Marais Viljoen’s Rutendo gains ground in hockey
After playing numerous indoor tournaments, Rutendo Chikowore is ready to participate in her biggest hockey tourney and stands a chance to be scouted by hockey giants.
Rutendo Chikowore’s first love is hockey, and since 2017, she has represented Gauteng in several hockey tournaments.
Her love for the sport started when she was 11 years old as a learner at Brackenhurst Primary School.
The Brackendowns resident then caught the eyes of the Eastern Gauteng selectors and was chosen to represent the Eastern Gauteng provincial girls’ hockey team in 2017 as a goalie.
She represented the Eastern Gauteng Provincial Girls’ hockey teams from 2018 to 2023, and today, as a Grade 12 learner at Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, she plays first-team hockey.
The 18-year-old is a well-rounded goalie for the Eastern Gauteng Provincial Girls U18 team and will participate in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, during a regional hockey tournament from July 11 to 15.
Progressive growth
“Participating in this tournament is important for her because she ass an opportunity to be identified by university scouts. She would be grateful to get a scholarship or bursary as she progresses with her studies and her hockey career,” explained her father, Archie Chikowore.
He said Rutendo would love to represent SA at the highest level.
“We wish the team the best of success at the upcoming tournament. Rutendo’s talent between the goalposts has seen her being scouted and invited to play for Beaulieu Hockey Academy. She also grew a passion for indoor hockey and has participated in PSI Indoor Hockey national tournaments to date, representing Quaggas, and went on to represent Gryphons Hockey Club,” he explained.
Last year, Rutendo was also selected to play for Northside Gryphons in the Johannesburg Hockey League.
She still participates in the Hockey Junction Tournament and has represented Knights Hockey Club and Gryphons Hockey Club.
“In February 2023, she was selected to be the goalie for the Eastern Gauteng women’s indoor hockey team when they played in the IPT tournament in Durban, and they were medal winners. She also plays club field hockey with Christian Brothers College (CBC) Women’s Hockey Club,” he said.
Should sponsors wish to support Rutendo financially, they can contact Archie on achikowore@live.co.za or 084 016 0051.
