SA women’s hockey player and local teacher Antonet Louw is abroad representing the country on tour in South Korea throughout May.
This is Louw’s 12th national team cap.
The team traveled to Korea earlier this month after a successful tour in Chile that was part of the team’s preparation for the Road to Paris Olympic qualification event.
Louw and her team will play a series of friendlies against Japan and China, as well as two Tests against Korea.
“This opportunity has given me the chance to play the sport I have a passion for and to play against the best in the work.
“This is an opportunity for me to improve myself, challenge myself, make memories, and experience the world and different cultures,” Louw said.
Aside from adjusting herself to playing in an environment that she is not familiar with, Louw has also had to adjust to playing in a different position.
“It has been somewhat challenging.
“I am used to being an attacking player but now I play in the back in a defensive position. It has been challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally but I always try my best to play to the best of my abilities and make sure my team gets the best of me,” Louw said.
Louw, who is also an Afrikaans teacher at Merrifield College, hopes that her achievements at a national level will serve as an example to her learners.
“Once I’m done (with my playing career), I want to invest and develop youth players, to give them the opportunity to be the best they can be.
“I want to share my passion and experience with them. I am currently investing in them and trying to get them to be great players,” Louw said.
