READY TO KNUCKLE DOWN!

BY LYNDON JULIUS

RYAN JULIUS was born a few weeks after the famous Springbok 1995 Rugby World Cup victory. While many of his peers wanted to don the Green and Gold of the Springboks while emulating Francois Pienaar's men in rugby, Julies tried baseball, tennis, cricket and football before settling on hockey.

Julius picked up a hockey stick for the first time at the age of 13 while attending St John’s Christian Brothers College (CBC) school in Parklands, Cape Town. He credits Reverend Garry Lawrence with introducing him to hockey at CBC and still feels a strong connection to his mentor.

“I haven’t been in contact much with Rev. Lawrence of late,” Julius says. “I do sometimes send him articles and

he will in turn also send me stuff that he comes across. My relationship with him has always been one that leaves me inspired while also motivating me to do better. He always found a way to deal with my energy in the classroom and just directed it straight into sports, which helped me a lot.” He did so well at CBC that Bishops Diocesan College, one of Cape Town’s most prestigious schools, recruited him.

Julius says, “I was very blessed to receive a bursary to complete my Grade 11 and 12 at Bishops. During my time at Bishops, I played firstteam hockey and cricket.”

The Proteas hockey star says his time as a student-athlete at UWC was “tough, rewarding and strenuous”. He is currently completing his BCom degree with majors in Industrial Psychology and Management at UWC.

“My best UWC memory would probably be winning USSA,” Julius says. “We also got promoted a couple of years ago from the C to the B-section while I was captain. Playing in and leading the university team is something that I cherish and is very special to me.”

JULIUS HAS SOME SOUND ADVICE for athletes wanting to further their aspirations on the sports field and academically.

He says, “It was during my time at Bishops that I learned the discipline and resilience that I carried over to UWC. The solution has been to study part-time and play my sport full-time. UWC has been very helpful – they recommended that I study part-time. The university has been influential in my professional career. I studied with students who graduated two years ago but I’m only graduating in May. My journey is unique in that regard.”

Julius’ prowess caught the eye of European scouts and he signed a deal with Netherlands club, Almeerse. However, with more than 40 caps, he regards representing South Africa as among his greatest achievements, especially at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The Games were held in 2021, due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is something many athletes set their sights on, and I was very privileged and blessed to be able to be part of Team South Africa. The process that goes along with that is so rewarding and you always just try and leave the (Proteas) badge in a better place.”

KEENAN HORNE, a long-time friend and teammate, says: “I’ve known him for years, actually since school, and have seen him coming through the South African hockey ranks. From my perspective, he’s a very level-headed boy. He comes from a very stable and structured family environment. He gets along with everyone and has exceptional social skills.”

Horne, a veteran Protea with more than 70 caps, respects Julius as a player too.

“He is tremendously talented and quite adaptable, rises above every challenge that is thrown at him, and is a great guy to have in the team environment,” says Horne.

RYAN’S PARENTS WERE STRONG MENTORS to himself and his younger brother, Myles. Athletes often recount rising above their own challenging circumstances but for Julius, growing up in such a stable environment meant he could focus on his academic and sports activities.

“My parents have always been very involved and helpful when it comes to my decision making. They are my biggest cheerleaders but also my toughest critics,” he says.

THE PROTEAS WERE CROWNED AFCON 2022 champions earlier this year after beating Egypt in Accra, Ghana. The Proteas next faced an uphill battle against extremely strong opposition when they took on India, Netherlands and France in an FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) quadrangular series for the first time. B+G