SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge
Pietermaritzburg Central Regional
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School: Saturday 10 March
Interview with Charllene Boshoff by Sophie Thompson
Meet Charllene Boshoff, a go-getter of note. This budding pupil is traversing determinedly towards a bright future that she, herself is carving.
“Do what you love, and if you love what you do you will be successful!”
This is the wunderkind’s motto. Boshoff is a sporting star from St John's DSG and will be lining up for the first hockey team, defending their title in the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge next weekend in the #Pietermartizburg Central Regional.
“This will be my second SPAR tournament and we are hoping to do well again this year, but we will see what transpires on the day!”
It is still early days in the hockey season, with the outdoor team having only just been announced. Boshoff will be sharing the role of Co-Captain with fellow team mate Christin Stubbs. “It is going to be an exciting year, we have had two trainings so far and it is a good group of girls. Our team is very young with a number of newbies, but we are focusing on building their confidence, letting their talent shine.”
Once the SPAR tournament is wrapped up, Boshoff will be packing her bags, and together with her folks, heading across to the states to follow up on a number of varsity bursary applications. “I have been in touch with a few of the top varsities in the New York area that focus on field hockey, sending them video clips of my progress and skills. A couple of them have shown interest so I am going across to catch their attention, to put my hand up and say pick me.”
“From an early age, it has been a dream of mine to get to experience life in America, you can call it a fascination. But I would also love to get to experience playing hockey in Holland after my studies. But for now, my focus is on school, prioritising my studies and gearing up for varsity in the States. Matric has been quite hectic, an exciting challenge and I look forward to applying myself to the best of my capabilities.”
Her hockey coach, Lyndal Binks Robertson shared, “It is quite an amazing story of how this young athlete has pushed herself to be better, and has improved her technical and tactical game over the last couple of months. She transformed from being an average KZN Inland U16/B player two years ago to one of the top players in the KZN Inland U18/A team last year. She, I believe, is going to be one of the most dangerous players in the league!”
Continuing, Robertson said, “The other thing I find amazing is how she, by herself, got hold of a recruitment agency in the States and has been sending them drills and videos over the last year. She has had numerous interviews with various varsities over Skype already.”
Concluding, her coach enthused, “This chick wears me out... Her positivity, her never say die attitude is something to be commended. She can run, she is strong, she can OVERHEAD far! She just doesn’t know how to slow down, she truly is fantastic and has such a positive future ahead!”
The level headed student participates in an array of sporting disciplines, hockey being her first love, waterpolo her second where she made the KZN Midlands team. She swims for the school, competing in free and breaststrokes and to keep her fitness up for hockey, she dabbles in cross country for fun.
“I also play in the school basketball team, in post position. And I am part of the indoor hockey team, as well. Sport is a big part of my life, coming from an active background with both my folks being quite competitive, my Dad was a middle distance runner, loving cross country and my Mom had a flare for the unusual preferring water skiing, with a bit of a dare devil streak performing tricks on her skis.”
“My younger brother who is in grade 9 at St Charles used to take part in rugby but prefers cricket, he really is quite brilliant at!”
“The friendships built through sports are lifelong, the bonds strong. I would say one of the main lesson I have learnt from sport is communication is key. Good communication on and off the field is key and can make a huge difference to most outcomes.
The Montrose resident has a colourful home life, sharing her life with four dogs, two cats, a pond full of koi and a number of reptiles that are part of her brother’s collection.
Paving her way to an incredibly exciting life, this youngster will be waving the Pietermaritzburg flag proudly as she prepares to take on the world with her passion, hockey.