Author: shortcorner

 

Paarl Gimnasium‘s first boys’ hockey team will set its sights on finishing the 2024 schoolboy hockey season on a high when they take on Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday morning.

The action kicks off at 10:30 am on Paarl Boys’ High’s main Astroturf.

Coach Jacques Grobler’s Gim side has enjoyed an impressive season, recording some big victories along the way, which has led to them capturing two major trophies.

In March, they won the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament and, earlier this month, they defeated SACS 2-1 to win gold at the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament.

Throughout the season, the Gimmies have been well led by their charismatic captain, LD Nel. He’s been a regular on the score sheets throughout the year and his influential impact was rewarded with a place in the Boland u18A team, which finished as the runners-up at the SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein.

On Friday, Nel will play his final match for Gim. Appropriately, his service to the school will end with the Paarl derby.

Ahead of the big clash, Nel talked hockey in an interview with SuperSport Schools Plus hockey correspondent, Short Corner, touching on his career at Paarl Gim, the massive inter schools match which will bring it to an end, and the future.

When did your journey with the first team begin, and against who? How many caps do you currently have?

I was picked for the first team in 2022, when I was in Grade 10, against a touring side from the Northern Cape. I’m currently on 97 caps.

You’ve had a pretty good season with your team. What are some of your highlights?

Yes, we’ve had an amazing season with lots of highlights.  One was winning the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament for a third time in a row. Winning the Cape Town International Tournament against SACS was also huge for our school.

Which people have played the biggest role in your Hockey career?

My first team coach Stevo (Jacques Grobler) has been influential.

He is an amazing coach and person, and I thank him for believing in me. Of course, I can’t forget my parents. They’ve always backed me, and I thank them as well.

Looking at you, you look more like a rugby player than a hockey player. Do you play any other sport?

Yes, I used to play rugby until Grade 7. I also play a bit of cricket, but hockey is the game I love.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

No, I would not change anything.

The Paarl Gim vs Paarl Boys’ High interschools match is always a massive event. How does it feel to take to the Astro in such a big game?

For me and my team, it’s an honour to be part of this big event.

Interschools is a 50/50 match and on the day it’s the one who wants the win the most that normally comes out on top.

What advice do you have for young hockey players?

Keep on working hard to achieve your goals. Never stop believing in yourself. Hard work pays off.

What are your plans for 2025?

Studying at Stellenbosch, BCom in Marketing.

Favourite meal?

Steak and Chips.

Favourite Movie?

Bad Boys 2.

Other Hobbies and Interests?

My friends are very important to me. I like being with them, and hiking and just chilling with friends.

Coach’s comment

Head coach, Jacques Grobler, who has coached Nel for the past three years in the senior side, commented: “LD is a positive person and very outgoing, which helps him to create strong bonds and friendships with his teammates.

“He has played for the first team for three years, so he knows what I expect of the group and has led the group exactly as a captain should, by example.

“LD has developed and continues to develop his leadership and hockey skills, which is almost a superpower for him as he loves to learn and just loves the game of hockey,” he concluded.

Influential Paul Roos Gimnasium goalkeeper Beor van Reenen will earn his 50th cap for the school this week when they host Bishops Diocesan College in Stellenbosch on the Maties AstroTurf on Wednesday.

The clash kicks off at 18:15. Catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Ahead of the match, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey correspondent, Short Corner, had an exclusive interview with the ‘keeper.

Their conversation included talking about reaching 50 caps, cricket, and what the future holds.

You have a 50-cap double for Hockey and Cricket. How does that make you feel?

It is quite a big honour to represent a school like Paul Roos’s first team in two different sporting codes, and, especially, 50 caps for both is very special for me. I made my first team cricket debut against Bishops and then my 50th cap [for hockey] is also against Bishops.

My first team hockey debut was against SACS, and my 50th would have been last term against SACS, but l dislocated my kneecap, and missed two games against Rondebosch and Boishaai. Now, my 50th is against Bishops, which is also cool, because both my 50ths will be against them.

What are the highlights of your hockey and cricket careers thus far?

There have been a lot with both. For cricket, it probably is to have the two fastest fifties ever for my school, with one coming off 16 balls only. My hockey highlight must be winning the Hibbert Shield two years in a row. Oh, and the Boland silver at IPTs.

You are probably one of the better goalkeepers on the schoolboy circuit. Are you disappointed that you did not make any representative sides after the SASHOC IPTs in the last two years?

No, surprisingly, I was not disappointed.

I kind of expected not to be selected because of my unorthodox style of keeping, but I went to IPTs to go and enjoy myself and to give Boland the best possible chance to win. I had fun! And I came home with a medal.

Which people have played a big role in your hockey and cricket careers?

Coach Baker probably played the biggest role in my hockey career.

If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have played hockey this year, but rugby.

He convinced me to play and gave me the excitement to play the sport again. With cricket, probably me, as I taught myself how to play off YouTube videos.

Then Mnr Botes, Mnr Deneno, and Kei Norton put on the finer touches to make me better. Mr Raymer, our Strength and Conditioning coach, also helps me a lot, not only with conditioning but also with mental strength.

Anything you would have done differently in the past few years?

This is a funny question. Yes, I probably would have stopped playing hockey after u16 IPTs and played rugby in Gr 11 and 12. There may be a little regret that l did not give it my all at rugby.

PRG won two Hibbert Shields back-to-back, where you were pretty influential in both. 

Winning Hibbert, was amazing, but not to be too arrogant or anything, it is my job to keep the ball out of the box, and I am glad l could contribute – with a little skill or luck. The team fought back hard this year.

What advice do you have for young goalkeepers?

Just be the best ‘keeper you can be and make sure you are technically very good, because it helps a lot to get you into big sides. That was a bit of my problem. I keep unconventionally.

I do not keep according to the book but, at least, l keep most shots out. I reckon my soccer background helped a lot to allow me to read a game and wrestle with reflexes and be supple.

What are your plans for 2025?

I am looking to study education online while working as a class assistant and coach in a school. If the opportunity presents itself, l would like to play cricket overseas.

I have done all the World Rugby coaching and refereeing courses available until l turn 18. I have ICC Level 1 in umpiring and coaching. I would like to coach and referee, and maybe see if l can referee or umpire at a higher level. I am still young, but coaching would be the ultimate.

Favourite Meal?

Steak, egg and chips

Favorite Movie?

Coach Carter

Other Sports you do?

I am on the school’s athletics team, play rugby, action cricket, and fish.

Hobbies and Interests?

I enjoy hunting and playing darts

Coach’s comment

Michael Baker, Paul Roos’s Director of Hockey, said of Van Reenen, who is also the Deputy Head Boy of the Prima Hostel: “From my side, Beor is one of the most gifted sportsmen I’ve seen. He has an eye for the ball and incredible strength.

“He is often misunderstood and if you listen to the wrong people they jump to assumptions about him. I have seen a boy who truly loves his teammates and his school, and that plays sport because he enjoys it.

“He is not playing for selectors or anything. He just plays sport because he enjoys it. He is mostly always smiling, and isn’t that why we all started?

“This leads to the fearless style he has – you could say he is unorthodox. However, as a ‘keeper, his job is to stop the ball from going in the net and he does that pretty well.

“His teammates love him, and I want to say he has become a bit of an icon. Most people know Beor because of his style of keeping. I have loved working with him this year and we will definitely miss him in 2025.”