St Dom’s star player tells us why she’s hooked on hockey
She’s a team player and dribbles past opponents not for personal glory, but for her team to win.
St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls’ star player Katarina Jardim says once you hold a hockey stick and begin to enjoy the thrill of the sport, you marry it forever.
The 17-year-old matriculant started playing early in her life and once she got the high of it, she got hooked. Hockey speaks to her and the moment Katarina enters the Astro, she can’t stop playing.
“It’s like a drug. Once you start playing and get a taste of it, you don’t want to stop. You always want to be on the hockey field. It’s like an escape,” she said.
Katarina is a vital cog in coach Seth Goodwin’s first team and has been a shining light in the side and a go-to player for the past three years. She was outstanding at this year’s St Dunstan’s Easter Sports Festival (April 16, 17, 19 and 21), playing a starring role in leading Saints to a successful title defence.
Before her exploits at the festival in Benoni, she won her 100th cap for Saints earlier this month, an achievement she will hold dear for the rest of her life.
ALSO READ: St Dom’s successfully defends hockey title at Easter Fest
“It feels amazing. We put our all into this team. Getting that award and being acknowledged is big,” she said.
Though her contribution to the team’s success is clear, there’s a good reason why Katarina acknowledges the contribution of her teammates to her success.
She’s a team player and dribbles past opponents not for personal glory, but for her team to win. It’s no wonder her coach believes the youngster is a future national team player.
“We work together. It’s the teamwork and culture we’ve built. I’ve been here since Grade Eight watching the matrics. Now that I’m here, it’s an honour to play for this team. It’s exciting getting the 100 caps.”
Having played hockey early in primary school, it became serious for the athlete in Grade Six when her obsession with the sport kicked in.
Katarina looks up to the “amazing” national team player, Paris Gails Isaacs, who “is a role model for everyone around her”.
“It’s a big honour to be able to play with her.”
With already having represented SA schools, the matriculant’s lofty ambitions include another crack in the SA schools team, turning professional, playing varsity hockey and representing SA.
Also Read: St Dom’s public speakers excel
