Jaundré Els, a matric learner at Hoërskool Florida has been taking the sport world by storm.
During the school holiday in March and April, Jaundré participated in the Junior Athletics South Africa (ASA) meet in Potchefstroom, which included 10 events in two days. He finished in fourth place overall in the Decathlon for Men U20. The following week he took part in the Indoor Netball Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), representing Western Gauteng Mix U19.
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“Our team took gold in 6 and 7-a-side. I was also chosen to represent South Africa at the 2023 Super World Cup Action Netball series in Australia taking place in August. Countries invited to participate in this prestigious event are Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa,” said Jaundré.
About touring to Australia to represent South Africa Jaundré said that he feels very excited but also very nervous.
“The countries that we will be playing against are top class and will be an amazing experience to play against them. I aim to learn a lot and approve my game to the next level,” he added.
Also read: Allen Glen High School’s rugby team receive new kit for the 2023 season
Despite all his extra-curricular activities Jaundré has also been able to maintain a 70% average in school, this contributes to a good support system at home and school.
“On the days when I am not at school, my friends send me the work I missed and helped me to get through it. There were a lot of late nights that I spent catching up on the work I missed.”
Jaundré’s plans include finishing matric, after which he plans to take a holiday for the first time in three years. In 2024 he plans on studying Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg while continuing with athletics and netball.
“My goal is to be one of the greatest Decathlon athletes and a professional indoor netball player. My dream would be to finish my studies in America and compete in the Olympics. When I was younger, I was told that I wasn’t going to be good at anything that I do. I wanted to prove them wrong. Their doubting me made my drive for success so much bigger. I wasn’t the biggest nor the fastest, but after a few years and a lot of hard work, I had become one of the fastest, strongest, and most respected sportsmen in my school. As my coach and good friend once said, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’,” Jaundré concluded.
