Eustice: ‘Games are amazing’
Benoni's men's national hockey player is enjoying the experience of the Commonwealth Games.
Having just recently come off a enlightening 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup, Benonian and South African men’s national hockey team player Jethro Eustice (24) is enjoying his time at the XX Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland.
The former Benoni Northerns Junior Hockey (BNJH) player is enjoying the vibe at the multi-sport event.
“The Games have been incredibly different to the World Cup with the various sporting codes, different people, rules and living conditions [the Athletes’ Village],” he said.
“It has been an incredible time.
“Glasgow has, so far, been good to us with the weather, and the support has been incredible here.
“The Athletes’ Village is an awesome place to meet plenty of new people and has been a real eye-opener for me.”
When asked if he has seen any big names in sport at the Games he said: “No, no Usain Bolts as yet, but I have seen and met a lot of South African athletes, like Chad Le Clos and Roland Schoeman from the aquatics section, and Cecil Afrika, Kyle Brown and Frankie Horne from the Sevens rugby team.
“I have also met up with a few of the lawn bowls players, who have done really well to win a number of medals.”
The men’s national hockey team won 2-0 against the host nation, Scotland, in their opening game on Friday, July 25, but ended on the wrong side of a 6-0 loss to World Cup champions Australia, on Monday, July 28.
Speaking of the loss to the strong Australian team, Eustice commented: “It was tough out there.
“They are full time hockey players, while we are a mixed bag of students, working men and full time players, so the difference is clearly there.
“There is still a lot to take home from the game against the Aussies, though.
“They did beat the Dutch 6-1 in the final of the World Cup.”
The team remained in contention for a semi-final berth with an efficient 5-1 victory against Wales on Tuesday, July 29, in a game where Eustice bagged his second goal for his country with a wonderful strike from a penalty corner.
At the time of going to press the team were scheduled to play a must-win encounter against India on Friday, July 31.
