Derek’s diving for gold

AN astute description of the sport of underwater hockey is that of a confused teenager. Firstly it has swimming caps similar to those used in water polo, it has fins that snorkelers use, it has a mini stick that looks like it belongs to a new age police officer, and it has a puck like in ice hockey (although it weighs about eight times more).

To go further some say it’s about twice as slow as ice hockey, but it might be twice as physically demanding.

It combines speed, agility, strength and strategy, and did we mention you do all of this while holding your breath. This mishmash all adds up to one exciting sport. Welcome to the madness that is underwater hockey, a decades-old sport that boasts an international following, and better yet a KZN team.

Durban North resident, Derek Fitzgerald forms part of this sport. The Northwood School pupil, who captained the KZN U19 squad, led his team to gold at the junior nationals inter-provincial tournament in Stellenbosch earlier this month.

“It was just a fantastic experience. It was our first year in the A league and we were hoping for a bronze medal but to get two better was just incredible.”

In a titanic see-saw battle in the final, Derek’s squad came up trumps with a 5-4 victory against their much fancied opponents the Gauteng Lions.

“It was 3-3 at full time and we were down a goal and we drew level and then in the dying seconds scored the goal to put us ahead,” he explained. His team lost to the Lions in the round robin stages of the tournament and it was valuable loss according to Derek.

“It’s good to lose, you learn from your mistakes, and you don’t get big headed about your chances. That loss was a catalyst and that is why the guys pushed so hard in the final. The boys and the coach, Deane McNeill deserve all the praise,” he said.

Derek’s goal is to make the SA U19 training squad and ultimately be selected for world cup next year.

Derek Fitzgerald