University proving a talent feeder for SA’S Olympic team

THE University of Johannesburg (UJ) confirmed its position as one of the most important feeder institutions for Olympic talent when the national squad for London was announced last week.

Of the 112 athletes selected for London, student hockey stars Pietie Coetzee and Bernadette Coston lead a strong UJ contingent that also consists of 13 alumni and club members across four sporting codes.

Coetzee, who increased her world record goal tally to 241 in the bronze medal match against Germany during this past weekend’s Investec London Cup, and Coston, are joined by Beijing Olympians Lisa-Marie Deetlefs and Marsha Marescia in the women’s hockey team.

Men’s hockey players Thornton McDade and Erasmus Pieterse, who both represented SA four years ago, have again received the nod, alongside debutant Lance Louw.

Amanda Dlamini, captain of the Banyana Banyana women’s soccer team, will enjoy the company of Kylie-Ann Louw, Noko Matlou and Marry Ntsweng.

Also on the list are athletes Irvette van Blerk and René Kalmer, both of whom will be making their marathon debut.

Rounding out the UJ-affiliated athletes in the team are rowers Naydene Smith and Lawrence Ndlovu, who are taking part in the women’s coxless pairs and men’s lightweight fours respectively. Micheen Thornycroft will represent Zimbabwe on the water.

UJ staffer Anton van Rooyen will accompany the men’s hockey team as manager, while 2008 Olympian Adrian Carolan is the video analyst for the women’s side. According to director of sport Sanpat Coetzee, the university had already equalled its 2008 tally of 18 individuals.

“Prof Cora Burnett’s research, done at the request of Sascoc president Gideon Sam, indicated that our universities are some of the most important role players in the long-term development of athletes,” Coetzee said.

She said UJ’s high performance programme and support services had certainly paid dividends in a variety of sporting codes. “It is our goal to contribute to the holistic development of the athletes while they are studying.”

As far as the Olympics were concerned, Coetzee said the women’s hockey team would be the ones to watch.

“Their progress since 2008 has been remarkable and Pietie (Coetzee) is widely acknowledged as the world’s best striker.”

Coetzee said another possible medal contender from UJ could be Ndlovu’s rowing team, which collected a silver medal at the World Cup Regatta in Switzerland at the end of last month. Sapa