Brains, beauty and hockey balls

The young and avid hockey player, Wilma Phillips, stays heads on in the game of hockey and career.

Time can be a friend or foe, but Wilma knows exactly how to manage and enjoy what she is given.

At a young age Wilma’s passion for hockey began when a friend invited her to try something new. “I was on the netball team when a friend asked me to play hockey and I haven’t stopped since,” Wilma said.

With many training hours in the past, Wilma’s love for the game allowed her to achieve and develop ever-growing skills as a hockey player. In 2002 she received Northern Natal colours and in 2006 she played her way to the u/16 B South African Schools team.

This was only the start for Wilma. In 2006 she also formed part of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands team and even during her school days she played first team from 2005 to 2008 for Newcastle High School.

After school, Wilma decided to work hard on her career and managed the time to play hockey for her hostel and be a fulltime student.

She graduated from the University of Pretoria and is an electrical engineer at ArcelorMittal. Wilma has always believed her academic career was a priority, but at age 24 she is lucky enough to live both of her dreams. “It is important to know when it is time to work and when it is time to play,” she said. “My work has never interfered with my hockey and my hockey has never interfered with my work. I can easily manage both.”

The dedication does not stop there. Wilma also played in the South African Country District (SACD) tournament in 2013. There she formed part of the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT) and played her way to Port Elizabeth. “Everything was an amazing experience and I’ve learned a lot,” she said.

Wilma is an inspired woman who is living her dream. “Borrow a hockey stick if you must, but try before you give up,” she said to young aspiring dreamers. “You will never know if you haven’t tried,” she continued.