Strelza takes charge of Mpu finals
Umpiring has a very important role in the game of hockey.
Those who take part know that the job takes a lot of courage, focus and resilience.
Players tend to get emotional, coaches shout from the sidelines and crowds roar at every whistle blown – but 16-year-old Strelza van Aardt is not fazed. It comes with the territory.
Getting into umpiring only a year ago, the pupil of Hoërskool Nelspruit had the honour of umpiring the final at the u/18 nationals between Eastern Province and Western Province earlier this month.
In 2017 Strelza attended the Amajuba Sport Week in Volksrust where she was awarded her mini level-one grading.
“I have a passion for hockey and umpiring. My goal is to umpire international tournaments,” said Strelza.
This year she was credited her level-two grading and she was ranked the top umpire out of 24 who attended the nationals.
Strelza also had the amazing opportunity of taking charge of the Mpumalanga first teams’ final between Ermelo and Middelburg this past weekend.
