SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament
Interview with Ansie Joubert
Newcastle has a rising star in hockey umpire, Ansie Joubert.
The motivated and driven sports star was recently crowned as the Most
Promising Umpire at the annual Northern KZN Regional of the SPAR KZN Regional
Hockey Tournament.
“I thrive on the energy that you always feel at a hockey field, there is
always something happening. I love the team spirit in hockey as well as
the competitiveness. I really enjoy the action.” the gentle Joubert
states.
“I started playing hockey in Grade 1, all my friends and my sister
played, so I joined them. I have never regretted this choice.
Asked what a memorable moment on the pitch was, she claims, “For some
reason the ones I remember most is playing through injuries. One that
especially stands out is playing evening league in Bloemfontein in winter, with
legs cramping and ice chips hitting you as you ran, with no-one on the bench
because they were all down with flu, we had to play through it. Luckily we won that game, so it’s a good
memory.”
“I am not playing hockey at the moment, but my main positions have
always been left striker or left link. However I was always happy to play
where our coach needed me. I even played one game as goalie.” Joubert says
smiling.
“Currently I coach Mini hockey as well as our schools under 13A
team. I have also been privileged to
coach our under 13 district side for the past 3 years, this year will be the
fourth. I am lucky that I can live out
my passion for hockey in a variety of ways, with umpiring now also added in the
mix.”
“On the umpiring front, I have been umpiring informally since 2012, only
umpiring for my hockey team while coaching. I have always been delighted to
accept when other umpires offered to umpire for me.”
Thinking back, Joubert recalls, “If I remember correctly the first time
officially with the whistle, it went okay! Luckily it was not a big game.
Last year I umpired once, for our first team where I was rather a nervous wreck
as I did not have a lot of confidence. Luckily I umpired with a friend,
who was willing to help me a lot.”
“This was my second SPAR tournament, last year I enjoyed supporting our
team from the side lines. At the regional this year, I was honoured to officiate
in the final at Pionier High, where Ferrum beat Dundee. That would have to be
the biggest game I have blown so far.”
Away from the hockey field, the motivated and driven sports start
relishes aqua-activities, “Swimming is another favourite for me, I swim the
Midmar Mile every year, and then I also take part in triathlons. I occasionally
play tennis, scuba dive and have even tried surfing before.”
“I enjoy any kind of adventure, going out and doing new things. I also
enjoy reading, drawing and travelling. I would still love to travel to Greece,
hike the Inca trail in South America and then go sky-diving!”
“I had the privilege to summit Mt Kilimanjaro with my mom and a group of
students, parents and colleagues from school in 2012, an achievement and
experience that no one can ever take away from me. I am a farm girl, who enjoys
being outdoors, being active and learning new things, whether it is surfing,
skiing in Switzerland, rowing down the Orange River or hiking the Otter Trail.
These experiences affirm the feeling that I have lived and hope to continue to
do so.”
Continuing, the passionate teacher said, “After three years of living in
London, I really enjoy the slower pace of life in Newcastle. We have most
things that we need here, it is a big town, yet everyone works well together
and one can still have good relationships with people.”
Originally from Dundee, the young whistle blower works in Newcastle, and
lives at the school she teaches grade 2s, “I am also head of St Dominic’s Academy’s
Boarding Establishment which has its challenges but is rewarding.”
Her eyes light up as she concludes the chat, stating, “I still visit on
my parents’ farm during the holidays, this is where I recharge and find my
peace.”
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