Always keep on working hard, says Bouch
His eight years at the Steinhoff Maties Hockey Club has showed Shannon Boucher that if you work hard you will reap the rewards.
Boucher is one of the players that have played their last match for Maties Men this season. He was part of the team that won four Western Province Grand Challenge titles and this year’s USSA title.
“Maties is a great place to help harness your potential and point you in the right direction. They have the best training standard in the world within a great youth environment.”
Boucher believes that hard work trumps talent. “I have learnt that hard work wins. I’m not the best hockey player, but I will work hard and that has got me to where I am today.”
Like his fellow Maties Boucher encourages youngsters to consider coming to Maties if they are serious about not only studies but hockey as well! “It’s the most professional setup you can have in South Africa. In Stellenbosch you have great facilities and world-class trainers and coaches.”
Boucher will never forget the firsts at Maties. “Beating Pinelands 6-1 to win the league back in 2013 and then of course this year’s USSA win was massive.”
The striker wants those who are staying behind and will play for Maties in the future to remember to never stop giving it your all in the gym, training field and on the astro. “Work hard on and off the field…it pays off!”
AFRIKAANS
Hou aan om hard te werk, sê Bouch
Sy agt jaar by die Steinhoff Maties Hokkieklub het Shannon Boucher gewys dat as jy hard werk, jy die vrugte daarvan sal pluk.
Boucher is een van die spelers wat vanjaar hul laaste wedstryd vir Maties gespeel het. Hy was deel van die span wat vier WP Grand Challenge-titels en vanjaar se USSA-titel gewen het.
“Maties is ‘n wonderlike plek wat jou help om jou potensiaal te benut en wys jy is op die regte pad. Hulle het die beste opleidingstandaard in die wêreld binne ‘n suksesvolle jeug omgewing.”
Boucher is van mening dat harde werk talent troef. “Ek het geleer dat harde werk altyd wen. Ek is nie die beste speler, maar ek werk hard en dit is wat my gebring het, waar ek vandag is.”
Soos sy mede-Maties moedig Boucher jongeling aan om dit te oorweeg om Maties te kom as jy ernstig is oor studies en hokkie. “Dit is die mees professionele hokkie-opset in Suid-Afrika. In Stellenbosch het jy die beste geriewe en wêreldklas afrigters.”
Boucher sal nooit die eerstes by Maties vergeet nie. “Om Pinelands 6-1 te klop om die liga in 2013 te wen en dan natuurlik vanjaar USSA oorwinning was ongelooflik.”
Die doelskieter wil diegene wat agter bly en die wat in die toekoms vir Maties gaan speel, aanmoedig om altyd hard te werk…in die gimnasium, op die oefenveld en op die speelveld. “Werk hard op en van die veld af … dit is die moeitewerd!”