“My true colours and personality really shine when I am playing sports,” said Hannah Shirley, a 17 year old who has been chosen as a member of the U19 South African softball team competing in the USA in late July.
To help raise funds for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Hannah will host two exciting events in May.
The first is an evening of fun at the Keg and Trout in Hillcrest from 6pm on Thursday, 11 May. It will cost R100 a person and this includes a meal, a drink and live entertainment.
The second fund-raiser is a Barnyard-style event and you can bring along your own picnic and drinks to the St Mary’s DSG hall and be entertained by the fantastic Gee Jays on Saturday, 27 May.
There will be spot prizes and tickets will cost R150 per adult and R100 per scholar.
The St Mary’s DSG learner has tried to take part in as many sports as possible but was forced to knock the list down down to just hockey and softball as there simply weren’t enough hours in a week.
Even with just the two sports she has a full calendar which includes training six days a week for softball, finding the time for hockey and of course her school work.
It is when she walks onto a sportsfield that she feels she truly comes alive.
“Softball is an extremely competitive sport that keeps my mind active, constantly challenges me and there is always more to learn,” she said.
“I become completely stress-free. It takes me away from my day-to-day life and it is a place where I can show who I truly am and what I can offer. I am not an individual player and my team is my pride as they will back me up and, it may be cliche, but my teammates really do become like my family.”
She is hoping to go to Clearwater Florida in the USA where teams from more than 20 countries will compete in the 2017 WBSC Junior Softball World Championship.
Besides it being her first trip overseas, she said what she looks forward to most is meeting people from other countries and competing against others who live and breathe the sport.
At the event she will compete against girls who are two years her senior but this doesn’t deter her.
“I will be prepared and ready for anything that is thrown my way. I have always played alongside people who are older than me and I’m not nervous to be taking on a group of challengers from across the globe,” said the passionate softball player.
When she isn’t on the softball pitch, she spends the spare time with her family or her friends.
She also coaches hockey at Madsen’s Hockey Academy in Westville or Kloof for all age groups.
“I would like to thank my parents for their support, all of my coaches and my teammates throughout the years. A special shout out must be made for Jason Larkins, my first provincial coach, as he lit the match for who I am today,” said Hannah.
To secure a booking for the events, send an e-mail to lorenshirley3@gmail.com or SMS 082 610 5161.
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