Ferreira proud of achievement at festival
She was named the tournament’s top player and also clinched the top goal-scorer award.
St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls short corner specialist Jemma Ferreira was proud to lead her team to victory at St Dunstan’s Easter Sports Festival with an exceptional hat-trick in the final on April 21.
Ferreira scored all her team’s goals in their dominance of Hellenic Academy in the final. The strikes came via three well-crafted short corners, in which the Grade 10 learner cleanly drilled the ball past the Hellenic goal-minder, to hand her team the bragging rights.
She was named the tournament’s top player and also clinched the top goalscorer award as she led Saints to a successful title defence.
“It’s special to me and the team that we made this happen. It was one of our big goals to get the win. It feels absolutely amazing to come out with a win again to keep the tradition going,” she said.
The youngster was in fantastic form in Benoni, displaying why she’s one of the team’s crucial players. She earned her 100th cap for St Dom’s in the Kingsmead Courage Festival from April 3 to 6.
“It was a big milestone for me making 100 caps while in Grade 10. The match was very special to me. My teammates made it special to me. The day was amazing. I loved it,” Ferreira said.
Ferreira explained she’s always wanted to play hockey since she first picked up a hockey stick from a young age. Since then, she worked her way up with commitment and hard work to end up as one of the Saints’ top players.
“Everyone knows I’m the girl that plays hockey. It’s been a sport I loved from a very young age. I’ll never give it up for anything.”
She looks up to Argentina forward Maria Jose Granatto and SA national team player, Paris Gail Isaacs.
“They are both my role models. They know how to lead their teams and are confident on the ball. That’s definitely something I want to do.”
Among some of her future ambitions is representing the country and, in the long-term, helping unearth and develop tomorrow’s stars.
“I hope to make the SA team. It’s always the goal. I keep pushing myself every single day, trying to play harder against tough teams to enhance my level of playing. Hopefully, I get there one day to achieve my dream,” she said.
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