Jessica relishes being a team player for local hockey
Jessica joins a group of hockeywomen representing NKZN at a national tournament in Paarl, starting on July 10.
Being a team player has its advantages.
Just ask Jessica Reineke, one of 17 women selected to represent Northern KwaZulu-Natal at the South African Country Districts (SACD) tournament in Paarl.
This prestigious competition kicks off on July 10.
As a member of the A side, Jessica has translated her passion for hockey into success on the field, whether grass or modern AstroTurf.
Her long relationship with hockey began as a Ferrum learner.
Following her return to Newcastle some years later, Jessica has represented NKZN at five SACD competitions to date.
“I feel the team is well-prepared; we hope for the best and know it will be a challenge. Our first game is against the home side, Western Province, so we want to start with a bang.”
Jessica explained achieving good results at SACD had helped locals shrug off the small-town mantle, while also getting the team’s name out there.
The women’s side will feel good about its chances this year.
Thanks to the inclusion of AstroTurf facilities at St Dominic’s Newcastle, the team hopes to improve on a competition best of third place in 2014.
“We went from grass to Astro this year and it’s helped us improve. The other teams already enjoyed this advantage.”
Exposure on a national platform is just one of numerous benefits Jessica has found, yet she emphasised the importance of having fun.
She has learned much both on and off the field.
“Hockey has taught me discipline, how to listen to coaches, to be self-motivated and how to work well with others. You need to be a team player to succeed.”
Hockey was also touted as a good workout – given the stop-and-go nature of the sport, team members are truly put through their paces.
Jessica said this had helped with health eating choices.
“It all comes back to discipline.”
She practises twice a week and certain weekends, and said coaches were drilling team members ahead of its SACD campaign.
“We take time both on and off the field to keep up our motivation. We’re more like a family going on tour,” she concluded.
