Fresh & Hungry: Carli Pretorius

Meet brilliant young hockey player, Carli Pretorius, a learner at Menlopark High School. As team captain she has a deep wisdom and understanding for the game and leads with a lot of fervor and passion.  Carli says “I love being outdoors and will spend every possible second on the hockey field.  Although I practice long hours, my family and friends stay my number one priority. I am a very enthusiastic person and my friends never know where all the energy comes from. I believe that passion is the key to success and strive to be so passionate that my dreams become a reality”.

INTERVIEW:

Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your ­­­­­­­­Hockey,  tell me a little bit about how you started in Hockey , and your journey up to now?

I started playing Hockey when I was 7 years old and I loved it ever since.

Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Hockey and what is your greatest personal accomplishment? 

Being part of the U/17 South-African Squad is my highest accolade.  My greatest personal accomplishment is being selected for the Northern-Gauteng A -team for the 8^th year in a row.

Q: Why do you have so much respect for your coach/es?

I believe that being a coach is one of the most difficult jobs to do. To get 16 different personalities to have one common vision and strive for one goal is next to impossible. I admire the way my coaches always motivate the team, even in the most difficult situations.

Q: What do you do to relax?

I like to eat sushi with friends or spend time with my family.

Q: Tell me one thing about yourself that the world does not know J?  

I have a BIG phobia for worms

Q: What was the best advice you were ever given?

My father once told me that being able to play hockey is merely an honour and not a right. Ever since, I play with a different mindset. I play with more passion and enthusiasm that is needed to succeed.

Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?

“I will not be stopped.”

Q: Favourite bible Verse?

Proverbs 16 : “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.”

Q: How do you currently manage to balance all the things in your life?

Time management is the ultimate key to a balanced life. I always keep my priorities in mind when managing my time as it is not always possible to do everything.

Q: What is your leadership style, being captain?

 There is a famous quote that reads,” If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more and achieve more, then you are a leader.”  I live by this! I believe that the best leaders of all time inspire others through their actions and not necessarily their words.

Q: What’s your WHY ?  

Firstly I love to play hockey for the love of the game. I also enjoy being part of a team and experiencing every challenge as a team. All the good achievements as well as the hard fitness sessions. There’s a quote I like – it says “ do it with passion or not at all ” . I strive to be so passionate about the game that other players will also be inspired to give their best.

Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!

Thank you !!

NB – All images were supplied by the athlete to Heslop Sports. If there are any images that are not credited correctly, please email info@heslopsports.co.za with the details and we will gladly do so immediately.