Being agile, quick and excellent reflexes are what it takes to be an outstanding hockey goalkeeper – Tuks’s Lilly-Anne Theron ticks all the boxes.
During the USSA Tournament, she proved that a good keeper rises to the occasion when the game is on the line. She did not only block shots. She anticipated them. In doing so, she helped the Tuks women’s team win. It led to her getting the award as best keeper. During the recent Interprovincial Tournament, Theron was again at her best when she played for the South African under-21-side.
The Tuks Sports Science student makes no secret about loving and cherishing the challenges of being a goalkeeper. Hockey, to her, is the ultimate game.
“I have tried most sports at school. The reason I chose hockey is because it is unique. It is a physical game, so you need to be fit. Many consider playing as a keeper to be dangerous. To me, it is not.
“It all started for me watching from the sidelines as my sister practised hockey. One day, there was a group of keepers training. It looked so cool because of the way they dived and slid in an effort to stop the ball. I asked my mom when I could join them. In Grade Five, when they asked who wanted to be the goalkeeper, My hand was in the air first.”
Asked about her best attributes as a keeper, Theron said, “I’m somebody that stays on my feet. I don’t really dive and get off my feet quite often. I also like to talk to the backs and the links. I do so because, as a keeper, I can see the whole game play out in front of me. I see stuff that my teammates don’t because their focus is on the ball. A big part of being a goalkeeper is to be able to read the game. It enables me to help my teammates by telling them where the players are and what they should do.”
What is the secret of keeping the ball from hitting the back of the net in a penalty shootout?
“At times, it can be stressful. Personally, it is like my mind goes blank. All I’m thinking is you have to stall the player from scoring. So, I pray that the Lord will be with me and keep me calm. I like to look at who I’m going at and who’s coming because you know some of the players, so you know who has good skills, who has a good hit, or, yeah, stuff like that.”
