Local volleyball players set their sights on qualifying for the Olympics
Two local volleyball players from Tuks will this week, as part of the national team, try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Being in your late thirties is no reason to forsake on once dreams and that is why local volleyball star Natasha Webber is going to try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in beach volleyball this week.
Webber and her Tuks teammate, Nicky Wenhold (also 38), are part of the South African team that will be in action during Africa’s Sub Zonal Qualification Tournament in Maputo.
It is not the first time that Webber and Wenhold have their sights set on the Games. They also tried to do so in 2012. Unfortunately for them, the team from Mauritius came out tops at the time.
Webber, who studied Sports Science, considers being selected for South Africa at 38 as an honour.
“It is special to think that we are still good enough to play for South Africa. In a way, however, it is also slightly disconcerting. Both of us are genuinely passionate about volleyball. Therefore, we would love to see some grassroots development players starting to step up to play for South Africa. The reality is that funding will always be an issue for players in smaller countries,” said Webber after the team was announced.
Webber is quite realistic to what awaits them in Maputo.
“We shall have to be at our absolute best to have any chance of qualifying. This I can guarantee we won’t lack motivation. It is every athlete’s dream to represent their country at the Olympic Games, no matter what your age is. Nicky and I promised ourselves that we are going to try and make the most of this opportunity. If by hook or crook we do manage to qualify for the Olympics it will be amazing,” she explained.
Webber said that she and Wenhold only recently started to play together again. They, however, immediately gelled as a team.
“Being of the same age certainly helped as is having the same goals. We also have some unique chemistry when we take to the court. It is maybe due to us complimenting each other’s play,” explains the Tuks player.
She used to excel in various sports before deciding to specialize in volleyball. The clincher possible was that it was the one sport nearly everyone in her family played. For a long time, her dad used to coach her.
“I think it can be said that volleyball runs in our family’s blood,” Webber concluded.
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