Claire goes for gold

CLAIRE Gibbings, a St Mary’s DSG pupil, has recently been selected for the U17 South African hockey squad.

The talented pupil was also selected for the U16 South African hockey squad last year and has made the KZN hockey teams since Grade 6.

Hockey has always been a part of the Gibbings family routine, as Claire’s older siblings Amy and Kirsty have also performed well as hockey players.

Kirsty was selected for the South African hockey squad when she was in Grade 9 and in 2010 she was selected for the Youth Olympics team.

Amy and Kirsty were both selected for the U21 South African hockey squad in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

For the past two years Amy has been playing hockey for the University of Cape Town’s first team.

“Being the youngest I guess I followed in my sisters’ footsteps. They have loved hockey ever since they started, and I also love it,” said Claire.

Aside from hockey, Claire also enjoys cross country, athletics, soccer and netball.

Claire said that she was training hard and hoped to compete in China with the U17 South African squad next year.

“It will be a five-a-side, so it will be difficult. Only some of the team members will be selected to compete in China,” said Claire.