After five seasons at the Steinhoff Maties Hockey Club former first team captain Rob Edwards will remember his time as a Matie hockey player as being part of an ambitious, hard-working group who loved playing together.
“The friendships made and the special moments on the turf will be what stays with me longest,” said Edwards, who was Maties Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
Edwards was part of the teams that won a hat-trick of Western Province Grand Challenge titles (2013-2015). He also won a silver USSA medal in 2013 and bronze this year.
“The Maties culture helped me learn the value of playing competitively, but ultimately for the love of the game; as well as what a special thing it is to be a part of a team. Maties can suit everyone’s needs. There is a place in the club for a social player, one with National ambitions and everything in between.”
Edwards fondly remembers the final Grand Challenge match in 2013 when the team was victorious against Pinelands and Maties won the league. “Also beating Tuks in the Varsity Cup semi-final last year is a memory I will cherish for a long time.”
Edwards added with a smile: “And watching Matt de Salsa (De Sousa) and Keenan Horne try to hit reverse sticks at training!”
And Edwards’ final message to those who are staying behind? “Cherish every moment, because it will be over sooner than you think.”
AFRIKAANS
‘Maties Hokkie, plek vir almal’
Na vyf seisoene by die Steinhoff Maties Hokkieklub sal die voormalige eerstespan-kaptein Rob Edwards sy tyd as ‘n Matie-hokkiespeler onthou as deel wees van ‘n ambisieuse, hardwerkende groep wat daarvan gehou het om saam te speel.
“Ek sal die vriendskappe gesmee en die spesiale oomblikke op die asto die langste onthou,” het Edwards, Maties se Speler van die Jaar in 2013 en 2014, vertel.
Edwards was deel van die spanne wat ‘n driekuns van die Westelike Provinsie Groot Uitdaagliga-titels (2013-2015) gewen het. Hy het ook ‘n USSA silwermedalje in 2013 en brons hierdie jaar gewen.
“Die Maties kultuur het my die waarde van die mededingende spel geleer, maar uiteindelik ook die liefde van die spel; sowel as wat ‘n spesiale ding dit is om ‘n deel van ‘n span te wees. Maties kan almal se behoeftes te pas. Daar is ‘n plek in die klub vir ‘n sosiale speler, een met Nasionale ambisies en alles tussenin. ”
Edwards onthou graag die finale Grand Challenge-wedstryd in 2013 toe die span seëvierende teen Pinelands was en Maties die liga gewen het. “Ook om Tuks in die halfeindronde van die Varsity Hokkie-reeks te klop sal ek nog lank onthou.”
Edwards het met ‘n glimlag bygevoeg: “En om te kyk hoe Matt de Salsa (De Sousa) en Keenan Horne probeer om omgekeerde houe te slaan in oefeninge!”
Edwards se boodskap aan diegene wat agterbly? “Koester elke oomblik, want dit gouer verby as wat jy dink.”
