scholarship and play in other countries.
Other interests outside of hockey I have is singing and reading.
Strengths I believe I have that make me a great hockey player is passion and positive energy. As captain and being almost the same age as my team, I know how to communicate. Therefore, in some way, I try to give them a boost of confidence and give them the energy of being winners.
What I learned about teamwork from my past experiences in teams, is that we are all equal. As captain I should always except each others’ opinions.
The best advice I have received from my coaches, is that you must go and play at a 110%. When I see a team mate struggling with learning a new move, position or play, I will help her or ask the coach to help.
My advice for new hockey players is to keep going if you get tired. It will be worth the feeling of winning and getting rewarded for your hard work!
Coach Gabs
The coach that currently sticks out the most, is Coach Gabs. She shows that she cares for us.
My view for the greatest challenge faced by today’s sport participants? In hockey I think we don’t have many people who recognize hockey. Therefore we don’t have sponsors who help us travel, due to not being a popular sport.
My single greatest highlight the past five years, is that, although Covid-19 is a bad thing, it might as well have been my highlight. It opened our eyes and made us think a lot about what happens in life.
The professional hockey player I would like to have coffee with is Rachel Dawson. She has said something about the feeling she has when playing hockey. It was similar to my feeling. It fascinated me and I want to hear more from her and what she thinks about hockey.
My coach and fellow team mates describe me as Hyper!
What excites me most in life is happy people and getting what you worked hard for to achieve.
Describe myself in one word? Blessed.”
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