Clarendon Girls’ High School pupil Kaylin Hendriks is the only local U18 girls’ hockey player from Amathole District to have made it into the SA U18A side for 2023.
Southern Free State, Southern Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Coastal have the most representatives.
Hendricks, an upfront player, is one of 18 from across the country selected for the team, following her exceptional performance playing for Amatole U18A provincial team at the national interprovincial tournament in Bloemfontein in July. An SA U18A and B side is chosen from all provincial teams.
From July 9-11, Hendriks donned the green and gold for the first time in a series of intense games for the Youth Challenge tournament against the Free State invitational team and the SA U21 squad. The U18A girls secured a win and a draw against the U21 side, a feat that Hendriks said was achieved through more than 16 hours of training ahead of the fixtures.
Hendriks who is described by both her school and club coaches as a ‘pocket rocket’ and a ‘coach’s dream player’ grew up in a sports appreciative family and credits her parents for shaping her work ethic.
She said: “This selection means the world to me. My parents have always instilled three principles to live by; determination, dedication and discipline. These inspired me to do my best.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankful to all those who has continually supported my dreams.
“Hockey has given me a platform where I can build a family and knowing that I’ve made everyone proud has put a smile on my face and a sense of happiness in my heart.
“I am excited to showcase what I can do and play for all the people who have supported me and help me reach my goal.
“It will most definitely be a higher standard of hockey to that of the provincial level, but I was ready to learn and grow from my teammates and coaches.”
For Amathole district, the interprovincial tournament was a tough one, however the district’s performance is steadily improving across all age cohorts for school level hockey following the hiatus caused by Covid-19. This year, Southern Free State was crowned champions, beating Boland in the final.
Hendriks said the fierce competition was exciting and demanded the best of the players, especially those with aspirations towards the national structures.
She said: “The most challenging part for most athletes when participating in trials is to not play to be selected and not altering your style of play to be noticed. You are still a part of a team and if you play unselfishly and to the best of your ability, your team will perform well and it will be recognised.
“Continuously believing in yourself and your abilities can be challenging but just playing each game like it’s your last while having fun is the best way to overcome this challenge.”
Clarendon awarded Hendriks her white blazer earlier this month for an honours award in hockey for her achievement.
The school is proud of the contribution she has made towards the growth of the sport locally.
The school said: “Kaylin’s [Hendriks] selection to the SA side serves as a reminder that hard work is rewarded and recognition serves as inspiration to all our pupils.”
Parkside Ladies’ Hockey Club, of which Hendriks is a player, celebrates her selection as testament to the talent in East London. Coach for the side, Jason van Zyl described Hendriks as a game-defining player who contributes towards the strength of any team she plays on.
He said: “When she gets the ball she makes the opportunity count and is able to score from angles that nobody else saw.
“She’s a hard worker who is always looking for opportunities when she has the ball and even when she does not have it.
“She thinks on her feet and she never gives up.
“We are so proud of her.”
