‘Live and train the Maties way’
Daniel Bell, one of the most popular players in the Steinhoff Maties Men’s hockey team – evident from his 2015 Players’ Player of the Season award – believes Maties is the best place for any younger hockey player.
“Youngsters should come to the Stellenbosch University and become a Matie because it’s the best hockey environment to train and play in. The coaching staff and players are at an international level and you only benefit from this.” He is currently in Belgium where he plays club hockey.
Bell may not be sure how many matches he has played or goals he has scored, but he hasn’t missed much action in his time at Maties. “I only missed two league games in my four seasons and did not play USSA in my first year because of the Student Games in Russia where I was part of Team South Africa.”
Being coach by the likes of Paul Revington, Neville Rothman and this season Ashlin Freddy, having access to world-class facilities and the Maties Sport High Performance programme makes the Maties environment one of excellence, but also one of fun. “I’ll remember Maties by the incredible bond the players have with one another and the intensity we train and play at. I’ve learnt a lot of things that are crucial to become a successful hockey player – the way you train, live and play. Some of the best memories are intense trainings with my mates with a beautiful sunset setting the scene.”
Like many of the players whose time at Maties came to an end this year, Bell emphasises in his final message how important it is to live and experience all that Matieland has to offer. “Enjoy every moment you have at this special place we call Stellenbosch. Take advantage of the awesome facilities and live and train the Maties way.”
‘Leef en oefen op die Maties manier’
Daniel Bell, een van die gewildste spelers in die Steinhoff Maties manshokkiespan – duidelik uit sy Spelers se Speler van die Jaar-toekenning in 2015 – glo Maties is die beste plek vir enige jong hokkiespeler.
“Jongelinge moet na die Universiteit Stellenbosch kom en vir Maties speel, want dit is die beste hokkie-omgewing om in te oefen en te speel. Die afrigtingspan en spelers is op internasionale vlak en jy kan net baat vind hierby.” Hy is tans in België waar hy klubhokkie speel.
Bell mag dalk nie seker wees van hoeveel wedstryde hy gespeel of doele hy vir Maties aangeteken het nie, maar hy het nie veel aksie gemis in sy tyd by Maties nie. “Ek het net twee ligawedstryde in my vier seisoene nie gespeel nie en was nie by die USSA-toernooi in my eerste jaar nie, want ek was in Rusland vir die Studentespele waar ek vir Suid-Afrika gespeel het.”
Afrigters soos Paul Revington, Neville Rothman en die seisoen Ashlin Freddy, toegang tot die wêreldklas geriewe en die Maties Sport Hoë Prestasie-program maak die Maties omgewing een van uitnemendheid, maar ook een van die pret. “Ek sal Maties onthou danksy die ongelooflike band wat die spelers het met mekaar en die intensiteit waarmee ons geoefen en gespeel het. Ek het baie dinge geleer wat noodsaaklik is om ‘n goeie hokkiespeler te wees – die manier waarop jy oefen, speel en leef. Van my beste herinneringe is die uitmergelende sessies saam met my spanmaats met ‘n besonderse sonsondergang om die toneel af te rond.”
Soos baie van die spelers wie se tyd by Maties vanjaar tot ‘n einde gekom het, het Bell in sy laaste boodskap beklemtoon hoe belangrik dit is om die hele ervaring van Matieland te geniet. “Geniet elke oomblik wat jy hier op spesiale plek wat ons Stellenbosch noem het. Maak gebruik van die ongelooflike geriewe en leef en oefen op die Matie manier.”
