A sudden death loss 3–2 against New Zealand was the only thing that separated SA’s u.24 underwater hockey girls’ team from a gold medal at the recent World Age Group underwater Hockey Cham- pionships in Sheffield, England.
Pamela Mackor (coach) and Nicole Smit (player) were two Potchefstroomers involved in the SA u.24 team who managed to earn a bronze medal place at the championships. They recovered from the semi-final disappointment against New Zealand to obtain a 4–2 win against their hosts, Great Britain, in the battle for the bronze.
“I think we gelled well and, if we had beaten New Zealand, I’m sure we would’ve taken the gold medal. It was a matter of narrow margins but that is what happens in this sport,” he said.
According to Smit, she would like to follow in her mentor, Mackor’s footsteps and pursue coaching in the future.
“I want to start heading in that direction. I would really enjoy it, having already participated as a player for the past five years,” she said.
