After three seasons at Steinhoff Maties Hockey Illse Davids will start a new chapter.
“My time at Maties, even though it was short, I will remember my amazing teammates, the 6am gym sessions, having fun and working hard with amazing student athletes who have helped shape the woman I am today,” said Davids.
Davids was part of the team that won the last three Western Province Grand Challenge titles, the USSA title in 2014 and the Varsity Hockey title in 2013.
“Maties Hockey learnt me the importance of teamwork and that as a Maties player we always play with passion, heart and determination. Teamwork is something that I have valued over my years at Maties. The team has changed over the three years, new players come in and old players exit, what makes a good team is the ability to welcome new players into the team environment, to help them grow and develop the Maties playing ethos.”
For the past years Maties Hockey Club has been a big draw card for prospective students. “I would encourage youngsters to come to Maties for many reasons, besides playing at one of the best hockey universities in South Africa. The Maties hockey team is one of a kind, we work hard on the field and through this create a fun environment where the players are able to grow their skills in a supportive environment. We have a great team vibe and ethos; which we as players create. Youngsters wishing to come to Maties are in for a wonderful experience.”
Davids had a very successful time at Maties. “Wining the inaugural Varsity Hockey title in 2013 is my best memory. This was my first year at Maties, and the team atmosphere was wonderful, we did not have the smoothest of roads as we lost a game and had to claw our way back into contention, but we did it. Beating Pukke in the finals was a wonderful feeling and showed the team’s willingness to graft hard for each other out there.”
AFRIKAANS
Maties Hokkie help vorm Davids
Na drie seisoene by Steinhoff Maties Hokkie begin Illse Davids ‘n nuwe hoofstuk.
“My tyd by Maties, selfs al was dit kort, sal ek onthou vir my wonderlike spanmaats, die 06:00 gimnasium sessies, pret en harde werk saam met ongelooflike student-atlete wat gehelp het om my te vorm in die vrou wat ek vandag is,” sê Davids.
Davids was deel van die spanne wat die laaste drie Westelike Provinsie Groot Uitdaagliga-titels, die USSA-titel in 2014 en die Varsity Hokkie titel in 2013 gewen het.
“Maties Hokkie het my die belangrikheid van spanwerk geleer en dat as ‘n Matie-speler ons altyd met passie, hart en vasberadenheid speel. Wat ‘n goeie span maak is die vermoë om nuwe spelers te verwelkom in die span omgewing, om hulle te help groei en te leer van die Maties-etos. ”