Tarryn takes on the world
Tarryn Keuler is the only women's ice hockey player from KZN to have been selected for the South African team.
LOCAL ice hockey player, Tarryn Keuler, will be travelling to Bulgaria on 28 November to take part in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Champs from 4 to 9 December. She is the only player from KZN to have been selected for the South African team.
Tarryn’s interest in the sport was piqued the age of 14, when she saw boys playing a game of ice hockey in Vereeniging and decided she wanted to give it a try.
She started playing in the girls ‘ team and when she was 15, was selected for her first SA squad. She said she moved back to KZN in 2013 and heard of a club in Durban and got in touch so she could continue playing the sport in her new home town. She said her club, DurbaKnights, is very supportive of her and proud that she is representing the province and the country.
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“I was selected for the World Champs in 2014 in Mexico City, which was a great experience and it was nice being a rookie! Our team came second that year and I will never forget the atmosphere. It was amazing. I did two tours in my Grade 12 year in 2015, and travelled to Hong Kong and Bulgaria. I didn’t see much of the countries as we were busy with games, but it was nice being around the different cultures, “ she said.
Tarryn was selected as most valuable player on the Hong Kong tour, the youngest player ever to have won this title.
“I was overwhelmed and very proud of myself, it was a great achievement. My mom came with on both tours and it was great to have her there, especially when I won the award. She is my biggest fan. I have tried to get her onto the ice, but she is not interested,“ said Tarryn.
From this amazing experience, Tarryn went on to be selected for the World Champs in Tai Pei, China, in 2016. She said this was a good tour but was not her greatest as she had finished school and was trying to find her feet. She is now going on her fifth tour and is looking forward to taking part.
“Three quarters of the team are young, around 15 years old, and are mainly from Western Province and Gauteng. I am the only KZN girl this year. I am excited about the trip and have been working hard. I do fitness three times a week and I also play soccer and hockey twice a week. It’s just go, go, go all the time! “ she said.
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“I would love to work towards possibly being captain of the SA team in the future, and as I have a British passport, I’d love to go to the UK to play there, as I would still be able to represent SA in competitions if I did. I am passionate about ice hockey, I couldn’t picture my life without it!“ she said.
Tarryn is an all-round sporty woman, and enjoys her work as a coach at Kloof High School, where she takes PE, soccer and touch rugby.
“I do like to relax, and I love mosaicing and crafts, which I find very therapeutic, as well as watching TV. I also love hanging out with my friends, “ she said.
If anyone is willing to help with sponsorship for the tour, they can contact Tarryn on 072 225 3300 or tazzkooler22@gmail.com.
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