Marcelle set for showpiece
Close family and coaches accredited with success
WE ARE a very talented and passionate town that encourages our youth to be the best and support them along the way. We are proud of the individuals and make sure that they are supported along the journey.”
These are the words of Old Selbornians and Border star Marcelle Manson (née Keet) in the SA hockey team’s hotel yesterday.
The immediately likeable Manson gives much credit to “her people” who have helped her get to the point where she is on the verge of taking the field in Hockey World Cup 2014 here in Holland tomorrow.
The Clarendon Old Girl says her town has such passionate people and coaches involved in the schools and provincial set-up who just want the best for their players. “I come from a caring community that I feel have all contributed in my hockey career and continue to nurture the younger talents coming through.”
The product of a sporting dynasty, Manson married former SA water polo captain Bevan Manson earlier this year. Russell Keet (dad, SA canoeing), Lee-Anne Keet (older sister, SA water polo), Samantha Keet (younger sister, SA water polo) and Nona Keet (mom, SA diving coach), have also tasted the magic of international competition.
Marcelle is a water baby too. She played for SA at Waterpolo World Cup 2010 and won a water polo bronze medal in the Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow earlier this year. Form permitting, Marcelle will also be in the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team for the Commonwealth Games in the same Scotland city in July.
A lesser known fact is that defender Marcelle (29) has also captained the SA hockey side. “I loved captaining the team at the Africa World Cup Qualifier in Kenya. I really enjoy motivating and leading the team. I like to help and encourage team members as much as I can and make sure the team is happy – and that helps me perform better too.”
How is she feeling physically and mentally just a day away from the World Cup opener against Argentina? “We have had such a good build-up and physically I am feeling fit and strong, the best shape I have ever been in, thanks to our trainer Johno Meintjes, and mentally in such a good space with myself and the team with the fantastic build-up and preparation we have had.”
Marcelle says the SA team want to be as competitive as possible in Group B and take each game as it comes.
Manson has had major hockey disappointments in her 10- year international career, and says she felt “overwhelmed and so grateful” when she heard she had made the SA World Cup hockey team.
Like so many successful sports players Marcelle has had major influences over the years. “My parents and sisters; Greg Beling – a wonderful, passionate mentor from my Old Selbornians club, and the rest of the hockey community in East London. From my mini-hockey coaches to the players in the local league, I learnt so much from them all growing up and now recently a huge thanks to Mr Tony Godding and Mr [Shane] Viviers at Selborne College, who kept me in great physical shape for this World Cup in the preparation phase.”
The owner of a swim school and Hockey and Waterpolo Academy in East London with husband and mom, Marcelle knows that in amateur sport in SA it’s difficult for children and aspiring young adults trying to fit work and studies in with an almost full-time dedication in their training and playing schedule.
“In my case, my mom working at the swim school, and my husband Bevan have provided an amazing support base for me to pursue my dream. I am very grateful and fortunate.”