Hockey team brings gold

A Roedean School SA learner was congratulated by the school for being part of the provincial hockey team which won gold.

Mia Loizides, who goes to the school in Parktown, said she was extremely excited when she was selected to play for the U16 Southern Gauteng Team at the annual Inter-Provincial Hockey Tournament (IPT). This is where each province sends their best players to compete.

“Playing for your province is an honour and an experience that you cannot pass up on. Being able to play such a high level of hockey pushed me to perform. However, my enjoyment of hockey does not only come from competing. It also comes from the amazing people I meet and friendships I make,” Mia said.

“I think the main reason I enjoyed my IPT this year was not because we won gold (although it did contribute); it was because I had the best teammates anyone could ask for. I made lifelong friendships and learnt so much about myself along the way. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life.”

The Grade 10 learner started playing hockey when she was seven. “My brother, Matthew, was my inspiration to start. I saw how much fun he was having and when the opportunity for me to begin learning at my school presented itself, I jumped at it and have not looked back. My love for hockey continued to grow and I began competing at school, club, and provincial level.”

Mia said she is going to continue her hockey career after she leaves school and play at university. She also intends to continue to play hockey well into her adult years. “I think the only time I will stop playing hockey is when my body cannot anymore and even then, I will be on the side of an astro cheering for my own child. Hockey is what I love and what I am passionate about; it is what gives me motivation to wake up in the morning and I believe when you love something that much, your journey with it never really ends.”

Filler: Share your sports achievement stories by sending an email to naidines@caxton.co.za

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