Gom october '13 issue 01

‘My sport. My life.’

ISSUE 01, OCTOBER 2013

In partnership with

The only sports magazine for South African youth

timeout from the LINEOUT VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

HOW FAR

WOULD YOUR DAD GO

YOU?

Pretoria’s

MIGHTIEST

MOUSE

GAMING

THE ART OF MIND SPORTS

new

Vitamin Range

Victor and his family’s secret to good health

FOUNDERS Dave White | Michael Janse van Rensburg | Charl Kruger QUARTERBACK (Creative Director) Michael Janse van Rensburg | michael@camouflage.co.za REFEREE (Sales Director) Dave White | white.dave78@gmail.com GOALKEEPER (Director) Charl Kruger | charl@camouflage.co.za

Cover Photo: Saspa.

COACH (Editor) Wilhelm de Swardt | wilhelm@camouflage.co.za Assistant Coach (Copy Editor) Cecile Kiley | ceenaude@global.co.za CHEERLEADER (PR and Sales) Carli Jansen van Rensburg | carli@camouflage.co.za PLAYMAKER (Design & Layout) Raymond Nkomo | ray@camouflage.co.za Eye In The Sky (Chief Photographer) Dr Henry Kelbrick | medsport@mweb.co.za MASCOT (Illustrator) Jakes van Vuuren | vanvuurenjb@gmail.com X’s & O’s (Production Manager) Cherice Liebenberg | cherice@camouflage.co.za BEAN COUNTER (Financial & Office Administrator) Erika Kruger | admin@camouflage.co.za GENERAL ENQUIRIES carli@camouflage.co.za | 087 980 2266 (X4) PUBLISHER CAMOUFLAGE VISUAL SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD APP AVAILABLE ON iTunes | Android Market | Blackberry World PDF READER AVAILABLE FROM Snapplify.com | game-on-mag.com HEAD OFFICE Building 26 | Norma Jean Square Office Park 244 Jean Avenue | Centurion Gauteng | South Africa Tel | +27 87 980 2266 Fax | +27 86 532 7880 Web | game-on-mag.com DISCLAIMER While every effort is made by TEAM: GAME ON to ensure that the content of our magazine is accurate, CAMOUFLAGE VISUAL SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD and GAME ON magazine cannot accept any responsibility for errors that may occur, or for any significance of applying the information contained herein. Statements by contributors and media submissions are not always representative of either CAMOUFLAGE VISUAL SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD or GAME ON magazine’s opinion. 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.

© Camouflage Visual Solutions (Pty) Ltd and Game On

BENCH (CONTRIBUTORS) Issue 1, October 2013

PIETER KRUGER (BOM) Journalist CHRISTEL RAUBENHEIMER Journalist KOBUS PRETORIUS Journalist

40 MOSA MATLOGA Journalist SONJA WILLEMSE Journalist Jane Bramley Journalist Reg Caldecott Photographer SASPA (South African Sports Picture Agency) HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE-HATFIELD (hpc) Melissa Lawrence and Monja Human Performance Coach and Co-founder of Positive Sport Parent: Mary Ann Dove Sports Physician: Dr Ewoudt van der Linde Nicki de Villiers

The BLD GROUP

High School Sports Magazine

46

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

3

FEATURES

GENERAL

COVER STORY

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SA SPORTS: (hpc-COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT): New Academy. New champions. Winning just got easier.

VICTOR MATFIELD: The man behind number 5 Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: SASPA, Photos By: Henry Kelbrick

24

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Reg Caldecott

GAMING – “It’s not a game anymore”: (VIDEO GAMING): Viewed as a hobby but never as something that you could make a living out of.

Words By: Mosa Matloga, Photos By: Mind Sports SA

ATHELETE PROFILES

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Zoon Cronje

Is the principle that you have to be good enough to be selected for a team of no importance anymore?

Illustration By: Jakes van Vuuren

46

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: SASPA

Words By: Jane Bramley, Photos By: Reg Caldecott

66

MICHAELA WHITEBOOI: “Mighty Mouse”:

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: HPC, Illustration By: Jakes van Vuuren

76

Grey College Champions: Eight players of the current Springbok squad hail from Grey College Bloemfontein.

Words By: Game On Editorial, Photos By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

(HPC SPORT SCHOOL - JUDO): “Die sterkste gif kom in die kleinste botteltjies”, loosely translated means “the most potent poison comes in the smallest bottles.”

44

JHB SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE: The race where champions are made.

SUNETTE VILJOEN: (SA ATHLETICS - JAVELIN): Top 10 all-time world-renowned javelin ranking.

58

DADS GOING TOO FAR – “Support or Obsession”:

CHRIS FROOME (Team Sky): Winner of the Tour de France: (CYCLING): Matriculated at St. John’s College in Johannesburg and the first rider ever from Africa to win the Tour.

52

19

SPATS, SCRATCHES, SADNESS AND SPORT:

14

For crying out loud… keep your parents out of court to get you on the team.

Words By: Christel Raubenheimer

88

MAX NOX: (MOUNTAIN BIKING): The pinnacle of the sport is crosscountry racing, and not marathon racing.

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Zoon Cronje

62

REGULARS

SIMPHIWE SITHEBE: (SA NETBALL): Growing up in Soweto, she had no idea what impact netball would have on her life.

Words By: Jane Bramley, Photos By: Tom Roberts (Planet Netball), Photos By: Reg Caldecott

“COACH’S CLIPBOARD”:

72

Words By: Kobus Pretorius

FRED ZEILINGA: (SHARKS RUGBY): Could he be the next great flyhalf?

Words By: Mosa Matloga (HSSM), Photo By: Sharks Rugby Union

70

THE SNYMAN SIBLINGS – “Go big or Go home”: (AFFIES RUGBY & NETBALL): 1st rugby team of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool and the 1st netball team of Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, which both remained unbeaten this season.

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Henry Kelbrick

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Menlopark High School

40

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Menlopark High School

38 34

BRITTAIN BROTHERS – four brothers in a boat: (ROWING): South Africa’s royal family of rowing.

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

Words By: Sonja Willemse

Words By: Pieter Kruger, Photos By: Foto24

(RUGBY Q&A): Rikus Bothma - From Paarl Gimnasium to WP (Craven Week).

Words By: Kobus Pretorius, Illustration By: Jakes van Vuuren

(SOCCER): 20 years’ experience in South African soccer as a player and a coach with Club and Country.

From Affies to Texas A&M University in the USA Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Henry Kelbrick

71

From Gold medalist at the African Junior Athletics Championship in Mauritius to Arizona University in the USA and gridiron football!

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Henry Kelbrick

100

8

119

(ATHLETICS): Wian Sullwald: Triathlon Junior World Champion.

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Zoon Cronje

114

122

(TENNIS): Zoe and Isabella Kruger:

Words By: Jack Milner, Photos By: BLD Communications

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

84

PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNALS

“I saw from the first day I could transform Zoe Kruger into one of the best players in the world,” said Hogstedt (one of the world’s most prominent coaches).

4

62

(ATHLETICS): Gerhard De Beer:

QUINTON DE KOCK: (SA CRICKET: WICKET-KEEPING): Taking over from Mark Boucher, a real gem that needs to be polished.

(MOUNTAIN BIKING): Sticking only to gravel roads will disqualify you from being called a mountain biker.

(ATHLETICS): Andries van der Merwe:

50

MELISSA VAN ASWEGEN – sometimes moms know best: (POLE VAULTING/GYMNASTICS) Her goal is to participate in the World Junior Championships, and ultimately the Olympics.

“TRAIL BLAZER!” – with Pierre Nel:

“OFF THE BALL!” – with Grant Johnson:

LIZÉ STRYDOM – a new leader arises: (MENLOPARK HOCKEY): It is our fighting spirit that makes Menlopark’s hockey teams good.

102

“CAPTAIN’S HUDDLE”:

SHAUN HULLEY: (MENLOPARK HOCKEY COACH): Master the basics and success will follow.

(RUGBY): Hein Kriek – Coach of Paul Roos Gimnasium to mastermind behind WP success at Craven Week.

90

CONTENTS Issue 1, October 2013

ADVICE COLUMN (hpc - MELISSA LAWRENCE & MONJA HUMAN): Inside the minds of your sporting heroes Words By: Melissa Lawrence and Monja Human

78

(hpc - MARY ANN DOVE): Are your children specialising in specific sport(s) too early?

Words By: Mary Ann Dove

80

EQUIPMENT (TRI-ATHLETE): Wian Sullwald: Junior World Champion talks about Specialized, the company to be part of!

Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Zoon Cronje

86

INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILES (ATHLETICS – 400 m HURDLES) Helene Swanepoel: 17-year-old Gold medalist at the World Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, another golden moment from Paarl Gimnasium Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

(ATHLETICS – TRIPLE JUMP): Sabelo Ndlovu: Gold medalist at the African Junior Athletics Championship in Mauritius Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

(UNITED KINGDOM – SWIMMING) Harry & Tillie Geggus: From the age of four, swimming turned out to be a life-changing experience for them Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

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108

110

NEWS AND UPDATES Vodacom Blue Bulls under-19 – Piere Scheoman: Fast becoming a star, he is a young rugby player to watch for Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

SA girls soccer under-19 – Snenhlanhla Shozi: She grew up playing soccer with her brothers Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

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96

FROM THE PUBLISHERS MICHAEL

It gives us great pleasure to introduce you to Game On – South Africa’s first and only sporting magazine for the youth. It features indepth interviews with some of our greatest stars, tips and tricks to stay ahead in their team and features on school sports stars who could be our future champions.

DAVE CHARL

Game On brings sports into the lives of all sports enthusiasts aged 14 to 23. Our focus is on the lives of our young people and the sports they play, including rugby, soccer, tennis, hockey, gymnastics, athletics and more, with articles written by experts in their respective fields.

To launch this one-of-a-kind publication, we’re looking for partners in publishing – advertisers, marketers and sports lovers, who would like to join us on this journey. Together, we can make a winning team.

My sport. My life.

6

Game On Magazine, Magazine, October: October: Issue Issue01, 01,2013 2013

our sport our life

FROM THE EDITOR Welcome!

If you are reading this article, you are one of the first subscribers to ‘Game On’, our brand new internet sports magazine.

Our aim is to go behind the scenes and write about what is really happening in junior sports (15-21 years) in South Africa. We want to keep you posted on our future champions’ quest to excel at the highest level.

To say that we at Game On love sports is putting it mildly. At Game On we are sports crazy.

There is nothing more thrilling than to see a winning try being scored in the dying seconds of a rugby game or, for that matter, to watch a match-saving tackle; a good contest between bat and ball in a cricket game; the ecstasy on the face of an athlete or swimmer the moment they realise they have won a gold medal at the Olympic Games or a World Championship; a golfer whose nerves hold up for him to sink a winning put at a Major Tournament, or a hectic do-or-die bunch sprint during the Tour de France. The list can go on and on.

Sport is the closest you can get to real-life drama.

No reality programme on television can even come close to the drama and excitement of watching a rugby match when your favourite team is playing. And that‘s not even taking into account that TV programmes are often edited to attract bigger audiences.

In sport there is a 95% chance that what you see is the real deal. The true image of sport can only be damaged by bookmakers and the use of banned substances.

For me one of the biggest highlights I have experienced during the 25 years that I have been covering various sporting events across the globe, was being present the night Usain Bolt (Jamaica) ran his first world record time of 9.69 s at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The moment after he had finished and his time of 9.69 s flickered on the stadium’s big television screen, there was a hushed silence.

It was as if no one could believe what they had just witnessed. It was history in the making. It was absolutely amazing.

Bolt is just one of countless athletes across the globe that inspires and entertains people in all walks of life.

He has the ability to let us forget about our personal problems for a few moments to share in the excitement.

At Game On we will try to follow in the footsteps of future greats like Bolt.

There are, however, issues in sport that we will not stand for. One such issue is the abuse of banned substances to help you succeed and another is obsessive behaviour by parents and coaches.

According to recent reports, independent tests conducted on 62 children over the past six months showed that 18 of them tested positive for drugs so dangerous, they could be fatal.

There is absolutely no excuse for any young sportsperson to even contemplate using banned substances in the hope of achieving better results.

Another very disconcerting matter in junior sports is media headlines such as: ‘Dad in court over son’s axing’.

A Pietermaritzburg father actually went to court in order to have his son reinstated as captain of his high school cricket team.

Yet another shocker was the recent story in an Afrikaans daily paper about two mothers from Bothaville who went to court about an incident that had supposedly happened during an under-12 tennis tournament.

Cases like these border on the totally ridiculous.

In this issue the well-known sports psychologist, Doctor Henning Gericke, discusses where parents should draw the line between being supportive and obsessive.

We also have a frank discussion with the Springbok legend, Victor Matfield, who will give some interesting advice to young players.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

7

Andries van der Merwe From Affies to Texas A&M University

Andries van der Merwe, a former world youth hurdles champion, will be training in Texas during the next two months. His training partner will be Aries Merritt, 110 m hurdles Olympic champion and current world record holder. But that’s not all.

DETERMINATION OF

LEGENDS 8

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: ATHLETICS

RUGBY VS ATHLETICS

In January Van der Merwe will start studying at Texas A&M University.

One of his training partners at the A&M will be Wayne Davis (II), who currently holds the world youth record, as well as the world junior record in the 110 m hurdles, with a time of 13.08 seconds.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

9

Andries van der Merwe From Affies to Texas A&M University

ANDRIES VAN DER MERWE

To say that Van der Merwe is excited about these prospects is putting it mildly. The former pupil of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) is looking forward to this new and exciting chapter in his athletics career. He was only able to run one race this season before disappointment struck, side-lining him for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.

“From athletics’ point of view, going to the USA is definitely the best decision I could have made.

The Texas A&M University has been dominating the NCAA by being the champions for four out of the past five years. The fact that I will be trained by one of Merritt’s former coaches will be an added bonus.”

In the past not many South African athletes who studied in the USA have made substantial progress in athletics. Rumours have it that the athletes are being pushed to the absolute limit to ensure that the University’s team excels. By the time they had completed their studies, they were no longer interested in participating in athletics. This doesn’t faze Van der Merwe.

“I won’t be very competitive during the next two years anyway, because I will have to get used to running the higher hurdles. But what will count in my favour is that I will receive proper coaching to do the basics right. I consider it as doing my apprenticeship as a 110 m hurdles athlete. My goal is to be at my best in three years’ time so that I can represent South Africa at the Olympic Games in Rio.” According to Van der Merwe, he had already trained with Merritt earlier this season.

“He is a very nice guy with no airs about him. He seems to enjoy his athletics and is willing to help other athletes wherever he can.”

10

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: ATHLETICS

Van der Merwe will share his USA adventure with us by writing a monthly diary for Game On.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

11

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

Van der Merwe’s decision to do athletics rather than play rugby surprised many people. From a South African athletics viewpoint this was quite a turnabout.

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: ATHLETICS

DETERMINATION OF

LEGENDS

Currently one of the main problems experienced by athletics in South Africa is that many talented young athletes are lost to the sport because of the lure of rugby, cricket or soccer.

The 19-year-old Van der Merwe took a break from athletics last year to play rugby for Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in Pretoria.

He made an impact on the wing and, with his quick burst of speed he scored quite a few tries when he had the ball in hand.

Sakkie van der Walt, head of Affies Sport, reckons that Van der Merwe would have been a brilliant Sevens rugby player. He could even have made a name for himself in the 15-man code if he had put his mind to it.

According to Van der Merwe, he is glad that he made the decision to play rugby for one season.

“I really missed my running and I now realise that I prefer individual sports

to team sports. Don’t get me wrong.

I enjoyed every moment of playing rugby and the pleasant memories will last for a long time to come. But my rugby career has come to an end.

In athletics it’s all about personal sacrifice. What you put in, is what you get out. If you run a bad race you have only yourself to blame. It’s not the same in a team sport.”

In 2011 Van der Merwe won the 110 m hurdles at the IAAF Youth World Championships in France. He also won a gold medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games on the Isle of Man. His best time (13.39 s) was the fastest run by a youth athlete for the season and it placed him 21st on the all-time youth ranking list.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

13

Michaela Whitebooi Mighty Mouse

Die sterkste gif kom in die kleinste botteltjies The most potent poison comes in the smallest bottles

14

17-year-old Michaela Whitebooi of the Tuks hpc Sport School, who is barely 1.5 m tall and weighs about 44 kg is a two-time champ.Â

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: JUDO

JUDO: The third largest sport (not only martial arts) in the world, based on the number of nations that have a governing body that participate in the Olympic Games

Made an Olympic sport in 1964

15 Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

Michaela Whitebooi Mighty Mouse

MICHAELA WHITEBOOI IS

Pure D

namite

Size can sometimes be misleading though. Her training partners say that Michaela’s rivals are sometimes almost in tears when they realise that she will be their opponent. And they have good reason to panic. When Whitebooi steps onto the judo mat, she doesn’t fool around. There’s a job to be done and she wants it done as quickly as possible.

Because of her aggressive approach, Whitebooi, who competes in the junior and cadet categories (under-44 kg and under-48 kg) has been nicknamed ‘Mighty Mouse’. Both Toby Sutcliffe, CEO of the University of Pretoria High Performance Centre (hpc), and Nikola Filopov, coach at the Tuks Judo Academy, predict without hesitation that Whitebooi is capable of winning a medal at the 2020 Olympic Games. At a recent US Open Tournament in Miami, she won two gold medals. She also came second at the African Championships in Algiers.

“ 16 Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

Michaela Whitebooi played provincial netball at centre for Eastern Province while at primary school.

“

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: HPC, Illustration By: Jakes van Vuuren

This sport/ martial art can take place with the competitors either on their feet or on the ground.

Hundreds of high amplitude throwing techniques can be used to transition to ground techniques (hold downs, arm bars, chokes).

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: JUDO

Judo originated in 1884 in Japan

by Kano Jigoro, Japan.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan at the Judo World Championships in Miami. Whitebooi lost to an athlete from Turkey in the second round. “The mistake I made was to doubt my own abilities, but I am going to work on it,” Whitebooi promises with a slight smile. Her involvement in judo happened by pure chance. “Being naturally inquisitive, I went with a friend of mine to a judo practice. It looked like fun, so I immediately decided to give it a go. I like the discipline it takes to be a good judoka. In judo it is also not just about being the strongest or fittest. You have to think all the time, trying to preempt what your rival plans to do, and work out how to counter it.”

“To be good in judo, you have to be able to outthink your rival and I love that.”

But no match is ever easy. Whitebooi discovered this the hard way when she

competed in a club meeting earlier this year. “I went into the competition a little bit cocky, expecting to win easily.

I paid the price for my overconfidence by losing. In hindsight, I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I will never underestimate anybody again. I took my revenge at the SA National Ranking Tournament by beating the girl I had lost to.”

Whitebooi trains between five and six hours a day and she just loves it. “I am lucky to have probably the best coach any judoka could ask for, so I don’t mind putting in the long hours. Nikola is my coach on and off the mat. He always expects 100% commitment, and sometimes, during a training session, he may get upset and shout at you. But it is for a good reason. He really wants every one of us to succeed. There is no better coach than Nikola, especially

while you are fighting. He immediately notices if you are doing something wrong and gives the right advice to rectify the mistake. Therefore, he is a real asset to have next to the mat when you are fighting. He also knows how to boost you mentally before a fight.”

“My main weakness at the moment is that I don’t always believe in my own abilities and sometimes I tend to allow my rivals to intimidate me. This is definitely something I will have to work on if I want to be really competitive at big international tournaments.”

17 Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

www.hpc.co.za

The High Performance Centre (hpc) situated on the The University of Pretoria’s Sports Campus is Southern Africa’s first sport performance facility. Launched in May 2002, the centre is the training ground for tomorrow’s sporting champions and the venue of choice for South African and International sports professionals and enthusiasts alike.

The hpc’s unique combination of a Hospitality and a Sports Science and Medical division has established its local and international reputation for excellence and success. They offer the following services:

HOSPITALITY

SPORTS SCIENCE & MEDICAL

• • • •

• • • • • • •

•

World-class training facilities Hotel Group/team accommodation Time Out Café which offers buffet and a la carte meals Transport to and from the airport and training venues

Exercise science and physiology Sports medicine Physiotherapy Biokinetics Biomechanics Nutrition Psychology

These offerings attract international athletes annually, as well as local sporting bodies for training camps or specific team preparation. The hpc provides sports science and medical support to the University of Pretoria’s sport clubs and also offers the following sporting programmes through the TuksSport High School: TuksAthletics, TuksCricket, TuksSwimming, TuksSoccer, Tuks Golf/PGA, TuksTennis.

The hpc is a valuable asset, not only to the University of Pretoria, but also to any recreational, school or high performance athlete. Evidently the hpc is doing something right as they claimed three of the six medals won at the 2012 Olympic Games, with a Gold, Silver and Bronze through their Rowing ‘Oarsome Foursome’, Caster Semenya and Bridgitte Hartley. They are confident that they are preparing the up and coming medal winners for the 2016 Olympic Games.

HOSPITALITY

SPORTS SCIENCE & MEDICAL

GENERAL: RUGBY

It’s hard to believe that no fewer than eight of the Springbok squad of 28 players who currently play in the Rugby Championship, are former pupils of Grey College in Bloemfontein.

Game Game On On Magazine, Magazine, October: October: Issue Issue 01, 01, 2013 2013

19

Grey College of Champions

For those who might not be informed rugby boffins, the current Grey Springboks are: 1. Jannie du Plessis (tighthead), 2. Bismarck du Plessis (hooker) 3. Coenie Oosthuizen (tighthead) 4. Adriaan Strauss (hooker) 5. Flip van der Merwe (lock) 6. Ruan Pienaar (scrumhalf) 7. Piet van Zyl (scrumhalf)

Grey has produced 42 Springboks so far.

Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch leads with 51, followed by Bishops College in Cape Town, South African Schools College (SACS), Paarl Boys High, Kimberley Boys High and Rondebosch. Affies in Pretoria is 11th with eight Springboks.

How does Grey College produce all these Springboks?

“This is a very difficult question,” says Wessel du Plessis, an assistant coach for the first team.

8. Jan Serfontein (centre).

“We are often asked this question and it’s always difficult to provide an answer. I don’t think it is possible to pinpoint one specific factor and say ‘That’s how’.

Our success is due to a combination of factors.”

Flip van der Merwe (lock) Bismarck du Plessis (hooker)

Jan Serfontein (centre)

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

GENERAL: RUGBY

“We also believe in hard work – nothing comes free.

Sometimes there’s a sense that your best isn’t good enough. This motivates players to try even harder.”

“And lastly, we have very good coaching structures in place and the necessary facilities to help the players develop to the best of their abilities.”

According to the senior rugby writer for the Independent Group, Jacques van der Westhuizen, the cream of the crop of young rugby players in the Free State go to Grey. Parents as well as promising players know that, instead of getting lost in the system, they will have the inside lane to progress.

Schoolsportsnews.com reports that more Grey players than players from any other school have attended the Craven Week. In 1977 the entire Grey 1st XV was chosen for the Free State side.

Grey’s first international player was Herman van Broekhuizen. He made his debut for South Africa in 1896 against a British Isles touring team. What made him special was that he never represented any team in a Currie Cup competition.

Coenie Oosthuizen (tighthead)

Grey’s dream Springbok team?

Dawie Snyman, Jaco Reinach, Frans Steyn, Pieter Muller, Helgard Muller, Robbie Blair, Ruan Pienaar, Morne du Plessis (captain), Theuns Stofberg, Ruben Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Johan Spies, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Coenie Oosthuizen.

Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Ollie le Roux, Heinrich Brussow, Werner Swanepoel, Jackie Snyman, Johan Goosen.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

21

» Words By: Game On Editorial, Photos By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

Firstly, the school boasts a rugby tradition spanning 157 years. The players are eager to do well and there is an urgency among them to achieve success. When current students walk through the school halls and look at the pictures of their predecessors in Springbok jerseys, they experience a sense of history and achievement. Players are exposed to what it takes to become a Springbok, on a daily basis.

Grey College of Champions

Grey’s College Old Boys Timeline The following Grey old boys have played for South Africa:

Herman van Broekhuizen Sarel Strauss Harry (Kalfie) Martin Piet de Wet

John Wessels Morné du Plessis [Captain] Dawie Snyman Theuns Stofberg Jaco Reinach Helgard Müller

Boetie McHardy [ who was the first Springbok to score a hat-trick of tries in a test ]

Louis Babrow

Popeye Strydom

Johan Spies Jackie Snyman [ Brother of Dawie Snyman ]

Robbie Blair [ Grey’s second Springbok captain ]

Johan Styger Heinrich Fuls

1992

Pieter Müller Andries Truscott

Ruben Kruger

1993 1994 1997 1999 2002 2004 2006

Naka Drotske

Bismarck du Plessis Jannie du Plessis

2007

Wian du Preez Tiaan Liebenberg

Adriaan Strauss

2008 2010 2011 2012 2013

Heinrich Brussow

Werner Swanepoel

CJ van der Linde Ruan Pienaar Frans Steyn

Deon Stegmann Coenie Oosthuizen Piet van Zyl Jan Serfontein

Sources: Greycollege.com, SA Rugby Annual, schoolssports.com 22

1896 1912 1921 1937 1938 1955 1965 1970 1971 1974 1976 1977 1986

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

Ollie le Roux

Charl Marais

Gerrie Britz

Flip van der Merwe Andries Strauss Johan Goosen

VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Âť Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photo By: SASPA

Victor M

Advice for young athletes 24

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

COVER FEATURE: RUGBY

In the lineout with

Matfield Victor’s career highlights Victor’s rugby life lessons Victor’s TOP 5 sports heroes

Victor Matfield is the most-capped Springbok rugby player of all time. He is a national hero who transcends rugby provincialism and has fans across the world. Matfield’s rugby exploits and achievements are numerous. He was a pivotal part of the teams that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup and defeated the British Lions in 2009. He also helped the Boks win two Tri Nations tournaments, and as captain of the Bulls, he lifted the Super 14 trophy three times, and basked in Currie Cup glory with the Blue Bulls.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Passionate rugby fans will tell you that, apart from almost always winning his own lineout ball, Matfield was well-known for his exceptional ability to disrupt opposition lineouts. This peculiar skill of his was one of the cornerstones in the victory of the Boks in the 2007 World Cup tournament. Matfield was crowned IRB (International Rugby Board) player of the Rugby World Cup tournament.

But where did it

all begin for the boytjie from Pietersburg?

“When I was a ‘laaitie’ I never wanted little toy cars or, for that matter, any other toys for my birthday. Sports equipment, like a tennis racket, a cricket bat or a rugby ball, excited me. I don’t think I ever owned a toy car. Since I started to walk I was passionate about sport.

My parents, Fai and Hettie, who were both teachers, certainly played a major role in my passion for sport.

Since I was five, I tagged along when my dad went to coach rugby or cricket and kept myself busy playing with a ball. I was actually privileged because by the time I went to primary school, I had already mastered the basic techniques of rugby and cricket.”

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

COVER FEATURE: RUGBY

“Throughout my school years sports were important to me.”

In his autobiography, ‘Victor – My Journey’, Matfield tells the story of how his parents were not impressed when, as captain of Pietersburg North Primary at under-8 level, he advised his teammates to run off the field without shaking the hands of the winners after receiving a drubbing at the hands of Pietersburg East Primary. The team made a beeline for the pavilion after the loss, but the young Victor was not fast enough. His mother chased him down like a fleet-footed winger, grabbed his right ear and gave him a lecture. She said:

Photo By: Activo Health

“Victor, you turn back this instant. Go and find every player of that team, shake their hands and tell them they played well. The same applies to their coach. And then you thank the referee for the game.

If you don’t go back right now, I’ll see to it that you never play rugby again!”

Matfield, his tail firmly between his legs, had to turn back to congratulate the Pietersburg East Primary team. This event helped lay the foundation of his future rugby career.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

One of Matfield’s favourite sayings has always been:

“Champions train while others rest. Nothing beats hard work.”

“I can still remember how, when I was still in primary school, my dad and I would spend up to five hours in the cricket nets during a school holiday.”

“I also ran cross-country at school to improve on my fitness. Another reason why I am grateful to my parents is that they always emphasised the importance of leading a balanced life. It was always just as important to excel at my school studies as it was to achieve a good result on the sports field. I had three distinctions in matric: maths, science and accounting. Languages were, and still are, my weakness.”

According to Matfield, he was much better at cricket than at rugby at first. “I only really started to play good rugby when I was in standard nine and matric. In matric I was selected for the SA Academy Team. I represented Far North for two years in a row at the Craven Week. After school I received a bursary to study at the University of Pretoria. I made a bit of rugby history when I was, at 18, the youngest lock ever to have played for the Tuks 1st team. I also represented the Blue Bulls under-21 team for three years, not missing one game.”

Matfield then left the Blue Bulls to play two seasons for Griquas.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

COVER FEATURE: RUGBY

“I did not want to, but I had no choice. At the time Krynauw Otto was incumbent number five lock for the Blue Bulls as well as for the Springboks. I wanted to play rugby matches but I realised that, with Krynauw in the Blue Bulls team, it was not going to happen. That was why I left to play for Griquas. I don’t regret my decision because I had a lot of good exposure.

We played in the Vodacom Cup Final and I was a member of the Cats team that played in the semi-final of the Super Series. I then returned to the Blue Bulls and, as they say, the rest is history.”

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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5 VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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SIDE BAR

Victor Matfield career higlights

I n 2002 I was a member of the Blue Bulls team that won the Currie Cup. We were really a young rookie team with an average age of between 22 and 23. We did not have a good Super 14 season, having lost all our games, but in the Currie Cup we started to gel as a team. We beat a starstudded Sharks team in the semi-final and then went on to beat the Lions 31-7 in the final at Ellis Park. he famous 2007 Super 14 final in Durban, where T Bryan Habana scored the winning try after the hooter had already gone to signal the end of the game. There were so many emotions going through my mind. One moment I thought that it was all over, and we had lost. The next moment there was total jubilation when we realised that we had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The Bulls won 20-19. inning the Rugby World Cup in W 2007 when the Springboks beat England by 15-6 in the final. There is nothing that comes even close to winning a World Cup final. What made it even more special for me was to be elected as the ‘player of the match’ afterwards. he 2010 Super Rugby final when we beat T the Stormers by 25-17 in Soweto. This showed that people of different cultures can come together and share the same joy. And it was sport, in fact rugby, that made it all possible. Watching the conservative Blue Bulls supporters drink beer and braai with locals was something that I will never forget. eing a member of the Springbok Team that beat the B British and Irish Lions in 2009 was also very special. A player only gets an opportunity to play against them once in a rugby career. The series was clinched on Loftus when the Boks beat the Lions 28-25.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

MAIN COVER FEATURE: RUGBY

FEATURE

SIDE BAR

Photo By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

Pitfalls for young players:

One of the main problems for every young player who starts after having completed school is how to handle success, fame and money.

While still at school players are looked after and protected by their parents and coaches, but when they go to university it changes. Suddenly they earn more money than any of the friends who were at school with them and people begin to recognise them.

This is when it becomes easy to lose the plot and go astray. The girls like you, you suddenly have a lot of friends, you can have big parties, you drive an expensive car and you earn lots of money. It becomes a case of ‘easy come, easy go’.

There should be structures in place to help and assist young players at this stage of their careers. They should be taught about the importance of maintaining a balanced life. They should realise that they are not the only people who are successful. There are others who also excel in what they do.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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VICTOR MATFIELD SPECIAL TRIBUTE

SIDE BAR

Matfield selects

top five players of his playing era 1. Fourie du Preez

(Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf): As captain and vice-captain of the Bulls and Springboks we spent hours to analyse and strategise how we could win games. There is no better friend or teammate than Fourie.

2. Bakkies Botha

(Bulls and Springbok lock): In spite of being so different on as well as off the rugby field, we just gelled. There definitely is truth in the saying that opposites attract. I am a true city slicker who loves fast cars, while Bakkies cannot wait to go to the bush. The only car for him is a Land Cruiser. On the field I was the guy who wanted to run, ball in hand, and to initiate plays, while Bakkies just wanted to terrorise our opponents and sometimes even hurt them.

3. George Gregan

(Wallaby scrumhalf): He is a brilliant tactician and the ultimate gentleman on the field. During the time I played with him for Toulouse in France, I did not once hear him moan or say anything bad about another player.

4. Richie McCaw (All Blacks captain): When you played against Richie, you knew that you were in for a tough game. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit’.

5. Paul O’ Connell

(British Lions and Ireland captain): Because he was an expert analyst of lineout tactics, it was difficult whenever we played against him. He is a great guy off the field.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

Photo By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

MAIN FEATURE

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LIZé STRYDOM CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

lizé strydom Most people have memories about something very special that happened during their matric year. Lizé Strydom, who is currently in matric at the Hoërskool Menlopark, is definitely no exception and it will be safe to say that very few matric memories will come close to hers.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: HOCKEY

champion of champions

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Menlopark Hoërskool

To be the captain of your school’s first hockey team and score the winning goal in the dying moments of the final of the Noordvaal Trophy, is not something that will be forgotten in hurry, especially if your team was not rated highly at the beginning of the season.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

35

LIZé STRYDOM CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Strydom might well be remembered in the hockey history of the Hoërskool Menlopark as one of the best hockey captains ever. She was the first captain who was able to lead her team to victories in the Pretoria Stadsbeker Competition, as well as the Gauteng North League and the Noordvaal Competition in the same year.

When rugby was still supposed to be an amateur sport, Naas Botha, the former Blue Bulls captain, once remarked that the Currie Cup is not won in May. He made this remark at a time when his team was not performing to the expectations of their fans and critics. They proved him right by winning the Currie Cup in October.

Now, many years later in 2013, Strydom again confirmed the truth of Botha’s legendary words. The hockey season certainly did not begin well for Strydom and her teammates. In the beginning of the season they struggled to gel as a team and consequently lost quite a few matches. Some sceptics even remarked that this was going to be the least successful first hockey team in the history of the school. But the sceptics did not take the never-say-die attitude of the players into account.

“It is our fighting spirit that makes Menlopark’s hockey teams good,” said Strydom when asked.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: HOCKEY

lizé “Our under-16A team is a good example of this. They lost quite badly against Hoërskool Transvalia, but when it came to the Noordvaal final and they had to play against Transvalia again, they considered the playing field to be level again.

Not a thought was given to what had happened in the previous game.

All that mattered to them was what was going to happen in the current match. This is the key to the hockey success of the Hoërskool Menlopark.

The final played out to be a draw.”

“We sometimes lose quite badly to another team, but when it comes to the crunch and the result really matters, the players step up a notch and play out of their skins.”

on being captain Strydom’s face lit up when she was asked to tell what happened in the dying minutes of the final of the Noordvaal Trophy.

“We had a penalty corner and I pushed the ball into play. One of my teammates took a shot at goal, the ball bounced back in my direction and I struck out hitting the ball from between my legs. The moment I realised that it was going to be a goal, I just went ballistic with joy.”

Strydom is quite modest about her role as captain.

“Being the captain was definitely not always easy. But I was glad that I had the opportunity, because I learned much about myself as a person, on as well as off the field. The most important lesson that I learnt was definitely that it is wrong for a captain to always expect everybody to do as she wants. You should know when to step back and go with the flow, accepting what your teammates want to do, or don’t want to do.”

“As captain I always tried to lead from the front, but you cannot force any player to follow your example.

It remains their choice and you have to accept every player for who she is.”

“The photos that were taken tell the true story. There is one of me jumping into the arms of a teammate with my legs wrapped around her. I cannot find words to describe my feelings at that exact moment. It was just unbelievable.”

The final score was Menlopark 1, Middelburg 0.

Strydom is not sure whether she will be able to continue to play hockey next year.

“I want to study to become a doctor and I am not sure whether my studies will allow me to keep on playing.

But I hope to at least be involved as an umpire.”

Strydom is a qualified umpire who called the shots during the final of the under-16 inter-provincial tournament.

Maybe this was the ‘fairy tale’ end of Lizé Strydom’s hockey career.

& the future of hockey Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

37

SHAUN HULLEY A COACH’S PERSPECTIVE

Hulley chats Hockey “Master the basics and success will follow.”

Mastering the basics has been the philosophy of Shaun Hulley, head of the Hoërskool Menlopark Hockey Academy, since he started coaching.

“Impressive” is the most appropriate word to describe the way in which the team has dominated Schools hockey in the Northern Provinces (Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo) for more than three decades.

And judging by the success of the school’s girls’ team, there’s certainly merit in Hulley’s coaching philosophy.

Since 1982, Hoërskool Menlopark has won the Noordvaal Trophy no less than 13 times. The School has won the Stadsbeker almost every second year and the Northerns League 19 times.

Over the past seven years, the first girls’ hockey team at Hoërskool Menlopark has won the Noordvaal Trophy five times.

Asked about the secret of their success, Hulley replied that it is due to strict discipline.

“For me, being late for a hockey practice is the same as when the CEO of a company is late for a board meeting. It is simply not done.Teamwork is also important. I want the players to have trust in each other’s abilities. The ball should be passed on in order to create goal-scoring opportunities.

“Don’t be late for practice!”

Shaun Hulley Hoërskool Menlopark Hockey Academy Head Coach

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

“There is no ‘i’ in team sports. But don’t get me wrong. Individual brilliance is important, provided such players rely on their teammates and not only on their own abilities.

A Coach’s Perspective “The Noordvaal Trophy Final between us and Hoërskool Middelburg is a classic example of how we first worked on getting the basics right.

“Middelburg has basically beaten our current first team ever since they first played against each other as under-14s. We did not enjoy losing against them, but we were not overly concerned either.

“Up to under-15 level, it is more important to make sure that our players are properly coached.

Once they have mastered the basic techniques, they will begin to win matches.

“And it worked. When it really mattered, we managed to beat Middelburg.’’

According to Hulley, persuading the school to build an Astroturf hockey field has been one of his main goals ever since he became involved with Menlopark hockey.

“It is definitely making a difference, especially for the boys. The game is now faster and the skills of the players are improving all the time.”

Another goal that Hulley has set for himself is to establish an ‘Old Parkie’ Hockey Club.

“I think it will be a definite way to ensure that more players continue to be involved in the game after they have left school.”

THE SNYMAN SIBLINGS GOING BIG

THE SNYMAN SIBLINGS

Go BiG Brother and sister, RG and Annerine Snyman, certainly had no wish to go home. Instead they opted to go big.

And they certainly managed to do so.

They were both instrumental in the success achieved by their respective teams, namely the 1st rugby team of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool and the 1st netball team of Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, which both remained unbeaten this season. This was certainly no small feat.

It should be no surprise that RG (Grade 12), who is 2.05 m tall and weighs approximately 114 kg, plays lock. Annerine (Grade 11) is 1.88 m tall and her weight is of none of anybody’s concern.

All that really matters is that, as a goal shooter, she hardly ever misses during games.

Roughly estimated, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool 1st team scored a 1 000 points this season. Annerine’s success rate was approximately 94%, which was not at all shabby.

RG was selected for the Blue Bulls Craven Week Team, as well as for the South African Schools Team.

And yes, the brother and sister are each other’s biggest supporters.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: RUGBY & NETBALL

or go home Even though RG admits that he is not a very keen netball fan, he tries to watch whenever his sister plays. Annerine, on the other hand, is an enthusiastic rugby supporter. When her brother is not playing, she and her friends will watch the Bulls, WP, the Boks, or actually any other rugby team.

For obvious reasons the Springbok lock, Eben Etsebeth, is a firm favourite with them. On a more serious note, RG has always been passionate about rugby. His earliest memories are of playing ball with his dad, Roelf, when he was still a mere laaitie.

“My dad has definitely had the most important influence on my rugby career. He has always supported me and helped me wherever he could.”

An interesting fact about RG’s rugby career is that, when he was in Grade 7, he played flyhalf for the first team of Laerskool Hennopspark and lock for the Blue Bulls under-13 Craven Week Team.

“I don’t think I was too bad at flyhalf,” RG said with a big grin. “Do you know who played inside centre? It was Francois Steyn, who played hooker for our first team this year. I think the two of us will be a good combination, no matter in which positions we play.”

When asked about Affies’ rugby success this season, RG said that it all boiled down to pure guts and character.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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THE SNYMAN SIBLINGS GOING BIG

making it big “And we were really a team. It was a case of ‘one for all and all for one’ every time we went out to play.

It was never anything like ‘I am a senior player and you are just a junior’.”

RG is also quite passionate about boxing. He was graded as an amateur boxer, but never fought.

“When my first opportunity to fight arose, I had to make a choice between boxing and playing my first game for the ‘Wit Bulle’. Naturally I chose to play for the Bulle. I want to make a career of playing rugby.”

According to RG he has already accepted a contract to play for the Blue Bulls next season.

“I don’t want to play my rugby at any other place than Loftus.”

He is especially looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about lineout tactics from the Springbok legend, Victor Matfield.

Just as Matfield did in his playing days, RG prefers to be the number five lock.

Netball was not always Annerine’s favourite pastime.

“Up to Grade 4 I was a keen dancer. Only then did I start to play netball.”

She makes no secret of who her role model is.

“It has to be Affies’ first netball team of 2010. They also ended the season unbeaten. I think in total they had a winning streak of 110 games.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

That is the record my teammates and I would dearly love to equal or improve on.

I am not sure, but I think so far we have won about 60 games on the trot. A definite highlight was when we beat Sentraal (Bloemfontein) in the final of the Wildeklawer Tournament.”

Most of the top schools from all over the country competed in that tournament. Annerine refuses to accept any credit for herself for the team’s success.

“Any goal shooter is only as good as her teammates allow her to be. I have fantastic teammates who perfected the art of creating goal-scoring opportunities for me.”

Annerine, who hopes to achieve six or seven distinctions in next year’s matric exams, is not sure that she will play competitive netball after school.

“I will always play netball, but at this stage I am just not sure whether or not I should try to play for the Proteas.”

Considering the sports talents of RG and Annerine Snyman, the brother and sister from Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool and Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, we think they should both give playing for their country in their different sports a shot.

Dad in court over son’s axing HOW FAR

WOULD YOUR DAD GO

YOU?

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. It is not unusual these days for parents to try to bully their children into teams, without taking into consideration whether the child deserves to be selected or not.

Any regular newspaper reader is aware of this.

Is there anyone who enjoys reading a heading like this in a newspaper, especially as it concerns school sports?

There is clearly something totally wrong in South African school sport if a parent is prepared to go to such extremes to reinstate his son as captain of his school’s cricket team.

Well-known Pretoria sports psychologist, Doctor Henning Gericke, describes obsession as a symptom of modern society.

“The concept of winning, or being the best, has become far too important in school sports.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not against winning. In fact I hate to lose and just love to win, but, as with everything else in life, there should be a balance. I think

The mistake often made by parents and coaches these days is to praise youngsters only when they have achieved good results, rather than praising them for the effort they put in to be able to participate. Hard work, together with ethics, is what makes a person a winner.

In sport there is a rule known as the ‘10 000 hour rule’. According to this rule, it takes 10 000 hours of hard work for a young athlete to become a true champion.

“If young athletes are expected to win every time they compete, they are bound to fail. It is said that the inventor, Thomas Edison, failed more than 1 000 times before he succeeded in creating the light bulb. » Words By: Christel Raubenheimer, Illustraton By: Jakes van Vuuren

What has happened to the ageold sports principle of merit? Is the principle that you have to be good enough to be selected for a team of no importance anymore?

The following question comes to mind: When is a parent ‘supportive’ and when does his support turn into an ‘obsession’?

we should take another look at the definition of what winning really means. To want to win at all costs, is actually a sure way of losing.”

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

GENERAL: SCHOOL SPORT INTERFERENCE

SIDE BAR

“ I have not failed 1 000 times.

I have successfully discovered 1 000 ways not to make a light bulb.”

–Thomas Edison

Lessons for young athletes The dad who went to court trying to get his son reinstated as captain of the school’s first cricket team, did not do his son a favour, even though he probably thought he did.

With his intervention, the dad took away the opportunity his son had to learn what mental toughness is all about. The son will continue to rely on his dad to help him every time a problem arises in the future.

If young athletes are expected to win at all costs every time they compete, a fear of failure is nurtured in them.

Instead of thinking like champions, these youngsters will stop taking risks. They will prefer to choose the safer option.

Having worked with many of South Africa’s national teams, I have come to realise that failure is followed by success.

My advice to youngsters is to write their own life stories.

This is one thing that their parents or coaches cannot do for them.

“We all have our own inner battles concerning fear and self-doubt, but we have to tackle these doubts with courage and confidence.The only way to become a true winner, is to learn from your own mistakes and work towards not repeating them.”

Rafael Nadal, a current tennis legend, has many off-thecourt insecurities, but once he steps onto the court he begins to think like a winner.

Two other well-known people, Richard Branson and the late Steve Jobs, also failed at first, before eventually becoming spectacularly successful.”

Victor Matfield’s Life lessons learnt from

rugby

1. Champions train while others rest.

Talent is important but in the end success is achieved by those who are prepared to do the hard work.

2. Stay modest. The moment a player considers himself to be all important, he is likely to make mistakes.

3. Relationships are important.

As captain of the Bulls and the Springboks I learned to appreciate people for who they are and not for what I wanted them to be. If you disagree with somebody, it does not necessarily mean that he is wrong or, for that matter, that you are.

4. You have to be able to work through disappointments.

Life consists of 10% of what happens to you and 90% of your reaction to what has happened. How do you react when you don’t succeed?

Do you feel sorry for yourself and want to quit, or do you try to learn from your own mistakes? Ask yourself what you can do to make things better. Did you really give it your all?

Game GameOn OnMagazine, Magazine, October: October: Issue Issue 01, 2013

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Chris Froome THE WINNER WE ALL KNOW

From Kenya,

to South Africa, to England,

to Victory

Even though Chris Froome is quite adamant that he is a true Brit, South African and Kenyan cycling fans are justified to be excited about his Tour de France victory.

Photo By: St. John’s College

It was in Kenya, under the mentorship of David Kinjah, that his apprenticeship as a cyclist started off. He then came to South Africa where he first joined Hi-Q Super Cycling, followed by Konica Minolta and Barloworld. Only then did he move on to Britain and Team Sky. Froome matriculated at St. John’s College in Johannesburg, earning a distinction in his favourite subject, mathematics.

It is rather amusing how attitudes can change sometimes. In Froome’s biography (Va Va Froome) an incident is related that happened

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

10 years ago when Froome was still a pupil at St. John’s College. He was pulled over by an irate traffic officer for taking a cheeky shortcut while he was riding home from boarding school down a busy Johannesburg highway to spend the weekend with his dad. Despite Froome’s polite protestations the patrolman failed to see the merit of his argument. In the beginning of this year, while Froome was doing interval training along the R27 highway on the Western Cape coast near Saldanha Bay, he was chased down

by the police again and ushered to the roadside.

But this time there was no angry ticking off. It transpired that the constable, an ardent cycling fan, just wanted to have the honour of shaking Froome’s hand. While he was a pupil at St John’s, Froome played flank for one of the school’s lower rugby teams until Grade 11.

“I was getting crunched,” Froome recalls, “but I enjoyed it. Actually I loved it.”

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: CYCLING

He also won a race at an interhouse cross-country athletics meeting. Alan Lion-Cachet, Sport Director at St. John’s, remembers Froome as a boy who took on every challenge that came his way.

‘He was never one who tried to duck and dive responsibilities.

He did more than what was expected of him. He even asked me if he could start a cycling club at the school.”

In his Matric year in 2003, Froome was elected Nash House Prefect. At that time cycling was already the only sport for him. He could be found in his dormitory room, pedalling at a furious tempo on his racing bike that was mounted on a turbo trainer. Allan Laing, Nash housemaster, remembers that Froome would cycle for hours on end.

“He must have cycled hundreds of kilometres without leaving the room, showing true dedication and passion for the sport.”

Later on he ditched the indoor rollers and headed off on long distance solo rides in the late afternoon, returning when it was already getting dark.

“We would often begin to worry about him, wondering whether he was OK,’’ Laing said.

THE WINNER WE ALL KNOW… One of his favourite training climbs used to be on Munro Drive, adjacent to St. John’s College.

According to Froome, it looks like a speed hump compared with the mountain passes that he now uses to prepare for events like the Tour de France. It was at St John’s that Froome also had his Tour de France initiation when he watched the 2002 Tour on television in his dormitory.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Photo By: Zoon Cronje

Chris Froome THE WINNER WE ALL KNOW

SIDE BAR

Chris Froome

Chris Froome (Team Sky) won the one hundredth edition of the Tour de France.

The question on everybody’s lips is whether Froome’s victory will turn out to be the much needed breaking of a new dawn in international cycling. If early indications that this is indeed the case can be believed, the change could not have come at a better time.

Armstrong, possibly the worst cheat of all time in international sports, admitted earlier this year that he had used banned substances to win the Tour. This was the last missing piece of the doping jigsaw puzzle and probably represented the darkest era in international cycling.

However, Froome is still standing firm on his principles. He reiterated that, in his opinion, his victory is the beginning of a new era in cycling.

If ever international cycling needed a ‘clean hero’, now is the time.

When Armstrong won the Tour in 1999, after the 1998 Festina Doping scandal, he was hailed as the new saviour of international cycling.

“We, as a peloton, are standing together for the first time and we will not tolerate the use of banned substances any longer.”

The fact that Armstrong survived cancer and came back from the brink of death to win the Tour, which is considered to be one of the most strenuous physical challenges in the world, was perceived as a fairy tale come true.

Dave Brailsford, team manager of Team Sky, backed his rider by saying that Froome’s victory was the beginning of a transition period in international cycling.

Froome was on record right from the start saying that he was going to prove that the Tour could be won without having to resort to the use of any banned substances.

“Young riders such as Geraint Thomas, Marcel Kittel, Peter Sagan, Nairo Quintana, Andrew Talansky and many others, have not been around at the time when doping was a serious problem in cycling.

Since erythropoietin (EPO) became the drug of choice among cyclists in the early 90s, the sport has made media headlines for all the wrong reasons.

During the past 17 years basically not a month has gone by without reports in the media about a cyclist having tested positive for illegal substances.

It is a sad and frightening fact that from 1996 (the end of the Miguel Indurain era) to 2010 no fewer than six Tour de France champions were caught using banned substances.

The culprits were Bjarne Riis (1996), Jan Ullrich (1997), Marco Pantani (1998), Lance Armstrong (1999-2005), Floyd Landis (2006) and Alberto Contador (2010).

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Unfortunately the media, perhaps rightfully so, has been somewhat sceptical about Froome’s performance throughout the Tour. The barrage of questions about doping that Froome had to face were probably more strenuous to him at times than having to ride up the legendary Alped’Huez climb twice in one day.

“I am proud to have won the Tour, showing that the sport can change for the better.”

“As far as I am concerned, the sport is in a very good position at the moment. A brilliant future awaits it.”

SIDE BAR

SIDE BAR

From an African perspective The 2013 Tour was also a milestone.

Froome is the first ever rider from Africa to have won the Tour.

And it should not be forgotten that South Africa’s Daryl Impey wore the Tour’s coveted yellow jersey for two days and he also won the team time trial together with his Orica-GreenEdge teammates.

To have two ‘Africans’ on the winners’ rostrum during a Tour, especially the 100th edition, is a milestone in African cycling.

The challenge for everybody involved in African cycling is to ensure that this does not remain merely a one-off occurrence.

The fact that Froome has indicated that, when his racing days are over, he would like to become involved with African cycling by helping young riders to fulfil their aspirations, is excellent news.

Victor Matfield’s Tips For Young Players

1 You need to have a dream to strive

towards.

2 You need to have other options

available if your sports career is not successful. Many youngsters decide at the age of 16 that they want to become professional rugby players.

This is a mistake. You can never put all your eggs in one basket because you do not know what will happen in the future. That is why you have to be serious about also achieving good results in your studies. Remember that a rugby career only lasts for 10 to 12 years. You have to plan for what you want to do afterwards.

3 Try to find a mentor. I was lucky to

have had Heyneke Meyer in my life.

When he talked to me about wasting money on fast cars and expensive clothes, I listened to him because I admired him for who he was and where he came from.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

49

FOUR BROTHERS IN A BOAT

Four brothers

in a boat There are no guarantees in sports but, with lots of hard work, huge sacrifices and a little medical help, four South African brothers might be able to compete in the same sport at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Brittain brothers, Matthew (26), Lawrence (22), James (20) and Charles (16), could perhaps make Olympic history for South Africa. It has happened before that two brothers represented South Africa at the same Olympic Games, but never ever have there been four brothers who did it together.

Âť Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

All the sporting action HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

in one MAGAZINE

CRICKET | RUGBY | WATER POLO | SOCCER | HOCKEY | BASKETBALL | SWIMMING | TENNIS | ATHLETICS | SURFING | NETBALL

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: ROWING

Lawrence Charles

Matthew

James

If the Brittain brothers could be the first to do so, it would be very special. Described as the ‘royalty’ of rowing in South Africa, the whole family, dad, mom and four brothers, are passionate about rowing and they keep on setting higher standards. Matthew won a gold medal in the men’s lightweight coxless four event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. His brother, Lawrence, is a former a gold medal winner at the World under-23 Championships.

Their dad, David Brittain, just missed out on qualifying for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. To top it all mom, Danielle, regularly helps out as team doctor for the national rowing squad. It is because of her medical expertise that national rowers these days have fewer ailments than in the past. James admits to having been a bit slack in the past when it came to serious rowing training, but everything changed when he watched his brother win gold at last year’s Olympic Games in London.

“Watching Matthew winning the gold at the Games, made me realise what the reward could be if you are prepared to put in the long hours.”

According to the brothers, Charles (St. Albans), could be the next real deal for South African rowing. Matthew describes him as a really driven rower.

“Charles is really hungry to succeed and I admire that.

Nowadays there are many youngsters who are willing to accept mediocrity as having been successful, but not Charles. He always strives to go one better.’’

According to Lawrence, not a day goes by without Charles telling him that one day he will be stronger, bigger and better than what he is.

“Our daily banter and rivalry motivates me to also train harder,” said Lawrence.

If everything goes according to plan, Lawrence and Charles could be teammates in the heavyweight division (rowers weighing more than 80 kg) at the 2020 Games.

Matthew and James could be teammates in the lightweight division (70 kg and lighter).

But right now Matthew is worried about his prospects of being able to compete at the highest level again.

A back injury that forced him to stop rowing this season does not seem to be getting better.

“When I was at school I did not look after myself that well and at university we did not at first have the setup that we now have. This meant that I had to do a lot of training on my own, without doing the proper stretches. So I damaged my back.”

“I have been nursing my back this season, but I am beginning to think that the writing might be on the wall for me. I will look around for some other remedies to alleviate my problem.”

“There are quite a few whackos out there. I might even resort to some not quite traditional means of recovery. Who knows, maybe something will work for me.”

“If I cannot be 100% fit, I won’t even try to qualify for the Games again. It just won’t be fair to my teammates or to me.”

“To compete at the highest level you need to trust your body and be able to train

and compete at 100 to 101%, not 99%. That last percentage is what makes the real difference in the end.

“As matters stand at the moment, I am not capable of putting in a 100% effort and this means that I might just as well not do it at all.”

According to Lawrence, one of the dreams of the brothers is to compete one day as a coxless four team at the Buffalo Regatta in East London.

“We are just waiting for Charles to become a little older before we do it.”

Lawrence had hardly finished saying that when Matthew chipped in: “We are not going to compete, we are going to win.”

And that, according to Danielle, is what she admires about her sons.

“They are not striving to be just competitive, they want to win and be the best.”

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

51

hpc COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SA SPORTS

a brighter future for

SA sports

SU

C C

“If only we had the money… If only our athletes could have the opportunity,”

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

53

Âť Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Reg Caldecott

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C GENERAL: athletics

hpc COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SA SPORTS

“Thanks to our benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, we will be able to approach Athletics South Africa (ASA) for the first time without having to ask for anything from them except to accept and support our new project.

At long last we have the money that everybody has been wishing for. We can finally begin to help young athletes fulfil their ambitions.”

According to Du Toit, the benefactor was quite specific about which athletes should receive assistance. He defined the athletes as ‘needy’, but without reference to race. Needy athletes are athletes who do not have access to decent schools or proper coaching.

“I think children from the platteland could certainly benefit from this.”

During the first year, 30 athletes born between 1997 and 2000, will receive bursaries to do their schooling at the TuksSport High School while they receive world-class coaching and complete scientific support from the hpc. The value of the bursary will amount to around R148 000 per athlete.

“Our benefactor also specified that he wanted the young athletes to receive international exposure so that they would not be total novices if they should be selected to represent South Africa at a World championship or the Olympic Games. Another major spin-off will be that, although some of the athletes might not turn out to be world beaters, they will still benefit from the good education that they will receive. This will enable them to study at universities or other educational institutions on completion of their schooling at the TuksSport High School.”

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

hpc COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR SA SPORTS

According to Du Toit their main challenge at the moment is to select the 30 athletes.

“Our aim will be to increase the intake to about 60 by 2015, and eventually to 100. We would prefer to be able to liaise with coaches and administrators in each of the provinces to identify the top candidates for the bursaries, but for this year it will not be possible. Time is really of the essence. The hpc will run talent identification camps before the end of the year.”

Lindsey Parry, head of the hpc Athletics Academy, is satisfied with the standard of the athletes who attended the two-day selection camp in Pretoria during the weekend of 24–25 August.

“It was especially encouraging for me to see that there were such wellcoached athletes from the townships. Although some of the kids who were tested were not in great shape, we did not mind. The more athletes we see, the better the chance that we will find the real talent. There were quite a few talented young sprinters but, unfortunately, there were not that many middle-and long-distance athletes. Nevertheless, one or two of those who attended did impress.”

According to Parry they prefer young track athletes who are between 13 and 16 years of age.

“But this does not mean that a talented 17-year-old has no chance of receiving a bursary. One year of quality coaching and scientific support is still better than none at all.”

There were also camps held in KwaZulu-Natal on 23 September; on 25 September in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town on 28 September.

At least 10 athletes have been identified as being in line for bursaries in Pretoria

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

GENERAL: athletics

All the candidates for the 30 bursaries have to be identified by October in order for the Academy’s Trust to have time to make their decisions. However, Parry emphasised that this does not mean that other, perhaps more talented, athletes will not be in line for bursaries later.

“We are constantly liaising with James Evans and Hendrick Ramaala from Athletics South Africa (ASA), who are in contact with the coaches in all the provinces, to help us identify new talent. Athletes will be in contention for bursaries until January. It is possible that as many as 40 athletes will eventually receive bursaries.”

Du Toit stressed that the hpc is not trying to hijack South African athletics with the academy.

“I know there will be thinking along those lines but there is no truth in it. Even though the athletes are based in Pretoria, they will still represent their respective provinces at the South African Championships. Our only aim with the academy is to try and help South African athletes to excel at the highest level.”

SIDE BAR The Academy will certainly play an important role in helping the revival of women’s athletics.

It is disconcerting that Caster Semenya, medallist in the 800 m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and Sunette Viljoen, South African and Africa record holder in the javelin, are the only South African athletes who are truly capable of competing against the world’s best at the moment.

Statistics paint an even more bleak picture of the standard of female athletics in South Africa.

Since 2007, South African senior records have been bettered only in the 800 m (once), 3 000 m steeplechace (once), long jump (once), triple jump (twice), discus (once) and javelin (on numerous occasions).

The rest of the records are all at least 10 years old. It is frightening to think that some date as far back as 1984 (Zola Budd – 4:01.81 in the 1 500 m); 1986 (Myrtle Bothma – 53.74 in the 400 m hurdles) and 1989 (Evette de Klerk – 22.06 in the 200 m).

It is also disturbing that Semenya and Tsholofelo Thipe (400 m) are the only two black South African female athletes to have competed at the Olympic Games since 1992.

There certainly have to be more capable black female athletes in South Africa.

Since 2005 Semenya and Viljoen have been the only two female South African athletes who have won medals at a senior World Championships.

For more information: www.hpc.co.za.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

57

MIND GAMES IT’S NOT A GAME ANYMORE

Professional Gaming is really sport. Protocol 1.0 Gaming has always been viewed as a hobby but never as something that you could make a living out of.

In more recent times, this notion that gaming is strictly a hobby has proved incorrect.

Internationally there are people out there who make a living from being really good at Fifa 13.

The elite gamers who play video games competitively, get to fly to different countries playing in tournaments against others, to see who is the best at games like DOTA 2 band StarCraft while earning a nice chunk of change to go along with it.

In 2013 mind sports was ratified as Category 1 in South Africa, which means that mind sports and sports are now on the same stand as more traditional sports such as rugby, cricket and soccer. What this means is that pupils in school can now earn sports colours for activities such as War Games, StarCraft and Call of Duty to mention a few.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), the federation for Board Games, Card Games, eSports, Robotics, and War Games, which has been operational since the late 90s has been hosting tournaments across the country to promote and give gamers a chance to compete against other local players.

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In more recent times, Mind Sports put together a schools league, where different schools can compete against each other as they would if they were playing rugby or netball. The National SA Schools Championships for StarCraft 2 recently took place in August.

Âť Words By: Mosa Matloga, Photos By: Mind Sports SA

Mind sports was ratified as category 1 in South Africa

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURES GENERAL: GAMING

It’s not a game anymore We asked Colin Webster, President of Mind Sports of South Africa, the following questions.

Edwin Williams, a learner from Brakpan won the online competition and was awarded automatic Gauteng School colours.

q What are the criteria for representing South Africa in gaming? criteria are simple. In order to qualify for National team a The trials, a team has to finish first in a Regional Championship, or in the top 3 (or top 20%), whichever is greater, at the Provincial or National Championships.

At the trials the best possible team is selected from those who are present and eligible to play.

Like traditional sports, players of eSports go to trials, where they are selected for a provincial team and then the national team.

Protea Colours however, are only awarded to teams that meet the requirements as laid down by the Protea Colours Board otherwise the team plays with National Federation Colours.

q Which games do the players compete in, in a test match? a Currently the following games qualify: • Dota 2

• StarCraft II • CounterStrike Global Offensive

One of the top 3 women who were at the 2013 MWEB StartCraft 2 championship will be selected to represent South Africa in the upcoming International E-Sport Federation Tournament taking place from the 30th of October to the 4th of November in Asia.

The level of gaming in South Africa is still judged as below world standards but gamers such as Robert Both aka “Pandatank” who was ranked 12th overall in StarCraft 2 internationally, are a clear indication of the rising quality in South Africa.

Schools like Pretoria Boys’ High and St. Johns College have for years been established in mind sports. With the recent ratification of mind sports in South Africa, mind sports are a legitimate option as a sport to play at high school and are slowly gaining popularity in schools countrywide.

• Alliance of Valiant Arms • Call of Duty: Black Ops II • FIFA 13 • Tekken Tag Tournament II • League of Legends out of interest; when was the first national team q Just selected and against whom did they compete? first national team for eSports was selected in 2005 for the a The World Cyber Games. The team competed against competitors from 60 other countries. Since then the MSSA has selected a national team every year.

q Who is South Africa’s top player?

Since there are many games for which we cater, there are a a number of top players. In StarCraft II, our top male gamer is Robert.

Since there are many games for which we cater, there are a number of top players. In StarCraft II, our top male gamer is Robert “PandaTank” Botha. Rb is currently a fully-paid professional. Our top female gamer for StarCraft II is Gabriela “Gabybear” Isaacs. Gaby finished second in the women’s division in StarCraft II at the 2012 IeSF World Championships, and she is still at school (SAHETI). What makes them good? Just the right amount of ambition, hard work, dedication, intelligence, and innate tactical skill.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

59

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MAX KNOX IS MAXED UP

up with Pierre Nel Are you a mountain bike collector or rider?

The owner of a Formula 1 racing car cannot claim to be a racing driver if he does not use his machine for the purpose for which it was designed.

Owning a F1 racing car and not racing it makes you a “collector”. Only when you star t competing do you become a racing driver. The same holds true when you own a mountain bike.

Since the Seventies, mountain bikes have evolved from mere bikeswith-fat-tyres to very special and purpose-built modern-day machines.

Mountain bikes are designed in such a way as to handle extreme technical challenges at high speed, whilst offering the rider optimal comfor t.

The ability to handle his mountain bike according to its design specs defines a biker – inspired by his machine, a mountain biker loves negotiating impossible climbs, extreme drops, rock gardens, ruts, off-camber corners, hairpin switchbacks and many more technical challenges with confidence.

And that requires not only a purpose-designed, well-crafted machine, but also the bike handling skills to serve your bike’s purpose.

Sticking only to gravel roads will disqualify you from being called a mountain biker. The discipline that really defines you as a mountain biker is Cross Country Olympic (XCO).

XCO is globally the most popular and also the only mountain bike Olympic discipline. It consists of a pre-marked 4-6km lap, containing various obstacles. Contestants must negotiate these obstacles by completing a specific number of laps as determined by their respective age categories.

Races are designed to occupy par ticipants for approximately 90 minutes, making it an extreme endurance event. XCO not only requires fitness and physical and mental strength, but also bike handling skills.

So, is your claim that you’re a mountain biker only defined by the type of bike that you ride, or do you also boast the skills to handle your mountain bike...?

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

“I want to completely change my focus. The future of mountain biking, actually the pinnacle of the sport, is cross-country racing, and not marathon racing,” Knox said.

He was last year’s overall winner of the MTN Series and is currently 2nd overall.

“Anyone who says that he became a cyclist to make money is stupid and talking nonsense.”

“If you want to earn a good salary, go to university and get an office job. I could have done that if I wanted to. I have matriculation exemption to go to university, but I preferred to cycle because I loved it. But I am no longer enjoying myself.”

“It feels as if I am going around aimlessly, trying to win this or that race, and this does not satisfy me. I am in a rut.One of the reasons is that the quality of local racing is not as good as it used to be when I started out. In the past you had to be prepared to really push yourself to the limit to stand any chance at all to achieve a podium finish.”

“Nowadays I am racing at a much slower pace, but I am easily winning races. I think a kind of road-cycling mentality has developed in mountain biking. Riders are not prepared to race hard any longer and I don’t want to be part of it. It is all about making easy money.”

“Don’t get me wrong. The MTN Series is very well organised and it has fantastic races, but I just don’t want to be part of it any longer. After riding the TransAlp I realised that I am not that special as a mountain biker. I still need to improve about 1 or 2% and if I just continue to race local marathons, I will not be able to improve.”

“It’s like being a big fish in a small pond. The only way for me to improve is to race internationally against faster and better riders. I discussed my frustrations with my dad. He pointed out to me that I used to be the South African cross-country champion and suggested that I should take it up again with the aim of representing South Africa at next year’s Commonwealth Games and in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.” “I am going to do just that. During the next three years I am going to focus on becoming a good cross-country rider. This I can promise. I will give it 110%. The worst that can happen is that I fail and I am not scared of that. It will definitely be better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.”

“I want to be able to look my children in the eyes one day and tell them that I really tried. I want no regrets when I am an old man. My advice to young riders is not to fall into a rut.

They should not be scared of having goals and aspirations and they should be willing to put in a 100% effort to achieve them.”

“As I have said before, mountain biking should not be only about making money. It should also be about having fun and enjoying yourself while doing it.”

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photo By: Zoon Cronje

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: MOUNTAIN BIKING

Max Knox

(Specialized) says he does not want to have any regrets the day he retires as a professional mountain biker. For this reason he has decided not to compete in the MTN ultra-race series for at least the next four years.

“Internationally cross-country racing is the only discipline that people care about.”

up

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: SASPA

SUNETTE VILJOEN Rustenburg’S True Gold

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ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: JAVELIN

If it had not been for Marina Spencer and Blackie Swart, athletics coaches at Hoërskool Rustenburg, she might never have decided to seriously take up javelin throwing.

“Sunette was a real star in athletics. She basically competed successfully in every event,” Spencer said.

Even though her javelin throwing technique at first resembled that of a cricket bowler, Blackie was convinced that Sunette had what it takes to become competitive in the event.

“The challenge was to persuade Sunette to give javelin throwing a serious go. But, because she was so good at so many other events, she was a very valuable member of our athletics team.”

“The turning point came about when she was an under-16. I gave her some tips on how to improve her throwing technique and suddenly she managed to throw farther than 32 m for the first time,” Spencer explained.

Rustenburg’S True Gold Sunette Viljoen is not only one of Hoërskool Rustenburg’s ‘premium exports’. A quick glance at her athletics CV shows that she is also one of the best women javelin throwers in the world.

“Sunette and I were both very excited, but Blackie was still somewhat sceptical.” Spencer tells us: “I made a deal with him that, if Sunette should achieve a throw of better than 35 m at a practice, she would be allowed to specialise in javelin throwing.”

And she did exactly that. In fact she threw further than 35 m. Two weeks later, at a meeting at Swartkopz, she managed to exceed 40 m for the first time.

SUNETTE VILJOEN She is currently the only South African who is ranked in the top 10 on the IAAF’s all-time list.

But her success in javelin throwing began at Hoërskool Rustenburg.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

67

SUNETTE VILJOEN Rustenburg’S True Gold

“It was an honour for me to work as a coach with Sunette. She had a good sense of humour and hardly ever complained. When she started laughing, you could not help but join in,” Spencer says proudly But, above all, she is a very driven athlete. She really wants to succeed,” Spencer says proudly.

Last year (2012) Viljoen booked a place for herself as one of the all-time greats of javelin throwing when she let rip with a massive throw of 69.35 m at the Diamond League Meeting in New York.

This was the fourth time in three years that Viljoen bettered the SA and African javelin record.

What makes it even more impressive is that in the history of women’s javelin throwing only five athletes can boast with better distances.

Since 2008 Viljoen has bettered her personal best distance by an astonishing 7.11 m. She has also become an avid ‘medal collector’.

These are the only five athletes who are able to throw farther than Viljoen.

Barbora Spotakova (Czech Republic) 72.28 m World record holder

Maria Abakumova (Russia) 71.99 m Olisdeilys Menendez (Cuba) 71.70 m

“Dad’s speed and mom’s agility combined for a good genetic make-up,” explains Viljoen.

70.20 m

On her sports CV at Hoërskool Rustenburg can be seen that when sporting talents were handed out Viljoen received second and even third helpings.

69.48 m

At school she participated in netball, athletics, tennis, cricket and cross-country running. She received provincial colours in netball, athletics and cricket.

Christina Obergfoll (Germany)

Trine Hattestad (Norway)

VILJOEN’s MEDALS She won gold medals at the: African Championship in Nairobi 2010 Commonwealth Games 2006 & 2010 World Student Games 2009 & 2011 And won a bronze medal in at the: IAAF World Championship in Daegu

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It is not surprising that Viljoen developed into one of the world’s best athletes. She comes from a talented sporting family. Her dad used to play rugby for the former Western Transvaal (then known as the ‘Mielieboere’) and her mom was a provincial netball player for the former Southern Transvaal.

2011

Viljoen’s other passion is cricket. She was a brilliant all-rounder who played provincial women’s cricket for North West at the age of 13. Her highest score was 185 runs against Griquas and her best bowling figures were 5/8, also against Griquas.

In 2000, at the age of 16, she was selected to represent South Africa in a test match against England, as well as for the Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

After the World Cup she was dubbed the best fielder of the tournament. She eventually played 17 one-day games for South Africa.

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Fred Zeilinga A new flyhalf is born

and in the same year, was also selected for the under-18 KZN Craven Week side.

The former Glenwood pupil played for the under-18 Craven Week side in 2010 before heading to the Sharks academy. Zeilinga has represented the Sharks across all the age groups, from under-13 to under-21 and now is fulfilling his dream of playing for the senior side.

He made his first class debut against the Bulls in the 2011 Vodacom Cup where he helped his team to a 30-19 victory. He was promoted to starting flyhalf in the 2012 Vodacom Cup. The impressive young man also finished as top scorer in the 2012 under-21 Absa Currie cup, scoring 154

points in 10 appearances. Zeilinga keeps going from strength to strength, notching up over 100 points in the 2013 Vodacom Cup. Although still finding his feet in the Absa Currie Cup and senior side, Zeilinga shows plenty of promise and if his record thus far is anything to go by, he will be one to watch out for in the not too distant future, possibly giving Springbok Pat Lambie strong competition for the Sharks No 10 Jersey at Super Rugby level.

We caught up with his former Coach Sean Erasmus at Glenwood Boys High, to get his opinion on his former player.

A new Flyhalf is born

» Words By: Mosa Matloga (HSSM), Photos By: Sharks Rugby Union

Hailing from the KZN rugby powerhouse Glenwood Boys High, the young Fred Zeilinga is making a name for himself in the 2013 Currie Cup tournament.

Matriculating in 2010, the 20-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in the Sharks final match against the EP Kings, topping it all off by scoring his debut try for the senior side. Since his Super Rugby debut, the man from Ladysmith has gone on to make five appearances for the Sharks in the Absa Currie Cup, starting in two matches against the Lions and Blue Bulls.

The 82 kg flyhalf has had rugby in his blood from an early age, representing KZN at the under-13 Craven Week in 2005. He went on to make the KZN under-16 Grant Khomo

Fred Zeilinga HSSM: ”How do you feel Fred has made the transition from School Rugby to pro rugby?”

Sean Erasmus: “As a school we are very proud of him and as an individual I’m extremely proud of him. Having been involved with Fred at school level and then at under-19 later and sort of see how Fred has really worked hard and then last year working with the Vodacom Cup side also.

I saw first hand with Fred, his relentless effort to work hard and be perfect at what he does. I’m extremely proud of him and this shows again what hard work does”.

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HSSM: “How do you feel he has adjusted his game from school rugby to professional level and how hard is it to bridge that gap in the professional game?”

Sean Erasmus: “Well I think as you grow up and get more involved in the structures, the game becomes more involved, more technical. You have to be more accurate and the room for error is a lot smaller. Fred has always been there but it just took someone to believe in him and I think the current coaches have done well. I Think Fred’s biggest transition is that he has worked really hard at what

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

makes him a good flyhalf, taking the ball flat and hard and also his ability to bring in a really good kicking game. At school he was a great kicker but he wasn’t as accurate as he should have been then but now when you watch him when he kicks and when he plays, he is a lot more accurate and better at executing his options.”

HSSM: “As his former coach, how do you feel his personality has helped him to get where he is?”

Sean Erasmus: “Fred has always been a humble person, set backs have never gotten

him down. When he broke his foot against Maritzburg College weeks before going to Craven Week, he looked at it as said that these things happen. He accepted it as part of the sport. He never crawled back into his shell; he put all of his effort into his game and rehab. I think that is Fred’s strong point is that he has always known that he has to work hard to earn his time and place getting to the top. With that sort of humble and hardworking attitude, it has been really great to see the success that he has gotten”

Listening ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: GYMNASTICS

to Mom

Can Take You Places

van Aswegen can be very lucky her mom had one eye for talent. Indeed, her mom spotted the supple, flexible moves at the age of four. Noting the fun Melissa was having with her ‘gymnastics moves’ her mom decided to nurture this obvious talent. Melissa was enrolled in Monkey Nastix at the age of five, and so it was that her successful gymnastics career took flight. Now, at the age of 15, Melissa is a retired gymnast and coach to the little ones wishing to follow in her footsteps.

‘Gymnastics was fun! That’s why I participated.’

The

hard work paid off and she has travelled the world doing what she loves. Visiting Zimbabwe, Phoenix, Arizona and London, England, to name but a few, has sculpted this confident young lady sitting in front of me. Having to meet with so many new people, working with them in teams, and experiencing what the world out there has to offer has most definitely broadened her horizons more than she could ever imagine. Plus, she had fun at the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, and shopping up a storm with Mom in the London shops.

Her

success didn’t come without disappointment or injuries. During her warm-up

session at Zone 6 competition in Zimbabwe Melissa snapped both bones in her front arm and again at warm up for the elite Rushmore Rose Bowl in London she suffered a sprained elbow. She had to withdraw from both competitions, but stood strong as cheerleader for her squads.

‘It was hard at times. The coaches are strict, the routines are tough, the discipline is at your own pace, and if you don’t deliver and work at it you fall behind.’

The

same goes for her school work, but Melissa has become accustomed to pressure and pacing herself in sport so she can handle the load at Moot Christian Acadamy and focus on what lies in front of her: her next goal.

After

realising that she has gone as far as she could in gymnastics - being too tall for the beam and reaching the highest level in her age category in tumbling - Melissa changed her sporting career path to polevaulting. ‘There are more opportunities in polevaulting from the age of 18 onwards, than for a gymnast. In gymnastics you peak at between 16 and 19

years, but with polevaulting you can carry on for another 10 years or so’. On being asked why polevaulting, she replied: ‘My Dad told me about Yelena Isinbayeva, the Russian World Record holder in Women’s polevaulting, and she was also a gymnast first. She is definitely my idol and if I can succeed in gymnastics, I can certainly succeed in polevaulting too.’

Melissa

started polevaulting with coach Jakes van Vuuren at University of Pretoria in December, 2012. In January 2013 she reached a height of 1.90 m, and a mere two months later she jumped her personal best of 2.90 m, which qualified her for the SA Juniors competition in East London. While she has a bit of an advantage over her fellow polevaulters, as she is trained in certain techniques, she realises that there are areas in which they are ahead of her as she is still in ‘gymnastic-mode’. Her short-term goal is to qualify for and participate in the Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 03 August 2014. From there Melissa’s objectives are to participate in the World Junior Championships, and ultimately The Olympics. This young lady is going places, as she has the will and determination to get there, and nothing is going to stop her.

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» Words By: Sonja Willemse

Melissa

Simphiwe Sithebe NETBALL CHANGED MY LIFE

NETBALL

CHANGED

Âť Words By: Jane Bramley, Photo By: Tom Roberts (Planet Netball)

MY LIFE

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ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: NETBALL

When Simphiwe Sithebe was a little girl growing up in Soweto, she had no idea of the impact netball was going to have on her life.

Sithebe was pulled in to a special programme for talented players, and the fairy tale began to come true.

Next year, Sithebe will enrol at the University of Johannesburg for a degree in either Sports Science or Business Management . . . an opportunity made possible because she has been offered a bursary to attend UJ and play netball for the university.

Photo By: Reg Caldecott

Although her school did not offer netball, Sithebe started playing the game with friends when she was about 15. One day, in true Hollywood tradition, a development coach saw her playing, and spotted something special about the teenager.

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Simphiwe Sithebe NETBALL CHANGED MY LIFE

NETBALL

CHANGED MY LIFE

Sithebe recently returned from Glasgow in Scotland, where she captained the SPAR South African Under-21 team at the World Youth Netball Championships. South Africa finished fifth, after beating Wales in the fifth-place play off, by 54 goals to 48.

Coach Dorette Badenhorst believes much of their success is because of Sithebe’s leadership.

“She’s very quiet, but she’s a natural leader,” says Badenhorst.

“She led by example at the World Championships, and I was very impressed by the way she dealt with any problems that arose. She would quietly get together with the members of her team and sort things out. The rest of the players had a lot of respect for her, and were willing to follow her without question.”

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The SPAR Baby Proteas were drawn in Pool A, which included powerhouse Australia, Fiji, Israel and Namibia.

South Africa achieved crushing victories over all the other teams, except Australia, beating Fiji 64–32, Israel 134–4 and Namibia 71–27, and going down 59–27 to Australia, to finish second in their pool and qualify to play for the top eight positions.

In the cross-pool play-offs, they came up against England, who beat them 45–33, and then beat Barbados 59–20 to gain the right to play for fifth place.

“We were very disappointed that we didn’t make the top four. We had been working so hard, attending regular training camps, and we had gone there to bring back a medal. I think we could have beaten England, but they made better use of their time in the circle than we did.

But I’m very proud that we were able to go from ninth to fifth in the world rankings.”

Sithebe fell in love with Glasgow and is hoping to be selected for the Commonwealth Games there next year.

Photo By: Tom Roberts (Planet Netball)

“I’ll be too old for the next Youth Championships in 2017 and so now I have to work hard to try and get into the SPAR Protea team. I know it’s not going to be easy.

Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy playing netball for UJ and Central Gauteng. I love netball and my teammates are like members of my family. So I’ll be playing netball for some time to come,” Sithebe smiled.

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JHB SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE

JOHANNESBURG SPAR CHALLENGE THE RACE WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE

Since the start of the SPAR Grand Prix in 2008, the Johannesburg SPAR Women’s Challenge has become known as the race where champions are made, because it is after the Johannesburg race that the winner of the SPAR Grand Prix is finally known.

In recent years, two Nedbank CGA runners, Rene Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl (formerly Van Blerk), have dominated both the Grand Prix and the Johannesburg race. Although the Grand Prix title is likely to go to Transnet runner Mapaseka Makhanya this year, Kalmer and Van Zyl have won all but one of the Grand Prix titles, with Poppy Mlambo the only other runner to claim the ultimate prize.

Kalmer has won it three times, and Van Zyl twice.

Fellow Olympians and close friends, Kalmer and Van Zyl’s histories are remarkably similar. Both started running at an early age, and both have been competing in SPAR races since their early teens. “My first race was a cross-country race when I was in Grade Three,” says Kalmer. “I came 40th, but I enjoyed it so much that I just wanted to keep on running. I started training the following year, and I have been running ever since.

“I did my first SPAR race when I was 13 – at that stage it was all about the goodie bag and the free t-shirt. The following year, when I was in Grade Nine, I came second overall, and I have been running and enjoying the SPAR races ever since.”

Kalmer is an internationally recognised athlete and as such is invited to compete in races around the world, from Japan to the United States. “I love road running. Through running, I get to see the world at someone else’s expense,” she laughs. “The first thing I do when I get to a new place is put on my running shoes and go for a run – it is definitely the way to explore a new city. “I have made so many friends through running, and I now have friends all around the world.”

Van Zyl’s interest in running was sparked by her godmother, Frances van Blerk, who started running the year Van Zyl was born.

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GENERAL: WOMEN’S ATHLETICS

Like Kalmer, Van Zyl competes around the world, and has turned her attention to road running. She has completed three marathons, all of them in London, and finished 10th in the London Marathon

“She used to give me her medals and I thought that was really cool, but after a while I wanted to win my own. I started running when I was nine and I got my first coach when I was at high school. I ran my first SPAR race in Durban when I was just 14 and finished second and I won my first SPAR race when I was 16.”

earlier this year.

“I’ll definitely be running the London Marathon again next year. London has been good to me and I enjoy the event.”

Van Zyl says the Johannesburg race, which she has won four years in a row, has always been her favourite SPAR race.

“The routes are always good, and I like running at altitude. I always run better towards the end of the year, too. I also love the vibe at the Johannesburg race, and my husband (fellow Olympian LJ van Zyl) and my family can easily come and watch me run.”

» Words By: Jane Bramley, Photos By: Reg Caldecott

The Grand Prix is well worth winning.

When it was first launched, the winner pocketed R50 000. This was later increased to R60 000, and since 2012, the winner drives away in a brand new Nissan Micra.

Kalmer was the first to win a car, and Makhanya, who is virtually assured of finishing at the top of the log on October 13, is looking forward to receiving the keys to a new car. “It’s such an awesome prize,” she laughs. “I can’t wait to show it off to my family and friends.”

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INSIGHT FOR ASPIRING ATHLETES

A privileged look inside the minds of sporting heroes » Words By: Melissa Lawrence and Monja Human

The hpc academies offer a variety sporting codes to aspiring athletes. Each sport is characterised by its own rules, which makes the sport different from others and unique in nature. Each sport draws different types of people with unique personalities, and challenges different physical and technical capabilities. For these reasons each sport also has its own unique sporting heroes. But sporting heroes have one thing in common… all of them made it to the top, which is why aspiring athletes can learn so much from them… they have really been there. This article offers a rare look inside the minds of sporting heroes so that young aspiring athletes can learn from them and also apply their advice about aspects such as confidence, self doubt, motivation, etc, to their own sporting careers.

On motivation “Serena, this game is mental. Good thoughts are powerful. Negative thoughts are weak.

Decide what you want to be, have, do and think the thoughts of it. Your vision will become your life. Hold on to the thought of what U want. Make it absolutely clear in your mind.

U become what U think about most. U attract what you think about most. Think. Do. Be.” On self confidence “Be positive. Have only positivity going through your body. Be the best. Being the best starts by acting like U R the best. Believing U R the best. Becoming the best.

Believe. Become. Serena Williams. 8× Grand Slam winner. Only U! Stay confident. U R a winner. Watch balls. Relax. Have fun. God blesses those who work hard. God blesses U, so work hard. Work, work, work.”

On determination “Tell me “No” and I’ll show U I can! Tell me “No” because I can! Tell me “No”. Go ahead, tell me. Just tell me I can’t win. Just tell me it’s out of reach. Come on, I’ll prove U wrong! Just tell me “No” and watch what happens”

Serena Williams

Professional tennis player From the book: Queen of the court (2009)

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ADVICE COLUMN: inside the mindS of sport heroes

On confidence “For an Olympic rookie I was pretty intimidated and in my nervous state I was fooled into believing a confident appearance out of the pool guaranteed success in the pool.”

On self doubt “It is difficult to deal with a private self-doubt but it can explode out of control once it becomes talked about in the media. Once so many people know about a performance fault or a technique weakness, you are regularly asked about them and they become the focus of attention rather than your positives points. The self-doubts can then grow in power until eventually you become convinced they are real, and when you enter races they are as much a part of you as your togs and goggles.”

SuSie O’Neill

Swimmer - Olympic Medalist From the book: Choose to Win (1999)

On the impact of the media “It comes with the territory that the media will focus on the highs and lows of an athlete’s career. My problem was that with little confidence and no self-belief the doubts about my race finish and bad first days of competition snowballed. I was very vulnerable and instead of ignoring the media stories, I started to believe what was being written and broadcast. By the end of 1994 I believed without question I ‘died’ in the last lap of races and I always had bad days on the first day of competition. It came to such a low point that I even publicly acknowledged my weakness in interviews.”

On Failure “…defeat follows you around like a rotten smell until the next time you win.”

John Smit

Rugby player – Captain of the Springboks From the book: Captain in the Cauldron: The John Smit Story (2009)

On training “Training is the most dependable and consistent part of life in our sport. Through thick and thin, home and abroad, good weather and bad, training is a constant.”

On winning “Nick Faldo was once asked what it felt like to win the Open and he replied, ‘I can’t tell you, you haven’t done it.’ Although I wouldn’t say that to a reporter, it’s very true. Try as I might, I can’t put into words what winning feels like. Whenever I am asked, I say that if I could accurately describe it, winning wouldn’t be worth it. It has to be so awesome, so incredible, that it is worth four years of effort to achieve it.”

Matthew Pinsent Rower – Olympic medalist From the book: A Lifetime in a Race (2004)

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Are children specialising too early?

Are our children +specialising+ in sport too early?

Nowadays more and more children specialise in one or more sport at earlier and earlier ages.

The myth is that to become a successful sportsman or woman you need to specialise at an early age.

The professionalism of sport over the past few decades has resulted in many parents believing that their child can earn millions of rands from sport if they invest in the development of their child’s talent at an early age.

The reality is that a very small percentage of individuals are able to earn a decent living from professional sport.

There are only 15 Springboks on the field at any one time compared to the number of schoolboy players. Despite all its advantages, Michaelhouse School in KZN took over 100 years to produce its first Springbok player in 2010.

Âť Words By: Mary Ann Dove

Yes, it is not only about the money involved with being a successful sports person. Many individuals derive their sense of achievement from merely representing their school, club, province or country, but to get there takes many hours and years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication. In fact as Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers and Daniel Coyle in the Talent Code suggest it is 10 000 hours or 10 years. That would indicate that if your child specialises at the age of 10 they will reach their peak at 20 years of age and from a physiological, mental, cognitive and emotional perspective that is not their peak performance time. In the majority of sports, mid-to late-twenties is considered the peak performance period.

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ADVICE COLUMN: CHILDREN’S SPORTS

There has been much debate recently around the “10 000 hour rule”. I think what is important to remember is not whether it is 8 000 hours or 12 000 hours, but the concept of deliberate practice.

In addition, it should never be forgotten that sporting talent, performance and achievement are a complex interaction between genetic endowment, experiences, opportunities, environment, parental influence, coaching, physical condition, technical skills, hard work, dedicated practice and mental ability.

So what is the best age to specialise in a specific sport?

It’s a difficult question, but let’s consider some of the issues. Children need to develop as athletes before they become specialised as players. This can be achieved by teaching children the fundamental skills required as a foundation for more complex physical activities and sports. These basic skills form the basis of “physical literacy” - fundamental movement and fundamental sport skills which permit a child to move confidently and with control in a wide range of physical activities and sports. This will allow children to partake in sport without fear of failure and therefore increase the likelihood of them beginning a new sport or continuing with one, leading to an active healthy life. In addition, having good fundamental skills provides the basis from which sporting excellence can grow. Only once the basic athletic skills have been mastered, can an athlete begin to specialise in sport-specific techniques and skills.

Physical literacy should be developed prior to the onset of the adolescent growth spurt.

These fundamental skills include the ABCs of athleticism, (agility, balance, co-ordination and speed), the ABCs of athletics, (running, jumping, wheeling/rotation and throwing) as well as swimming, sliding/skating, sending and receiving an object, dribbling, striking and rhythmic skills. Different sports and activities are better at developing one or more of the ABCs than others.

“Learning fundamental sports skills before mastering related fundamental movement skills reduces performance ability later on” (Canadian Sport for Life)

Sports can be classified as either early or late specialisation sports. Early specialisation sports include gymnastics, diving and figure skating, whilst late specialisation sports are sports such as soccer, rugby, basketball, hockey and cricket. The reason for these sports being early specialisation is that the complex skills required for them need to be mastered before puberty otherwise they are difficult to learn after physical maturation. One of the reasons being that the rate of increasing flexibility decreases after puberty. In late specialisation sports the levels required for international competition can still be achieved if specialisation takes place between 12 and 15 years of age as long as physical literacy has been achieved before adolescence. As parent it is vital that your child’s coach is not pushing them to specialise, too hard or too early. Another factor to consider is whether or not your child is an early or late developer. Each sporting code also needs to determine the best time of specialisation for optimal success.

Different studies conducted around the world report that the more successful Olympic sportsmen and women tended to specialise after the age of 15.

“Participating in a variety of sports will help a child develop other athletic skills that they would not develop if they specialised in one sport too early.

Athletic skills such as speed, balance, mental focus, jumping and reacting are all stressed differently in different sports. These skills will later transfer to the child’s primary activity, so everything a child does to become a better allround athlete will make the child a better soccer player, for instance.”

(Jennifer VanSickle, assistant professor of Sport Management, University of Indianapolis)

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Are children specialising too early?

Some +guidelines+ for parents to follow •

•

•

Boys aged 6–9, and girls aged 6–8, should participate in a wide variety of activities to develop the basic skills of agility, balance, coordination and rhythmic movement. The activities should be land-and water-based and where possible include ice/snow. There should be no specialisation in a single sport.

From ages 8–11 in girls and 9–12 in boys (i.e. the approximate onset of the growth spurt) is the important stage for developing sportspecific skills, but by playing at least 2–3 sports in different seasons. Parents should discourage focusing on only one sport throughout the year. Children should also not specialise in one specific position, stroke or technique for example batting or bowling in cricket.

Between ages 11 and 15 in girls and 12 and 16 in boys (i.e. the onset and end of the growth spurt) adolescents are ready to consolidate their sport-specific skills and begin to specialise in a single sport should they wish to do so.

+challenges+ There are a number of challenges that parents and athletes face, should specialisation in ‘late specialisation’ sports commence prior to age 10.

• • • • • •

Physical and psychological burnout One-sided, sport specific preparation Loss of diverse social contacts Loss of transferable athletic skills Greater risk of overuse and repetitive stress injuries Higher levels of pre-competition anxiety which can lead to emotional trauma • Difficulty coping with athletic failure later if they experience success at too early an age

+tips+ Should your child insist on specialising early or for those early specialisation sports here are some tips for reducing injury or burnout: • Focus on improving overall performance and developing new skills, not on winning • Make sure your child uses proper training techniques and qualified coaches • Avoid overtraining • Watch for overuse injuries, schedule regular doctor’s appointments • Never tell your child to “play/work through the pain” • Let your child choose the sports and level of participation • Make sure your child has an off season to avoid burnout

Let your child explore a variety of different physical activities and sports so they can develop the necessary skills to sustain a long-term sporting life either as a participant or a competitive athlete. By doing this your child will make the decisions that are right for them at the right time. Support them in their development and ultimate choice of a sport.

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References: Books: 1. Hemery, D. 1999. In Pursuit of Sporting Excellence. A Study of Sport’s Highest Achievers., Thompson, J. 2002. The Double Goal Coach., Gladwell, M, 2008.

2. Outliers. USA: Little, Brown and Company., Coyle, D. 2010. The Talent Code. London: Random House Articles: 3. Gould, D., Dieffenbach, K., Moffett, A. December 2001. The Development of Psychological Talent in under-S Olympic Champions.University of North Carolina,Greensboro., Dieffenbach, K., Gould, D., Moffett, A.The Coach’s Role in Developing Champions.

University of North Carolina, Greensboro.,Gibson, B. Performance implications of Physical and Mental Growth of the Young Athlete.

Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia. Coaches’ Information Service., VanSickle, J., 2006.

4. Early Sport Specialisation, Not a Good Idea. Medical News Today Presentation: 5. Fraser-Thomas, J. (Ph.D). Keeping Teens in Sport: What do we know and what should we do?School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University Electronic Sources: 6. Long Term Athlete Development.htt p://www.canadiansportf orlife. ca/resources

Q&A: Rikus Bothma

&A

WITH Rikus Bothma Who is the best player you have come up against while playing for Paarl Gimnasium?

A GOOD LEADER putS the needs of the players above HIS own needs & Always respectS HIS opponentS, no matter what.

A

That’s a tough one, but I would have to say Outeniqua eighthman, Dian Koen.

What was your favourite victory while playing for the first team?

A

The 2013 interschools against Boishaai. It‘s always a honour to play that game and to win it is special.

What are the highlights of your rugby career at schoolboy level?

A

The first one has to be being selected for the SA Schools team earlier this year and captaining the side to three victories. The second is playing for Paarl Gimnasium’s first team.

The low point?

A

Drawing our game against Outeniqua earlier in the season. It was the only game we didn‘t win this year Do you have any superstitions before a game?

A

Not really. I like to listen to some music. Chilled Afrikaans music like Bok van Blerk or Theuns Jordaan. I like their music.

As a captain, what is your definition of a good leader?

A

To set a good example. To put the needs of the players above your own needs. Always respect your opponent, no matter what.

What are your goals for the future?

A

I’m joining the Western Province rugby institute next year where I hope to play for the under-19s. If I can, I would like to study something at Elsenburg next year that has to do with agriculture. I want to farm when I‘m done with rugby.

A

It was a great experience. I learned a lot, even though there was a lot of pressure. I realised that the most important thing for me personally, is to always make sure my head is thinking straight and that I‘m focused.

Who has had the biggest influence on your rugby thus far?

Another

Craven week hero

84

A

There is no-one specific. For me, it is the players I play with. They have made me who I am.

What is your favourite food and drink?

A

Food would be some ribs on the coals. My favourite drink is probably Creme Soda.

What do you like to do away from the game? What are your hobbies?

A

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

I like to spend time with my friends. My mom and stepdad live on a farm outside Upington, so I like to work on the farm. I also like fishing, hunting and riding horses.

» Words By: : Kobus Pretorius, Illustration By: Jakes van Vuuren

Can you describe your experience being part of the SA Schools team that played three games against England, Wales and France and won all three?

REGULAR: CAPTAIN’S HUDDLE

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The Company

to be a

part of!

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to sign a contract with Specialized bicycles South Africa, to be my bicycle sponsor from the year 2013 and I believe we’ll have a long road ahead, together. I see Specialized as much more than a sponsor! Yes they definitely are my main sponsor and I like to think that I am racing under Specialized J which is a massive honour! I see Specialized to be more of a family and support structure helping to progress my career as a professional athlete. I am still very young and have just started to compete as a professional athlete. I am very lucky to have amazing people the likes of Bobby Behan, the Managing Director of Specialized Bicycles Africa and Bianca Grobbelaar, the Marketing Manager of Specialized Bicycles Africa, They were both very friendly in welcoming me into Specialized South Africa. Bobby who was also a Triathlete, understands the sport, which is really great for me! I also work very closely with Lynnwood Cyclery who looks after my bicycles, and Gert van Rensburg who is a massive help for me and always introduces me to new cool Specialized stuff.

I have been wanting to ride on Specialized bicycles for some time now as I truly believe that Specialized is in a class of its own in all aspects of cycling and cycling equipment.

Their helmets are the lightest and most effective helmets I have ever used and very easy to put on quickly, which is needed in Triathlon. Plus they have recently brought out the new ‘Evade’ helmet, which is super aerodynamic, I am really looking forward to using it!

Specialized has the most amazing cycling clothes. The range is comphy, well cut, looks slick and is a pleasure riding in, we’re talking any type of cycling apparel you can think of… you name it, Specialized makes it!

Specialized cycling shoes are so advanced. I race in the S-Works Trivent that is the most amazing and easiest shoe to quickly get your feet into. Their normal cycling shoes are also great and look super-mean. The new S-Works has just hit the SA Market and I am sure they are going to sell like crazy!

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» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photo By: Zoon Cronje

EQUIPMENT: SPECIALIZED

I AM SPECIALIZED

Anybody who knows something about cycling will tell you that a Specialized Bicycle is a one-of-a-kind bicycle. Be it a road or Mountain bike. I personally train on Specialized Venge and race on the DI2 S-Works Venge. I always get a lot of stares at the race with my awesome bicycle. I absolutely can’t wait to get some proper mountain biking done on my new Mountain bike that is on its way once my racing season finishes.

Specialized not only provides me with the best bicycles and cycling equipment but also gives me a massive support structure on so many levels, from bicycle fitting and once racing in the world Triathlon series you have all the support you’ll ever need.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Spats, scratches, sadness and sports A view from the stands

Spats, scratches, sadness and sports » Words By: Christel Raubenheimer

As a slightly below average sports player (read: I mostly suck at almost all types of physical activity), I have had to make peace with my place in sporting society rather early on in life. It is way down the bottom of the food chain, but as a spectator, it is also the best seat in the house.

I learned this lesson rather early on in life, fortunately, but several recent incidents in the local media have convinced me that too many aspiring sport stars are still battling with the concept.

If you’re too rubbish to make your chosen sports team on merit, take up chess or attend the maths Olympiad.

But for crying out loud, keep your parents out of court to get you on the team.

In the peaceful village called the Free State, which last saw serious warfare during the Anglo Boer War at the turn of the previous century, two mothers have now changed all this. They dragged each other to court after some seriously unladylike behaviour next to the tennis court.

One classy mom is accusing her former friend of insulting her precious sporting princess, and rallying bystanders against her.

Insults were made, lawyers’ letters written, and profanities used. In the news article, no mention is made of whether either of the two tennis players is any good. And no one seems to care. They will, however, be remembered as the girls whose

A view from the stands parents had to fight their petty battles next to the sporting field. This alone might be reason enough why these young Wimbledon wannabes probably shouldn’t show their faces in public again until they’re very close to retirement age.

Then there’s the curious case of a Durban father who approached the High Court after an insubordinate coach decided to drop his son from the cricket first team. For those of you seriously considering a career in the law, take note. Your untalented friends will, at some point, make you lots and lots of money. And I mean lots. The going rate for a respectable advocate (and you will usually need one of these to appear on your behalf in High Court), can vary between R8 000 and R35 000. That, my dear friends, is a lot of money. It can buy Playstations. Xboxes. Math papers.

What it can’t buy - clearly - is a place on the first cricket team. Everyone will lose, except the lawyers. They’ll make money, and you’ll still have no talent. Ever heard the expression “you are the weakest link. Goodbye.”?

You are it. Leave. Do not collect R100.

Proceed straight to jail. Or the second team, whichever applies. No court application will save you.

with such force, that it broke the poor fellow’s jaw and nose. Commendable, I hear you murmur. At least his parents didn’t have to do the fighting on his behalf. He made the team. He klapped the opponent. He did it all by himself. I say well done.

All, however, is not lost. Some guys – and girls, obviously – still make it to the big time without interference from their parents, or the courts, or wayward coaches.

Take one exceptionally talented KZN teen for example. Playing like the winner he is, this young rebel used pure, unadulterated skill to secure a contract with a major league baseball team in the USA. That, folks, is how it should be done.

Despite their obvious love of litigation, South African parents apparently still have some way to go when it comes to embarrassing their children at school.

British police recently had to use pepper spray to break up a fight at a primary school in the UK. For reasons unknown, two mothers decided to beat the crap out of each other. Not wanting to be left behind, several other parents joined the fray. It was a free for all, until the cops peppered the life out of the party.

Whether our parents don’t have it in us to dish out proper snotklappe, or whether we just have a little bit more class than the posh Brits, remains to be seen.

Finally, there is the case of a Mpumalanga chap who inexplicably got himself expelled from school rugby for two years. The action hero in question slapped his opponent

**Disclaimer** This writer does not condone violence in any form whatsoever. Nor does she approve the buying of fake IDs or exam papers. The acquisition of season tickets is allowed.

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NEWS & UPDATES: RUGBY

news & updates Prop Pierre Schoeman is fast becoming a real star for his tryscoring exploits in the Vodacom Blue Bulls under-19 team. He has scored seven tries in seven matches, twice scoring a brace.

The 19-year-old seems to reserve his special efforts for his Leopards counterparts though, as he scored twice against them

n a

in the season’s opener in Potchefstroom and another two last weekend at Loftus B. He also crossed the tryline against the Golden Lions, Free State and The Sharks. Schoeman made

m e

his debut for the team last year while still at school, and continues to be an influential member of the team. The former SA Schools captain has showed good progress

o h

since last year, building on a fantastic 2012 in which he played Craven Week, international under-18 tests

c S

for his country and Absa under-19 provincial rugby. He captained the side on three occasions as well this season.

e r r

Âť Words By: Mosa Matloga, Photo By: HSSM

e i P

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Zoe and Isabella Kruger INTERNATIONAL COACH EYES SOUTH AFRICAN SISTERS

TOP INTERNATIONAL

COACH EYES TWO

YOUNG

SOUTH AFRICAN PROSPECTS

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNALS: TENNIS

» Words By: Jack Milner, Photo By: The BLD Group

Thomas Hogstedt, one of the world’s most prominent tennis coaches, has identified two South African sisters as potential Grand Slam champions and has taken them under his wing.

The Swede, who guided the likes of Maria Sharapova, Li Na and Caroline Wozniacki to the pinnacle of their careers, was invited by Tennis South Africa to conduct a clinic in Stellenbosch last November.

At the clinic he came across the then 10-year-old Zoe Kruger who immediately caught his eye. “I saw from the first day I could transform Zoe Kruger into one of the best players in the world,” said Hogstedt.

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Zoe and Isabella Kruger INTERNATIONAL COACH EYES SOUTH AFRICAN SISTERS

He then discovered that Kruger, who hails from Pretoria, has an equally talented younger sister, Isabella, who is just eight years old. Hogstedt has an uncanny ability to recognise what it takes to turn a pre-teen into a champion as he proved when coaching Wozniacki as a 13-year-old. He took her to No 1 in the world.

“Zoe plays an aggressive game from the baseline but she can play with high spin and angles. She also likes to come to the net and serves well so she has a great all-around game and has a liking for all surfaces.�

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNALS: TENNIS

“Isabella reminds me of Martina Hingis. She plays a very fast, flat game and has great feel for the ball.

Her favourite shot is the volley but she also hits a very good drop shot,” says Hogstedt.

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Zoe and Isabella Kruger INTERNATIONAL COACH EYES SOUTH AFRICAN SISTERS

Hogstedt comes to South Africa whenever he is able but has a coaching team who works with the girls when he can‘t travel. The girls also go to Hogstedt’s facility in Sweden for training camps and he and his coaching team travel with the girls when they play on the international circuit.

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNALS: TENNIS

Zoe has no peers in her age group in South Africa which she demonstrated by winning the SA National Under-12 Championship when she was just 10 years old. Last month she reached the final of an under-12 tournament in Canada, winning five of her six matches.

“She has worked fantastically during the time since we met. When we started in November she lost to the No 42 in Canada and a month ago she beat the Canadian No 1,” said Hogstedt.

Zoe & Isabella will share their quests with us by writing a monthly diary for Game On.

Zoe also helped South Africa to a third place finish in the under-12 team championship in Canada.

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Zoe and Isabella Kruger INTERNATIONAL COACH EYES SOUTH AFRICAN SISTERS

Isabella is already regarded as one of the best eight-year-old players in the world. She reached the final of the highly regarded Little Mo tournament in the under-8 age group when she was just seven and lost the final in three sets to Russia’s No. 1 player.

news & updates

Snenhlanhla Shozi

Hogstedt knows what it takes to play at the highest level of the game. In his 14-year professional career he beat in various ATP events all 3 Swedish players who were ranked No. 1 in the world at some stage during their careers, namely Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg. Hogstedt also beat other No. 1-ranked players like Rafter, Courier, Kafelnikov and Vilas. He won the US Open Junior event in 1981 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 38 in the world.

His almost three-year coaching relationship with Maria Sharapova came to an end in July this year.

“I took Wozniacki, Li Na and Sharapova to the top. Next it will be two young sisters from South Africa – Zoe and Isabella Kruger – who I will make Grand Slam champions for South Africa!”

And, as Hogstedt says:

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16 year old footballing talent Snenhlanhla Shozi, who was recently selected for the SA under-19 girls’ soccer team, attends Grade 11 at Kloof High School where she holds a sporting scholarship. Snenhlanhla’s love for soccer started at a young age through the influence of her brothers and her own personal interest.

Snenhlanhla grew up playing soccer with her brothers and her talent has been well nurtured by the three coaches that have influenced her personal and footballing career.

Her role model as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter is Tshabalala because, as she put it, “I like his style of play, his shots, skills, and passing.”

» Words By: Mosa Matloga, Photo By: HSSM

As a coach he has worked with some of the top names in the sport, including Germany’s Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer. Hogstedt also coached the three top Swedes: Jonas Bjorkman (ranked 4), Magnus Norman (ranked 2) and Thomas Johansson (ranked 9).

INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILE: 400 M HURDLES

old Although Helene Swanepoel is only 17 years old, many older athletes can learn from her what Big Match Temperament is about.

The rise and rise of

Helene

Swanepoel » Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

Even before the South African team had left for the Ukraine, it was boldly predicted that Swanepoel would win a gold medal in the 400 m hurdles.

Earlier this year the Grade 11 pupil from Paarl Gimnasium won the 400 m hurdles at the World Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, in a new South African record time of 58.08 s.

Many a lesser athlete would have cracked under such pressure, but not Swanepoel. She was totally unfazed by all the hype.

Her performance was even more special because she didn’t allow herself to become mentally ‘rattled’ by the high expectations of the people around her.

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Helene Swanepoel another golden moment from Paarl Gimnasium

“Thanks to the support I received from my dad, Roelof, and mom, Ronel, I realized that to become all worked up about matters beyond my control would serve no purpose. All that mattered to me was running the time that I decided on beforehand.”

“Before the final I kept repeating to myself that it was just another race over 400 m and that the hurdles were the exact same height that I am used to in South Africa.”

Swanepoel won in a time of 58.08 s, a full 0.40 s faster than her previous best time. This means that she is currently ranked No. 1 on the IAAF youth rankings. Three months later a modest Swanepoel admits that she has not yet become used to the fact that she is a world champion.

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“It still feels unreal when I think about it.”

When asked to relive her ‘golden moment’ on the track, Swanepoel said the first thing she did after she finished was to look up at the electronic scoreboard.

“When I saw that I ran the time I had wanted to, I clasped my face with both hands. It was an unbelievable moment. At first I could not believe what I had achieved, but when I saw my dad’s face from between my hands I realized that it was true.

No words can describe my feelings at that moment.”

Listening to Swanepoel, it becomes clear that winning just one gold medal at a world championship is not going to satisfy her.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILE: 400 M HURDLES

“The next World Junior Championship will be held in Eugene, Oregon. Even though I will probably be a year younger than most of my rivals, I want to make a race of it. I will treat it as just another 400 m hurdles race.

The only difference is that it will be held in a different country.”

Athletics is not the only sport in which Swanepoel excels. She used to be a competitive swimmer who won a silver medal in the 50 m butterfly at a national championship two years ago. At the same championships she also came 4th in the 50 m freestyle.

Because her training schedules for swimming and athletics clashed, she was forced to make a choice.

“I chose athletics, but if I should sustain an injury that would prevent me from running, I will immediately start swimming again.”

“It’s just long enough for me to reach my top speed.”

She is also an adept 400 m runner. Her best time over 400 m is 54.44 s.

According to Roelof Swanepoel, his daughter Helene’s coach, the biggest challenge from now to next year will be to improve on her hurdles technique. “If we can do that, Helene will certainly be able to run faster times.” Swanepoel is quite apologetic that she has no role models other than her parents, sister Marina, and friends.

“I try to take the best from the people around me, to become a better person myself.”

Marina Swanepoel is also a promising athlete. She received an athletics bursary to study in South Alabama, USA.

“I owe much to Marina.

She is the one who persuaded me to run the hurdles.”

Swanepoel reckons that 400 m is the perfect racing distance.

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Grant Johnson Off the Ball

Welcome to our monthly soccer forum, where we will be discussing current soccer developments, whether they be good initiatives or problems in the game. I am Grant Johnson and I have 20 years of experience in South African soccer as a player and a coach with Club and Country.

Soccer development is a topic we’ve

that are currently unemployed, but

Bafana Bafana. There has always

all complained about over the years.

have the experience and knowledge

been a huge gap between junior

There have been no real success

that is not being utilised. SAFA could

soccer and the Professional leagues.

stories of talent scouting or player

subsidise these ex-players to develop

The new Varsity Cup is now televised

development in the youth systems

kids in a specific region. They could

live on SuperSport, which is well

around South Africa. The top teams

all be given an area with a certain

presented and even the marketing

in the PSL have academies but that

number of schools in which the onus

aspect is done professionally. This

is only beneficial to a select few kids

is on them to ensure development,

will ensure that the league is here

that are lucky enough to get in. The

coaching

to stay and will develop into a very

net needs to be spread a lot wider as

schools.

there are thousands of talented kids around the country that are being missed and their talents will never be groomed or seen.

and

support

in

these

strong league that will be a feeder to

On a more positive note, I am very pleased to say that at last the Universities have put together a soccer league. This is the perfect

the professional ranks. Companies will be willing to sponsor and get involved, which is fantastic news for young players, coaches and clubs.

I will follow up and update you on

In my opinion, schools are the

platform for kids just out of school

perfect platform to develop these

to play at a competitive level and be

kids. More needs to done at school

seen the coaches and scouts from

level, with proper coaching and

top clubs. I have no doubt in my

Yours in football.

development

and

mind that a number of the players

Grant Johnson

talent that these kids have. We have

now playing in the Varsity Cup, will

hundreds of ex-professional players

go on to play in the PSL or even for

of

the

skills

developments in this league in future columns.

Off the Ball With Grant Johnson & Shaun Dafel

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Hein Kriek The Caring Coach

The Caring Coach 102

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

REGULAR: COACHING CLIPBOARD

When it comes to rugby at school level these days, winning is all that matters.

Or is it?

Âť Words By: Kobus Pretorius

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103

Hein Kriek The Caring Coach

However, this point of view is not shared by Hein Kriek, coach of Paul Roos Gimnasium’s first rugby team, and the mastermind behind Western Province’s successful campaign in this year’s Craven Week.

Kriek (36), a biology teacher at Paul Roos, believes that there is more to schoolboy rugby than scoring tries and making tackles.

He wants to invest in his players and help each one to become the best player he can possibly be.

There’s more to rugby than playing the game

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

REGULAR: COACHING CLIPBOARD

His coaching philosophy reads:

“I give you the tools, but it is up to you to implement them on the field. I like structure, but not too much of it, especially at the level at which I’m coaching now. I like to think ‘outside the box’. I think about the game in different ways. If I feel it’s necessary, I will do stuff that other people might consider too crazy. Try it. It might work, and you’ll never know if you didn’t try. Yes, results are important, but ultimately I want to look back one day and say, I taught him some of the stuff he knows and is doing now. I want to send a well-balanced player into the world of rugby. I believe that this approach will yield results and that is what it’s about for me,” Kriek says.

Kriek was born in Malelane in the Lowveld, and matriculated at Nelspruit High School.

His first coaching job was at Gerrit Maritz High School in Pretoria North, after which he moved down to Cape Town to become the head of rugby at Milnerton High School. He began to coach the school’s first team in 2006 and continued to do that for three years. When he left the school, the number of rugby teams had grown from 5 to 12.

Kriek has had a special experience at the Craven Week, where his team first beat the Blue Bulls quite convincingly, before edging out the Lions for the unofficial title.

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Hein Kriek The Caring Coach

“I took a massive gamble in the first game against the Pumas by playing the fringe players, but it paid off and we managed to clinch the game in the second half,” Kriek recalls.

I could sense during the opening minutes against the Bulls that the players were not going to allow last year’s result to be repeated.

We bullied them in the first scrum of the game, and it was at that moment that I knew we were going to beat them.”

Western Province kept a low profile when they were not playing and they never panicked once, neither on nor off the field.

Kriek has ambitions beyond coaching school rugby. Even though Paul Roos had a disappointing season in 2013, he plans to stick around for another year or two and put even more effort into the job.

“I want to coach at professional level,” Kriek admits. “I don’t want to teach for the rest of my life. The only reason I am still teaching is to coach rugby. Looking at next year, I would like to apply for an SA Schools coaching position.

“It is a great place to represent your country and to see if you can do a job there. We’ll have to see what happens. If there’s an opening somewhere, I’ll look into it. I would like to stay at WP, if there’s a place for me, but you have to wait for your chance. Hopefully there will be a place for me here.”

THE caring coacH 106

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Sabelo Ndlovu African Junior Athletics Champion - Mauritius

1 Âť Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Reg Caldecott

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INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILE: TRIPLE JUMP

By winning gold in the triple jump at the African Junior Athletics Championship in Mauritius on Sunday (8 September), Sabelo Ndlovu showed that you can’t keep a good man down. His winning jump of 15.92 m was a meeting record. More importantly, however, he improved his personal best by 40 centimetres and it was also the fifth best attempt ever by a South African junior athlete.

What made Ndlovu’s performance special is the fact that he was not able to train or compete for nearly 18 months. Danie Cornelius, Tuks Athletics Manager, said Ndlovu was injured shortly after he represented South Africa at the World Youth Championships in Lille, France, in 2011.

“The next he jumped competitively was when he competed in the Zone 6 Youth Games in Lusaka in December 2012.”

u v s i o l d h l d s o N p g m o u j yt a w There he finished third with a best jump of 15.28 m.

The South Africans won a total of 24 medals (7 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze).

Constant Pretorius (400 m hurdles – 51.08 s), Duwayne Boer (long jump – 7.58 m), Megan Wilke (javelin – 47.42 m), Lezaan Jordaan (shot put – 15.07 m), Gerhard de Beer (discus – 55.58 m) and Tebogo Mamathu (100 m – 11.98 s) are the other athletes who won gold.

South Africa’s other medal winners were:

For

Silver: Geraldine Duvenhage (discus – 42.00 m – shot put – 13.47 m) Anel Oosthuizen (5 000 m walk – 25:39.44) Girls 4 x 100-relay (51.08 s) Margo Coetzee (hammer throw – 49.66 m) Janet Seeliger (long jump – 6.00 m) Megan Wilke (high jump – 1.60 m) Duwayne Boer Reinhard van Zyl (javelin – 69.73 m) Tiaan Smit (110 m hurdles – 14.30 s) Bronze: Duwayne Boer (triple jump – 15.13 m) Mercia Venter (100 m hurdles – 15.04 s) Ruan Combrinck (shot put – 17.08 m) Boys 4 x 100-relay (41.01 s) Girls 4 x 400-relay (3:57.78) Zandri Bailey (javelin – 46.30 m) Fana Mofokeng (200 m – 21.62 s) more Information Philippa van der Merwe (100 m – 12.16 s) Visit Timetronics Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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Sharon & Harry Geggus A FAMILY EVENT

“Swimming is a sport that teaches you all about self discipline and has good physical rewards,” – SHARON

Swimming A F amil y E vent

Being dunked into a swimming pool at the age of four turned out to be a life-changing experience for Tillie Geggus. Surviving this early ‘baptism’ led to the 14-year-old now dreaming about representing Great Britain at a World Championship or the absolute ultimate, the Olympic Games.

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILE: SWIMMING

To say that swimming is her passion would be an understatement.

Geggus lives to swim. And getting up really early in the morning four times a week to start training at five is no problem. Geggus said her introduction to swimming was quite dramatic because at first she was quite scared of water.

Geggus’s favourite stroke is butterfly and her favorite event the 200 m butterfly.

Her time of 2:54 s is still an East Region under-10 record. Geggus is also a more than capable of 400 m individual medley swimmer however she is now switching her focus to the 800 m freestyle and open water swimming. Last year, competing in an open water swimming event for the first time,

she won a bronze medal in her age group category.

“I would love to represent Great Britain in the future, but I am realistic. I know that a lot of hard work has to be put in to do that. Currently I am being coached by Alan Mitchell, who is a well respected, not to mention fantastic-coach.”

Her brother, Harry (17), who is also a member of Thurrock Swimming Club in Essex, used to be a rather a competitive swimmer too, mostly just swims for enjoyment now.

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt

“My first swimming teacher, Debbie Grix, had to literally drop me into the pool when I was four as I refused to go in by myself. Actually I owe a lot to her because she taught me everything I know about swimming and always found ways to keep me motivated. One of

the big perks in being a dedicated swimmer is that it allows me to eat what I want and still keep a good swimmer›s figure.”

Harry used to be a competitive swimmer but now mostly just swims for enjoyment.

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Sharon & Harry Geggus A FAMILY EVENT

“I currently train four times a week for two hours.”

“I did not participate in any other sport until six months ago when I took up freestyle gymnastics. My favourite stroke is breaststroke and my best event is 100 m and 200m breaststroke.

I also compete in the 200 m individual medley. The highlights of my swimming career were being Essex champion in all three breaststroke events for three years running. I am still unbeaten in the pool within our county. I have also participated in

National Speedo Leagues and my highest achievement was going to Nationals as part of a 100 m relay team. Due to studying and part-time work commitments I now swim for fitness reasons and will take part in the occasional swimming events in the future,” Harry explains.

His mother, Sharon Geggus, makes no secret of the fact that she is proud of her children’s swimming achievements.

“As parents, we have to have so much commitment to get up the hours we do and the time that swimming takes up but if it’s something your children love and want to do, then you encourage them as much as you can.”

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“We may have to get up at 4am in the morning but we are not the ones who then have to swim for two hours. The most rewarding thing in the world is seeing the smile on your kids’ faces when they achieve what they want to achieve and to have medals hanging from every possible place in the house.

To say it’s all worth it, is an understatement.”

INTERNATIONAL SPORTING PROFILE: SWIMMING

FUN FACTS ABOUT

SIDE BAR

Over 50% of world-class swimmers suffer from shoulder pain

Swimming strengthens the heart and lungs • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

Swimming helps reduce stress

The bikini swimsuit was named after a US nuclear testing site in the South Pacific called Bikini Atoll.

The average person produces 25 000 quarts of saliva in his or her lifetime — that’s enough spit to fill two swimming pools.

The most popular freestyle stroke is crawl, considered the fastest stroke.

An hour of vigorous swimming will burn up to 650 calories. It burns off more calories than walking or biking.

Swimming works out all of the body’s major muscles.

Water’s buoyancy make swimming the ideal exercise for physical therapy and rehabilitation or for anyone seeking a low-impact exercise.

Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise because you are moving against the water’s resistance, which is over 10 times that of the air.

Over 50% of world-class swimmers suffer from shoulder pain.

The slowest Olympic swim stroke is breaststroke, which is also the oldest form of stroke.

Ancient drawings and paintings found in Egypt depicting people swimming date back to 2500 BC. Swim fins were invented by Benjamin Franklin.

Swimming first became an Olympic event in 1896.

Swimming in the Olympics started as a men’s event only but women were able to participate starting in 1912.

After World War I and the departure of “Long John” style swimming costumes, interest in competitive swimming grew. Standards improved and training became essential.

The first woman to swim the English Channel is Gertrude Ederle, who was still a teenager when she did the crossing in 1926.

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»W

ord

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QUINTON DE KOCK WILL HE WEAR MARK BOUCHER’S GLOVES

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Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: CRICKET

Who will

finally wear

Mark Boucher’s wicket-keeping

gloves?

When Dave Richardson retired in the early nineties,

Boucher was the firstchoice wicket-keeper

and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers SA ever had. He scored 5 515 runs in 147 tests, took 532 catches and 23 stumpings. In 295 ODIs he scored 4Â 868 runs, with 403 catches and 22 stumpings.

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QUINTON DE KOCK WILL HE WEAR MARK BOUCHER’S GLOVES

When Bouch suffered a serious eye injury in 2012, it gave the national selectors a selection headache.

Thami Tsolekile was groomed to take over after he was given a national contract in 2012 before the tour of England. ”Yes, Thami wouldn’t be getting a national contract if we did not think he was the successor,” said selectors chairman Andrew Hudson at the time. But, despite his solid wicket-keeping and batting (in local cricket), he appears to be out of favour. AB de Villiers was given a chance and he impressed. But, he is captaining the ODI side, is a brilliant fielder and is suffering from back problems, although he says “It’s not really the wicketkeeping”. For some unknown reason neither Heino Kuhn, nor Daryn Smit or Dane Vilas, are groomed to take over.

Qu de int Ko on ck

That leaves the selectors with Quinton de Kock …a real gem that needs some polishing.

Quinton de Kock

Photo By: Foto24

Born: 17 December 1992 Batting: Left-handed batsman International career: ODIs: 7 Runs: 132 Highest score: 31 Average: 18.85 T20s: 6 Runs: 70 Highest score: 28* Average: 17.50

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ATHLETE PROFILE FEATURE: CRICKET

Born in 1992, this talented younger has already played for the SA ODI and T20 teams. He also represented the Hyderabad Sunrisers in the Indian Premier League, the Highveld Lions, SA Invitation XI and the SA under-19 squad at the ICC under-19 World Cup in Australia.

He was spotted at King Edward VII High School in Johannesburg, the alma mater of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie.

Quinton was the fourth highest run-maker at the under-19 World Cup after scoring a total of 284 runs at an average of 48.33. This included a 95 off 131 balls against Bangladesh, 126 against Namibia and 50 against New Zealand. He also performed well behind the stumps with five dismissals (2 stumpings and three catches) against England.

After the tournament, former Australian batsman and exIndian cricket coach Greg Chappell said Quinton ”is a man to watch out for in the future”.

Quinton made his international T20 debut in December 2012 against New Zealand. He scored an unbeaten 28 off 23 balls and took two catches. He trained and was guided by Boucher and promoted to the opening spot with Smith.

However, his under-19 coach, Ray Jennings, told Sports Illustrated last year that De Kock was not ready to play for SA yet. “There are so many wicket-keepers who have gone through my hands who have shown that they have the talent, and in my opinion he’s not ready, so I’m not sure why his name keeps coming up.”

The legendary Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri described De Kock as “a young man… the lad still has milk on his face.”

A final word from national coach Russell Domingo: “He didn’t struggle with the step up to international cricket in the short time I worked with him. He does need to be monitored and managed quite closely. We need to sit down with him and talk to him about staying grounded and humble in his development.”

Source: ESPNcricinfo.com

Game On Magazine, October: Issue 01, 2013

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: DISCUS & NFL

a

d d r e Be

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Ger h

Gerhard de Beer, one of South Africa’s most talented discus throwers, is living life in the fast lane. He flew in from Arizona at the end of August to represent South Africa at the African Junior Championships in Mauritius.

» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photos By: Dr Henry Kelbrick

Three days after having won a gold medal, he was on his way back to Arizona where he is studying at the moment.Just before he left, De Beer emphasised that he will have to do some serious studying when he is back at the Arizona University. “They are really serious about your studies. If you fail it’s all over, you’re on your way back home.”

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Gerhard De Beer FROM DISCUS TO NFL

This is the last thing De Beer wants. He has dreams of making it big as a discus thrower, as well as perhaps becoming a gridiron player. De Beer’s passion for gridiron began while he was playing TV games.

throwing technique. Luckily I am still young.”

When the opportunity arose for him to study in the USA, he immediately decided that he was going to try out the real thing, which he enjoyed very much. He started out as part of the defensive team, but he has now been moved to offensive.

In 2011 he won a bronze medal at the World Youth Championships and a gold medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games. A year later he won a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships. He is the South African under-18 record holder (67,44 m) and is ranked 4th on the all-time list for South African junior athletes with a throw of 61,64 m. De Beer is quite disappointed with his winning throw of 55,58 m in Mauritius.

“At the moment I play tight end, which is exciting because although I have to block at times, I also get opportunities to run with the ball.”

“There’s no excuse. For me to throw 55 m in an international competition is just not on. I am capable of throwing much further.”

According to De Beer his American teammates are quite accommodating of the ‘boerseun’ from Africa.

He is currently 18th on the IAAF junior rankings with a throw of 58,75 m. De Beer will be writing a monthly diary for Game On to keep us informed about the progress he makes in gridiron, as well as in his discusthrowing career.

“They find my heavy Afrikaans accent quite funny.”

De Beer is realistic about his career as a gridiron player.

“I don’t expect to get any game time this season because I still have much to learn about the game and its tactics. I take the rule book with me wherever I go and, when there is a free moment, I try to read a few pages.”

He was quite chuffed that the team won their first game 35–0 while he was in Mauritius. As far as the discus is concerned, De Beer is hopeful that he might get an opportunity to represent South Africa at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

“Everything will depend on how quickly I will be able to master the changes that my coach is going to bring about in my

Gerhard De Beer will update us in a monthly diary for Game On about his experiences.

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PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: DISCUS & NFL

SIDE BAR

Other South Africans playing in the NFL: Cape Town-born Jerome Pathon played wide receiver in 99 NFL games and scored 15 touchdowns in his career that spanned 8 years. He played for three teams, namely the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Most notably, he was drafted by the Colts in 1998 along with Peyton Manning. He last played in the NFL in 2005 and is currently a coach at the University of South Florida.

Linebacker Ezra Butler had a less spectacular career in the NFL. He was signed by the Saints in 2011 after unsuccessful stints in the practice squads of the 49ers and the New York Jets. However, he did win two championships with the Las Vegas Locomotives who played in the minor United Football League.

South African sports fans may not readily recognise the name Gary Anderson, but he could probably have been the country’s most successful sports export and certainly the country’s finest contributor to American football.

He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL draft before being cut from the squad, which led to his being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because of his remarkable kicking accuracy, he was nicknamed ‘Mr. Automatic’ at the Steelers. He is noted as a pioneer for accuracy in the NFL. His career success rate for kicks at goal stands at 80.1%, which is the second best in NFL history.

Anderson played in the NFL for 23 years. This is phenomenal considering that the average NFL career spans 3 to 5 years. He is one of only three men, including Morten Andersen and George Blanda, to have played in over 300 career games in the NFL. In 2000, he became the highest points’ scorer in NFL history. His record of 2 434 points stood until 2006 when it was broken by Morten Andersen.

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Wian Sullwald Junior Triathlon World Champ

Wian SulLwald Some athletes might feel quite happy with a 20th place finish the first time they compete at a World Under-23 Triathlon Championship. However, Wian Sullwald has good reason not to be one of them. Being a former world junior champion means that he knows he is good enough to beat the world’s best.

“I guess that to finish 20th at a World Championship is not really a bad result, but I am disappointed. I know I am capable of doing better.”

Pierre le Corre (France) won the under-23 world title in London three weeks ago. Fernando Alarza (Spain) was second and Declan Wilson (Australia) third. Le Corre’s winning time for the 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle and 10 km run was 1:42:57. Sullwald finished 20th in a time of 1:45:09. Sullwald’s medal hopes literally ‘sank’ the moment he was ‘dunked’ by another athlete during the swim.

“An athlete to my right swam right over me, pushing me under the water in the process. I struggled to get to the surface again because, within seconds, a few more athletes swam over me. I had a panic attack and a big adrenaline rush at the same time. It was so bad that I had to stop for a few seconds to recover and by then it was all over for me.

You don’t get any second chances at a World Championship. If you miss the lead group, you have to play catch-up for the rest of the race.

My energy levels were quite low when I started the run, but I forced myself to dig deep for one last big effort. It paid off, because I managed to pass quite a few athletes on the run.I was really disappointed afterwards. I could not help wondering why I had to have such bad luck in the one race that really mattered.

The fact that I continued to fight until the finish was definitely a mental victory for me.”

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» Words By: Wilhelm de Swardt, Photo By: Zoon Cronje

For a moment I considered quitting, but I am glad I didn’t. I had to prove to myself that I could overcome a setback in an important race. I really hammered the cycling, but it was to no avail. I just could not catch up with the leaders.

PERSONAL ATHLETE JOURNAL: SWIMMING

Junior Triathlon

World Champion Sullwald will compete at a World Cup event in Mexico on 6 October before taking a well-deserved break. Last year Sullwald made international triathlon history in Auckland, New Zealand by becoming the first Afrikaans-speaking world champion. With his all-round performance, he ensured that he won the ITU Triathlon Junior World Championship.

It was the first time that a South African triathlete had won a medal at a World Championship in one of the elite categories and not just the age group categories. Lindsay Parry, his coach at Tuks High Performance Centre, does not doubt for one minute that Sullwald has what it takes to become one of the world’s best. According to those in the know, Sullwald’s biggest asset is his hunger to succeed and his refusal to accept defeat. Once he has set himself a goal he will go all out to achieve it, taking any setbacks in his stride.

Sullwald’s upward march through the international triathlon rankings proves that Parry’s faith in his protege is not unfounded. This is the first season that he has competed for ranking points. In January he was ranked about 240th and is now 72nd.

Sullwald will be one of the athletes who will write a diary for the next 12 months for Game On about his trials and tribulations as an international triathlete. When asked how he became a triathlete, Sullwald said that he started out as a swimmer when he was about seven years old.

“I was suffering from asthma and somebody suggested that I take up swimming.

Later on I also started to run. I first participated in triathlon when I was 13 years old because I was looking for a challenging sport. I have a family history in sport: my father was an athlete, and both of my parents are cyclists. My parents have had the most influence on my sporting career, as they have always supported me.”

Wian Sullwald will share triathlete escapades with us by writing a monthly diary for Game On.

Javier Gomez (Spain), three time senior world champion and Jan Frodeno (Germany), 2008 Olympic Champion, are Sullwald’s role models.

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