In 2017, the British rock band 10cc was singing about how they don’t like cricket but love it; this sums up how the Dewar brothers, Matt and Alex, feel about hockey at Tuks.
A sixth-year medical student, Matt says playing hockey is a way for him to take a break from academics.
“I genuinely love playing hockey. Studying and playing go hand in hand. I can’t imagine the one without the other.”
Alex, the younger one studying to become a teacher, will tell you how he finds himself on the Astroturf playing around with a stick and ball when frustrated or stressed. It helps him get a new perspective on things. As he got older, hockey became his real passion.
Matt’s love for hockey started when he was a youngster beside the Astroturf, watching his dad, Andrew, try to outsmart opponents with innovative stick work and fleetfootedness dribbling the ball. History seemingly repeats itself, as Alex’s first memory of hockey is watching his brother play.
Matt has been playing for Tuks for the last six years. His highlights include helping Tuks to win twice the USSA Tournament (2021 and 2023) and once the Varsity Tournament. He has also played for the South African under-21-side. Alex made his debut last year playing for Tuks’s B-team.
“It is exciting to have my younger brother also playing at Tuks. It is the thing you dream of coming from playing together in our back garden as kids. As yet, we have not played that often on the same team, but every time we do, it is special. It is nice to have my younger brother having my back. He will tell you the same.”
Both brothers are midfielders. As to their best traits, Matt said, “I bring calmness to the team, being able to keep a level head in pressure situations. I also have a good tactical awareness of what ‘we’ want to achieve. Off the field, I like to mentor younger players. I am always open to chatting about tactics and the game.”
Alex prides himself on being one of the fitter players on any team.
“I can drag flick when needed, but I am more the player who will set up a goal, putting someone else in a position to score. My brother is, without a doubt, my biggest role model. He has influenced the way I think about the game.
“The most important thing he taught me is that there are no shortcuts to succeeding in sport. My brother and I are not the most talented players, but we keep playing better through hard work.”
The Dewar brothers are not the only siblings playing for Tuks. There is also Tegan and Cerian Fourie. Both sisters have represented South Africa. Tegan is the Tuks first team’s co-captain.
Luke and Elne Lourens are both playing for Tuks’s A-teams. Luke joined the club last year, and his sister this year. Tristan and Ethan Crawford have both been long-term committed players at the club.
