Rugby aspirations in face of poverty

MY NAME is Shafiek Olckers, 19 years old, and I live with my mommy and two sisters in a wendy house in my grandpa’s yard. My mother is the sole breadwinner. There is no money for me to get to practice to train with the national team.

I have been playing rugby since the age of seven and am currently quite excited about my selection to the national touch rugby team. My big fear is that I can so easily lose my place in the national team because my mother cannot always give me money. I have one pair of boots to train in and play matches in.

Growing up in Hanover Park where everyone is soccer-crazy, I am always the odd one out that plays rugby. If you look at the current Craven Week teams, where players come from Paul Roos, Paarl Gymnasium etc, we in the townships don’t feature at all.

I don’t have recognised role models that you can aspire to, but with self-motivation and good discipline… I believe I can make it to the top. Here I have been selected to the national team, with lots of determination.

Not owning my own cellphone and needing R20 000 for this trip. I have been to all the local shops and businesses for help with my fees. With very little contributions from their side I am feeling very despondent . I am sure you must have had many requests in this line, and I know you can’t help everyone.

My motto in life is: “If you give up, you don’t really want it in the first place.”

Letter submitted by: PETER HENDRICKS Mountview High School sport master Hanover Park