GOM April '16 issue 27

ISSUE 27, APRIL 2016

The ultimate online Sports Magazine!

Marizen MaraiS Working hard, dreaMing big

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

JuLian JeSSoP 5 X naTionaL MounTain bike ChaMPion

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The ultimate online sports magazine

contents Cover story Marizen Marais working hard, dreaming big Words: AB Basson | Photos: Ryan Wilkisky/ BackpagePix

Main FeatureS Julian Jessop is rolling with the big boys Words: Neil Greig | Photos: Neil Greig

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No part of the GAME ON magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored without prior written permission from CAMOUFLAGE VISUAL SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD and/or GAME ON magazine. CAMOUFLAGE VISUAL SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD and GAME ON magazine supports and encourages responsible practices with regards to all sports, activities and the conservation and protection of our planet and all inhabitants.

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BENCH (CONTRIBUTORS) journalism

photography

AB basson

Adapted Sports Fund

Brian lee

BackpagePix

Carli-Ann Furno

Cricket South Africa

Dan Lombard

Deon van der Merwe

Matthew Manderson

Gallo Images

Neil Greig

GB Jordaan

Phumzile Ngcatshe

Ryan Wilkisky SASPA St. Peter’s College Photography Department

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be inspired Words: Dee Hean | Photos: Stock

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Louzanne Coetzee Breaking boundaries and smashing records for SA Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Gallo Images

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Cricket or squash?

Talented Murray Commins can choose his career Words: Neil Greig | Photos: Cricket South Africa

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Ricky Schroeder Proud of being part of the Pride Words: Matthew Manderson | Photos: Deon van der Merwe

DISCLAIMER

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Issue 27, apr i l 2 0 1 6

youth features

Linda Motlhalo Aiming for Rio 2016 Words: Phumzile Ngcatshe | Photos: BackpagePix

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Max Calitz Studying hard, Playing hard Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: GB Jordaan

Words: Carli-Ann Furno | Photos: St. Peter’s College Photography Department

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Varsity Cup A home for experimentation Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: SASPA

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Victor Ngoepe Adding a South African flavour to Major League Baseball

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Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Provided

sport development

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coach focus Sheldon Rostron south african women’s hockey coach

Adaptive Sports Fund NO LIMITS…… Just Life!

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Adaptive Sports Fund

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Ocean Tshimbalanga is creating waves in Gauteng rugby Words: Brian Lee | Photos: Brian Lee/BackpagePix

Tristyn Coetsee Ama-Tuks Shot Stopper Words: AB Basson | Photos: BackpagePix

dance sport dancers are athletes too

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Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Provided

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Marizen Marais Working hard, dreaming big

eunice girls’ high school

Marizen

Marais Working hard, dreaming big

South African women’s hockey player Marizen Marais has represented South African Schools as well as the junior and senior national teams in her sport.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

cover story: hockey

Words: AB Basson | Photos: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

listen to the game on soundcloud interview with mari z en

In 2014, she was a part of South Africa’s squad at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. A student at the University of Johannesburg, Marizen helped the team win the 2015 Varsity Sports Hockey title – they beat University of the Free State (UFS-Kovsies) in the final. This feat saw Marizen join her older brother Neil in winning a Varsity Sports title, as Neil helped the Shimlas claim the 2015 Varsity Cup in the men’s competition. Sadly, Marizen and Neil will not have the chance to represent South Africa in the Olympic Games in Brazil later this year after both the men’s and women’s hockey teams failed to meet SASCOC’s qualification criteria for Rio 2016.

Full name:

Recent Achievements

Marizen Marais

• Represented South Africa at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Date of Birth: 17 May 1996

Hometown: Bloemfontein

High school: Eunice Girls’ High School

• 2015 Varsity Cup winner with the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

• Made her South African women’s senior national team debut vs India in February 2016.

Tertiary Education: Currently a first year Sport Psychology student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ)

social media

Sponsor: Osaka Hockey

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Julian Jessop is rolling with the big boys

South Africa’s junior Cross Country mountain bike champ

Julian Jessop is rolling with the big boys

clifton school

After breaking his back (a compression fracture of T9 and a crack straight through T12) in 2014, Julian Jessop recovered to turn the following year, 2015, into something quite memorable. Julian scored some impressive results in matric in 2015 despite balancing his books at Clifton College with his budding Cross Country Mountain Biking career.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

Main feature: mountain biking

After spending three months in a back brace, and then another three months of intense rehab following his injury, Julian started 2015 quite slow. But it was his last year as a junior U/18 age category rider and he managed to win the South African Cross-Country Championships and the South African Cross-Country Marathon Championships. He also won one of the South African Cup Series, came second in another and third in the other two South African Cross-Country Cups. At 19 he is now racing with the senior men and testing himself against the very best in the game, coming 14th in the World Cross-Country (XCO) Champs in 2015, which signals great things to come.

Full name: Julian Jessop Date of Birth: 23 July 1997 Place of Birth: Durban High school: Clifton School, Durban Sponsors: Specialized SA, Enduren, Powasol and Thue SA

w in atc ter h vi our ew

Words: Neil Greig | Photos: Neil Greig

Notable achievements • Rides for Concept Cyclery Ballito • 5 x National Champion • Junior Cross-Country Mountain Bike Champion 2015 • Junior Cross Country Marathon Mountain bike Champion 2015 • 14th in World Cross-Country (XCO) Champs 2015 • South African Cross-Country Marathon Champion - 2013, 2014 • South African Cross-Country Champion - 2013 • South African Cross-Country Series Champion - 2011, 2014 • Selected to represent South Africa at the 2014 World Cross-Country Championships • Kwa-Zulu Natal Cross-Country Champion - 2011, 2013 • Kwa-Zulu Natal Cross-Country Series Champion - 2011, 2013 • Kwa-Zulu Natal Colours - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

main feature: be inspired

Words: Dee Hean | Photos: Stock

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Louzanne Coetzee Breaking boundaries and smashing records for SA

Louzanne

Coetzee Breaking boundaries and smashing records for SA

Athletics requires dedication and hard work from athletes in order for them to consistently perform and middle distance running is the perfect balance between sprinting and long distance running. Most middle runners are able to see the track but Louzanne Coetzee runs without that advantage as she has been blind since birth. Game On Magazine chatted to Louzanne to find out more about this amazing athlete who happens to be in the world’s top 10 for 800 m and 1500 m.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

university of the free state

main feature: athletics

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Gallo Images

listen to the game on soundcloud interview with Lou zanne

Full name: Louzanne Coetzee

Date of Birth: 18 April 1993

Place of Birth: Bloemfontein

High school: Pioneer High School

Tertiary education: University of the Free State

Achievements: 2014 • Ran three personal best times at the South African National Championship in the 800 m, 1500 m and 5000 m.

2015 • Ran personal bests in the 800 m and 1500 m at the IPC World Championships in Doha.

Finished 7th and 9th in the world respectively.

• Broke African record for 1500 m with a time of 5.18.44.

• Broke World record for 5000 m with a time of 19.17.59.

follow louzanne on twitter

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Cricket or squash? Talented Murray Commins can choose his career

Talented sportsman Murray Commins, the son of former Western Province star batsman and South African Test player John Commins, has for a number of years been a top cricketer and squash player in the Western Cape.

Cricket or squash?

Murray Commins can choose his career

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

main feature: cricket

Words: Neil Greig | Photos: Cricket South Africa

listen to the game on soundcloud interview with murray

However, now that Murray has matriculated from Rondebosch Boys High, he is set for a gap year in England where he will play cricket and squash and aim to forge out a sporting career. A left handed batsman and right arm bowler, Murray (19) has played for Cobras Cubs and Western Province U/19s where he has honed his skills.

Murray has played for South Africa’s U/19 cricket side and just missed out on the final SA squad that struggled to perform at the U/19 World Cup recently in Bangladesh.

Full name: Murray Commins

Date of Birth: 2 January 1997

social media

Place of Birth: Cape Town

High school: Rondebosch Boys’ High School

Sponsors: GM and Dunlop

Honours: South Africa U/19 cricket squad, South Africa U/19 squash

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Ricky Schroeder Proud of being part of the Pride

Ricky Schroeder Proud of being part of the Pride Ricky Schroeder has come a long way since captaining the Paul Roos 1st XV and representing Western Province at all age group levels. Although he is currently playing with the Lions and is part of the exciting renaissance at the franchise, his rugby career has been filled with many highs and lows along the way.

Game On Magazine sat down with Ricky to get a glimpse into his journey as a professional rugby player in South Africa and to find out more about his interests outside, and potentially after, rugby.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

paul roos gymnasium

main feature: rugby

w in atc ter h vi our ew

Words: Matthew Manderson | Photos: www.deonvandermerwe.co.za

university of cape town

Full name:

Position:

Rick Darryl Schroeder

Scrumhalf

Date of Birth:

Teams represented:

5 January 1991

Western Province (Craven Week), UCT Ikey Tigers, Western Province, Boland Cavaliers, Golden Lions

Place of Birth: Worcester, Western Cape

High school: Paul Roos Gymnasium

Tertiary education: University of Cape Town

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Linda Motlhalo Aiming for Rio 2016

Full name: Linda “Mimi� Motlhalo Date of Birth: 1 September 1998 Place of Birth: Brandvlei High school: TuksSport High School Position: Right wing Teams represented: Pharma Ladies Club, High Performance Centre

Linda

Motlhalo Aiming for Rio 2016

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

tukssport high school

main feature: soccer

Words: Phumzile Ngcatshe | Photos: BackpagePix

listen to the game on podcast interview with L inda

Linda Motlhalo is a talented striker who last year graduated from Basetsana – South Africa’s U/20 national women’s team – to the senior Banyana Banyana side.

She experienced the disappointment of missing out on qualifying for the FIFA U/20 Women’s World Cup when Basetsana were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Nigeria – which was an especially disappointing experience for Motlhalo, who helped the U/20 team reach the final stage of qualifying with a brace of excellent goals in their 3-2 win over Zambia. But moving up to the senior side under the guidance of coach Vera Pauw has been a career highlight. Motlhalo is on track to be a part of the Banyana Banyana squad which will do duty at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August, having been a part of the team which secured qualification, as well as a preparatory camp held earlier this year at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto.

Honours • Made the senior national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, in 2015 and helped them qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

• Was part of the Rio Olympic Games preparation intake of players at the Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto.

follow linda on instagram

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Max Calitz Studying hard, Playing hard

Max

Calitz

Pretoria Boys’ High School

Studying hard, Playing hard University of Pretoria

The Varsity Cup has produced many great rugby players with a few of these players turning out for the Springboks.

The eight university teams that make up the Varsity Cup are flooded with professional players who are pursuing a degree. Max Calitz is not a professional rugby player but a student who happens to play rugby. Game On Magazine caught up with him in between his lectures at the University of Pretoria to find out more about him.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

main feature: rugby

w in atc ter h vi our ew

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: GB Jordaan

Full Name: Oskar Jan Maximilian Calitz

Date of Birth: 17 July 1993

Place of Birth: Pretoria

High school:

Tertiary education: University of Pretoria, Bsc Construction Management, Bsc Construction Management (Hons)

Position: Centre

Pretoria Boys’ High School

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Varsity Cup A home for experimentation

Varsity Cup A home for experimentation

The Varsity Cup has always been a competition that embraces change which includes the implementation of experimental laws that are approved by World Rugby and SARU. This trend continued in 2016 when Varsity Cup changed the points awarded for scoring a try. Game On Magazine’s editorial team, Dee and Dan, had a conversation to discuss the implication for South Africa’s most innovative rugby competition.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

main feature: rugby

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: SASPA

game on’ s dan lombard discusses varsit y cup rugby laws and rules

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Tristyn Coetsee Ama-Tuks Shot Stopper

Pretoria Boys’ High School

Tristyn Coetsee Ama-Tuks Shot Stopper

University of Pretoria

Tristyn Coetsee is a professional footballer, currently playing for the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). The 28-year-old goalkeeper comes from a football family; his father is a well-known football coach and educator and his elder brother is a retired footballer who formally played for the University.

The former Arcadia Shepherds and Jomo Cosmos shot stopper joined AmaTuks during the 2007 January transfer window and is as a result one of the longest-serving players in the team.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

main feature: soccer

Words: AB Basson | Photos: BackpagePix

listen to the game on soundcloud interview with trist yn

Coetsee played for AmaTuks in the inaugural Varsity Football Championship in 2013. AmaTuks won the title, beating NMMU 4-1 in Pretoria. Having struggled for game time at AmaTuks in the Absa Premiership, Coetsee finally broke into the starting eleven under Shaun Bartlett in February this year and has begun making inroads.

Full name: Tristyn Coetsee

Date of Birth: 13 December 1987

Hometown: Pretoria

High school:

Achievements • Obtained a LLB degree at the University of Pretoria in 2015. • Currently first choice goalkeeper at University of Pretoria under the guidance of coach Shaun Bartlett.

Pretoria Boys High School

Tertiary Education: University of Pretoria

follow tristyn on instagram

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Adaptive Sports Fund NO LIMITS…… Just Life!

Adaptive Sports Fund NO LIMITS…… Just Life!

Sports for the physically disabled are generally restricted to wheelchair rugby; tennis and basketball. The Adaptive Sports Fund was created to provide accessibility to a far greater number of sports including adaptive skiing, paragliding and wakeboarding. Game On Magazine had a chat with co-founder Jeffrey Yates to find out more about this exciting project.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

sports development: adapted sports

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Adapted Sports Fund

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listen to the game on soundcloud interview w ith asf

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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dance sport dancers are athletes too

dance sport Dancers are athletes too

Athletes are often categorised according to a rigid check list that society has become familiar with. While the skill and athleticism required to dance has captivated many parts of the world, South Africa is still in the process of becoming familiar with the idea of dance as a ‘sport’ and recognising dancers as ‘athletes’.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

youth feature: dancing

Words: Carli-Ann Furno | Photos: St. Peter’s College Photography Department

The Street Dance School Association is an organisation that has recently launched the Dance Sport School League (DSSL), as an associate member of DanceSport SA. Through a league that targets the grassroots of our society, the DSSL provides a formal and recognised platform for the up and coming dancers of our country to showcase their talent. The DSSL has witnessed growing popularity over the past year, and plans to branch into competitions on a regional and national level have been put forward.

Game On Magazine was able to experience this dance league in action on Friday, 11 March, to gain an in-depth understanding of how this league has infectiously inspired its local community. Hosted by St. Peter’s College, the event saw five schools come together to allow their students to freestyle before a panel of judges. The podium positions of the day went to St.Peters College, Queens High School, and Redhill High School.

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Game On Magazine gives you the perspective of SDSA chairman, Craig Bullock; Redhill High School drama teacher, Jeni-Lyn Merchison; and RedHill dancer and U/16 champion of the event, Komani Hara.

If you would like to get involved in the DSSL or find out any more information contact the National Secretary and Co-founder of the league, Nicki Wiggett: nicki@dssl.co.za

Interesting Facts about the SDSa The SDSA are also able to issue Provincial and Protea colours to their dancers, which is a giant leap for dance in South Africa. Opportunities for the Protea dance team to participate internationally are currently being created. Australia is already making inroads, and England, Denmark, Germany, Mauritius, Seychelles and Rodriques have shown interest in doing the same.

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Ocean Tshimbalanga is creating waves in Gauteng rugby

Ocean

Tshimbalanga creating waves in Gauteng rugby Standing at 1.79 metres tall and weighing 75 kilograms, the 14-year-old Ocean Tshimbalanga represents the future of South African Rugby. Currently in Grade Eight, attending Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg, he aims to play for the Springboks one day as an eighth-man.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

Jeppe high school for boys

youth feature: rugby

Words: Brian Lee | Photos: Brian Lee/BackpagePix

race. The young rugby player, who hails Bryan Habana and Duane Vermeulen as his role models, tries to set a good example for his three younger siblings – two brothers, Rio (nine) and Milton (three) and a sister, Roche (seven). After speaking to the young teenager there is no doubt he is a player to watch out for.

w in atc ter h vi our ew

Ocean was one of the standout performers at the Coca-Cola Craven Week in 2015 and was selected to play for the Golden Lions U/13 team but not in his preferred position as no. 8, but rather as an explosive and impactful lock. Among Ocean’s many talents he is a gifted sprinter where he often leaves his competitors in the dust in the 100 m

Full name:

High school:

Ocean Tshimbalanga

Jeppe High School for Boys

Date of Birth:

Notable Achievements:

16 February 2002

Played for Golden Lions U/13

Place of Birth: Alberton

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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Victor Ngoepe Adding a South African flavour to Major League Baseball

Victor rand park high school

Ngoepe Adding a South African flavour to Major League Baseball Major League Baseball is a big deal in the United States but baseball in South Africa as a whole is virtually unheard of.

This has not stopped Victor Ngoepe from playing the sport.

Starting from a young age Victor has grown into a quality player and has joined his older brother, Gift, at the Pittsburg Pirates.

Game On Magazine chatted to Victor to bring you his unique story.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

youth feature: baseball

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Provided

Full name: Tlou Victor Ngoepe listen to the game on soundcloud intervie w w ith victor

Date of Birth: 9 February 1998

Place of Birth: Johannesburg

High school: Rand Park High School

Teams represented: Randburg Mets, U/10-U/18 Gauteng, U/18 South Africa

follow victor on instagram

watch victor’s older brother, Gift Ngoepe in action

Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

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coach focus Sheldon Rostron

Sheldon Rostron

Sheldon Rostron has been involved in hockey since he could hold a hockey stick both as a player and as a coach. The South African Women’s head coach is passionate about improving the game in South Africa and Game On Magazine chatted to him to find out exactly how he plans to do this.

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Game On Magazine, April: Issue 27, 2016

coach focus: hockey

Words: Dan Lombard | Photos: Provided

follow sheldon on twitter listen to the game on soundcloud interview with sheldon

Full name: Sheldon Rostron

Date of Birth: 13 January 1985

Place of Birth: Potchefstroom

High school: Potchefstroom High School for Boys

Tertiary education: NWU-Pukke

Teams represented: NWU-Pukke Senior and U/21

Teams coached: Hoër Volkskool Girls 1st XI, Potchefstroom High School for Boys 1st XI, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 1st XI, North West U/16-U/18, North West University Women’s 1st XI, North West U/21 Women, North West Women (Indoor and Outdoor), Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool Director of Hockey/1st XI, UP-Tuks Women’s 1st XI, Northerns Women’s U/21, Die Hoërskool Menlopark Boys 1st XI, South Africa Women’s (Trainer, Goalkeeper Trainer and Manager), South Africa Women’s Head Coach

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