Hockey Captains. In our series on sport captains, Schools That Rock talks to Themba Tshutsha . Themba is the captain of Curro Salt Rock boys’ 1st hockey team. Today he scores our fourteenth goal in this hockey captains series for high schools in South Africa.
“I started to play hockey when I was seven years old. I’m passionate about hockey because I started to play this sport at a very young age. I fell in love with hockey during the years and times I’ve played the sport. I experienced so much happiness, love and fun in the sport.
My favourite professional hockey player is Pietie Coetzee. The reason I say, it’s because Pietie Coetzee’s 59th icon goal led South Africa to ninth place in the 2011 Hockey World Cup. At the same time the 59th minute penalty-corner flick goal took her career tally to a remarkable 282 goals in 287 test matches. This is why she was the all-time top score in all competitions.
My current position is CDM. I’ve also played CM and right link and striker. I was appointed captain in grade 6 for the first time.
My team train twice a week. Yes, I do spend time on personal training as well.
Most stressful game
My most stressful game, as hockey captain, was when we played at the Crawford North Coast hockey tournament. At the time my old school Maidstone Primary was in the final against Ashton college. We drew and we went to the penalties which we lost in 2017. The most recent was when the 1st team Curro salt Rock was versing Curro St Dominic’s for the semifinals in the Curro Cup in Cape Town.
My most exciting game was when Curro Salt rock was versing Curro Hazelden in the Quarter finals at the Curro cup. In that one game I had mixed emotions because, as a captain, I was so happy/excited because I was watching my teammates playing outstanding, phenomenal hockey from the sidelines with my coaches. I was stressed and sad because I was injured and I couldn’t support my school infield. I was heartbroken that my injury was going to disappoint my team, my school, my coaches , my family and the whole Curro Salt Rock family from helping them win as the hockey captain of the Curro salt rock first team.
Worst hockey performance
My worst hockey performance was when Curro Salt Rock versed Curro Durbanville. We lost 0-4 because I went to play the game angry at myself and my team because we weren’t performing at the warm up. My team weren’t focused on the prize we planned to accomplish and win. As the captain of the team I was disappointed at myself because I should’ve set the example to my team. What I’ve learnt from this game is that winning starts from your heart, mindset, commitment, discipline.
Furthermore, how hard you set yourself to work, from your team warm ups before the game and how hungry you and your team are for the win by putting 110% more work than the other team. No matter what, you should always keep your head raised high. I’ve learnt this from a very wise , brilliant man, Mr Blignaut, and I’m proud and lucky to call him my coach and my mentor.
Yes, I do watch hockey on TV. The reasoning is the cause of the love for the sport. By watching professionals play, it helps you to improve on your skills an get new ideas that will help you and the team. Yes, I have tried to imitate a pro in our games all the time. The ways I imitate a pro in my games is by the discipline, sportsmanship and skills off and on the field.
Goals
Yes, there are goals I would like to accomplish in the next six months to three years. This year I want to get my hockey colours, find a hockey club to join and make the SA hockey side. Furthermore I would like to raise the Curro Salt Rock flag high in hockey before I finish school and find a good university where I’ll carry on with my passion in hockey. That’ll help me reach my professional goal.
Rank your current top five priorities in life?
- Family
- Education
- Sports
- Health
- self-improvement
I manage my hockey responsibilities and other recreational and non-recreational activities by setting/planning time for each responsibility, having time and making sure I complete and committing to my work during free times.
Should you decide to play professional hockey, what are your goals within three to five years?
- Join a good club
- Create a name for myself in the industry
- Get sponsors
- Become a young role model to young children, teens and adults
- Become one of the best upcoming CDM in the game
Yes, I do have other interests. I have a lot of passion for cricket. I also play soccer and rugby.
Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great hockey player?
- Commitment
- Passion
- Love
- Discipline
- Skills
As the hockey captain, I motivate my team by making hockey fun, accepting everyone is different and each individual will take time to understand a certain move or idea. I don’t use punish failure instead, we find a way to fix our mistakes, create trust, love brother bond with each individual in my team.
Teamwork
I’ve learnt that teamwork is everything. With no teamwork they’ll never be an improvement, a goal to accomplish. Teamwork plays a big role to the team’s success and goals. With teamwork it builds up brother, sister love. It creates family in a team.
The best advice I have received from my coaches:
- Play with your heart
- Put in 110% percent in everything you do
- Don’t ever show fear
- Whatever field you play on it’s our field
- Always have your teams back no matter what
- Always keep your head up no matter what. Win or lose
- When we play the first person we play for is God
- Don’t rest in the middle rest in the end.
As a teammate I would help my teammate to accomplish his or her goal by motivating him or her by putting a lot of time practicing with him or her. Also giving out ideas on how to improve, helping him or her by showing videos on what to do and how you can improve an understand.
My coach and fellow teammates describe me as Loud, Passionate in the things I love, When it’s time to work I switch on, Respectful.
My advice for new hockey players:
- Don’t be scared to make mistakes but always try fix your mistakes.
- Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go your way. As a team we’ll always help you to improve.
- In our team there’s no hate besides love always.
- don’t be scared to share new ideas , try new skills.
Role model
Yes, there is a coach that look up to as a role model. My coach is my role model. His name is Mr Blignaut. I say Mr Blignaut because he is the most straight forward person I’ve ever met. He is a down to earth person who knows what he wants and what he doesn’t want. Mr Blignaut is committed in everything he does and he is the most committed person I’ve ever met or seen in my life. He is always one step ahead in everything he does. Our coach never sleeps, rests until he has reached his goal for each and every day. He lives to each and every word.
Promises he makes even when you know, and he knows it’s impossible. He always makes the impossible possible. Whenever we go out on tours or games he is always there to support us through our good and bad times. Mr Blignaut always makes sure we are safe, healthy and strapped when we have injuries. He is always there when we need help, he is always there for each and every pupil in Curro Salt Rock. He always wants the best for each and every pupil in Curro Salt Rock and he always wants to see us happy. He’ll do anything in his power to see us happy and to lead us to success. He never wants to lose. The only time he’ll accept defeat is when team has put their all on the field.
Mr Blignaut
When he sees that we’ve done more than we can ever do in the game, which I respect because that shows the fight in our hearts and showed hunger on the field. The things I’ll always keep to heart forever in my life is when he told me to always show fight, the number one person we all play for is God, To always keep your head raised high, never rest in the middle, rest at the end. Whatever field you play on it is mine. Own the field you play on. The love of brotherhood, trust he brought /thought to the team. Always be a step ahead in everything you do. Don’t go to bed without reaching your goals for the day. Never allow or annoy one to break the bond of the team. Mr Shaun Blignaut is the true definition of a role model and I’m blessed to have met him and I’m even more blessed to have met and found a role model that I spend time with and see every day at school. Mr Blignaut is my true icon.
Challenges
What do you believe is the greatest challenge faced by today’s sport participants?
It is:
- Failure to reach optimal performance levels in international competitions.
- Poor movement abilities.
- Lack of proper fitness.
- Poor skill development.
- Bad habits developed from over-competition focused on winning.
- Undeveloped and unrefined skills due to under-training.
The professional hockey player I would like to have coffee with, is Pietie Coetzee. Reasoning, it’s because she’s been my number one favourite hockey player that I’ve been looking up too for years. It would be a dream to have coffee with a South African icon.
What excites me the most in life., is my family.
Describe yourself in one word. Passionate
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