A few years ago, Potchefstroom and the NWU may have been known as ‘rugby central’ for aspiring school sports stars. But perceptions are changing, especially after NWU Hockey’s outstanding top-4 finish at the 2018 Varsity Hockey tournament.
The NWU Hockey Club, under the guidance and tutelage of Shaun Hulley and Sheldon Rostron, has taken the members to a new level with hard work and professionalism at the forefront of an exciting hockey culture.
This ever-growing culture in Potchefstroom has seen six of its locally schooled hockey players perform at Varsity level for the NWU Hockey Club. Killian Ludick, Pierre Botma, Gertjie Lamprecht, Stéan Naudé (all Potchefstroom Gimnasium alumni) and Mthokozo Mbotho and Shusha Mabo (Potchefstroom Boys’ High alumni) are making strides at both local and provincial levels with impressive performances.
Potchefstroom Herald had a chat with these students who cherish dreams of making their mark on the SA hockey landscape.

Gertjie Lamprecht

This experienced 24-year-old midfielder was the heartbeat of the NWU during the Varsity Hockey tournament and his distribution and hustle caught the eye of many.
Lamprecht matriculated at Gimmies in 2011 and has been a fixture in the NWU Hockey set up for the past six years, having experienced numerous highs and lows.
‘I think what made this past Varsity Hockey tournament great was the effort and hard work we put in and our emphasis on teamwork,’ he said swiftly. He also played for the Garden Route Gazelles in the Premier Hockey League which has played a huge role in his personal player development. ‘It certainly helps tremendously when you play against the top players in SA. In the near future, I would like to play in one of the top hockey leagues in Europe. It would be amazing to play in Holland,’ he added.
Stick: Gryphon
Studies: Honours B.Com Financial Accounting.

Killian Ludick

Ludick, who matriculated from Gimmies in 2014, was one of the stars of the Varsity Hockey tournament with crucial goals setting his side up for victory.
The striker is tenacious in the circle and has a sniper’s mentality in front of goal. ‘I was part of the first team at Gimmies from 2012 to 2014 when Tjoff van Staden coached our team. This developed my love for hockey and, when I reached varsity, I decided to go to hockey trials and now I’m still part of the first team,’ said Ludick.
According to him, one of the biggest improvements at the club in the past two years has been the approach to matches and consistency.
‘We understand each other better as a team and we have a greater knowledge about how we should play. My skills as a player have improved immensely.’
Stick: Second2None
Studies: HMS Psychology, currently doing a diploma in business management.

Mthokozo Mbotho

Goalkeeping came to Mthokozo Mbotho more than he approached the important position.
‘I started playing hockey in Gr. 9 without any prior experience.
After someone saw me clearing the ball with my feet, they told me that I should play keeper.
Since then, I’ve loved being a keeper. The best part is rushing out and making big saves. It’s really rewarding,’ says the former Boys’ High matriculant. Mbotho won a couple of Star Saver awards for the best goalkeeper during Varsity Hockey, despite his team being at the losing end on a couple of occasions.
‘It’s bittersweet to get that award after the team has lost but, personally, it was still great to know that I keep growing as a player.
The next big highlight for me would be to play in the PHL and be part of a national side,’ said Mbotho.

Stick: TK
Studies: Sports Sciences (2nd year)

Pierre Botma

Botma is one of the younger members of the NWU setup but impressed all and sundry with his mature play and goal-scoring threat in the link and forward positions. The 2016 hockey captain at Gimmies is a proud product of Potchefstroom, having represented North West in various age groups since primary school at Moorivier. ‘The season has been terrific and the team has worked harder than ever before in the pre-season and I think this is paying off now. It was amazing to see that we could match the big teams in the Varsity Cup,’ said Botma, who has a bright future ahead of him.

Stick: Gryphon
Studies: BCom business management and entrepreneurship (2nd year).

Siyabonga “Shusha” Mabo

Shusha, as he is known, is another product of Potchefstroom Boys’ High’s class of 2016 and this forward has pace to burn on the astro.
‘As a team, we have upped it physically and technically and focused on the importance of looking at small things first before looking at the bigger picture. If you get the basics right, the rest will fall into place.’
Stick: Adidas
Studies: Sports Sciences (2nd Year).

Stéan Naudé

Naudé was one of the key defensive men on the right for the NWU and the 2012 matriculant from Potch Gimmies believes local hockey has grown a lot for various reasons. ‘Sheldon (Rostron) started coaching the local schools and imparted his knowledge to the players at a young level. A lot of players are now also coaching at schools and this creates a great environment,’ said Naudé. He has a simple hockey philosophy that he learnt at Gimmies and which he still carries with him: ‘Keep it simple and do the basics right.’
According to Naudé, the NWU, as a club, has grown by leaps and bounds with Rostron as the coach, with a massive emphasis on putting in the hard yards. ‘We work extremely hard and we practise daily. It has become much more structured than previously and our tactical knowledge is constantly improving.’

Stick: JDH
Studies: Honours in Biokinetics