That’s no different for the St Mary’s Waverley Primary School teacher Anke Jacobs.
Wearing the green and gold jersey, which commands good respect in the sporting arena, is always a dream for a devoted sportsman and that’s no different for the St Mary’s Waverley Primary School teacher, Anke Jacobs.
The Orange Grove resident had been selected to represent the South African Senior Women’s water polo team.
The team will be competing in the final world championships later this month in Barcelona, Spain.
Jacobs was selected to the national team after she attended two training camps, one in Durban and one in Cape Town.
This was followed by her sterling performance at the recent national tournament held in Port Elizabeth. She was chosen as the best goalkeeper.
“This is really a dream come true as I have always dreamt of becoming a Springbok. The feeling is indescribable; it is every sports person’s dream to represent their country.”
The 25-year-old national goalkeeper said she had loved sport for her entire life. She started playing water polo at the age of 13 at St Dominics School for girls. When she was in Grade 7 she was suffering from epilepsy and was told that she was not allowed to participate in any water sport.
“I was told I posed a risk of drowning if I had a seizure in the pool, but nevertheless, I fell in love with water polo and decided that I will not let the fact that I am epileptic stop me from doing something I loved so much.”
Jacobs played provincial water polo at U-14, U-15, U-16, U-18 and senior level and had already represented her country as a baby ‘Bok at U-16, U-18 and U-21 level.
She started out playing as an outfield player, but she was never a strong swimmer so her coach suggested that she should try the goalkeeping position.
Jacobs said, “Since then I have never looked back, now I am a specialised goalkeeper and have been playing as goalkeeper for 13 years, so don’t think I will be able to play any other position.”
She said she was passionate about water because she had made some of her best friends through playing the sport.
“Water polo is a very social sport and I have so many friends that play in my club team.”
The fun loving, active, full of life, tom boy Jacobs had also achieved provincial colours in outdoor and indoor netball. She said she drew her energy from being a competitive person.
“I always want to be the best at everything so I push extra hard.”
