Rooting for Border’s Bianca Wood
Hockey star represents SA at the World Cup
South African Hockey announced the SA Women’s Hockey Squad for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Spain and Netherlands and among the names selected is local sportswoman and pride of Buffalo City, Bianca Wood.
Wood forms part of the 23member squad who will represent SA at the 15th occurrence of the quadrennial world championship.
It also marks the 7th consecutive appearance for SA to secure their spot with a victory in Ghana at the African Cup of Nations and the first appearance for Wood at this tournament.
She describes her selection as a relief and confirmation of her talent at the sport as she was left disappointed earlier in the year after not being selected for the Olympic team.
In preparation for the games, Wood has to keep her fitness up and is subjected to countless fitness tests and practice sessions that require discipline on her part and a great deal of local support.
Administrator for Border Hockey Association and secretary of Parkside Ladies hockey club, Jonathan Adams, said the club is assisting Wood with her preparations. Wood is also playing for Parkside Ladies in the local league.
“We are very excited about Bianca’s selection and I am helping her do her times and keeping her on track with the distances and so forth.
“We also have to be careful not to over train her too because she can’t sustain any injuries but whatever it takes we have to help her because this is a huge achievement,” says Adams.
Wood extends gratitude to the local hockey administrators such as Adams who organise times for her to train and make the Buco astro available for when she requires it.
“I have so many fitness tests I have to do to meet the weekly requirements so I have needed the support from the hockey community to make sure I get through all the practices I have to.
“Previously when preparing for national games I struggled to get a space to practise but everyone has been so helpful and so supportive at Border hockey.”
Parkside Ladies Hockey club coach Jason van Zyl confirms that everyone at the club is overjoyed for Wood and believe that this is the start of a wonderful professional career in the sport for her.
Jason van Zyl said: “It’s an incredible achievement. She is an upcoming youngster that has been there and what I love most is that South African hockey recognises that she’s from a small town but that would not stop her from playing for South Africa.
“It is an amazing achievement and she is flying our flag high.
“Everyone is standing behind her to support her all the way,” says van Zyl.