Zwei Monate war Simone Gast des BTHV und der Familie Weber-McGrath. Simone ist südafrikanische Nationalspielerin und kommt aus Bloemfontein, der sechstgrößten Stadt Südafrikas und vor allem bekannt durch seine vielen 
Universitäten. Wer sich die Zeit nahm, mit ihr zu unterhalten, konnte sehr schnell feststellen: trotz ihrer erst 18 Jahre ist sie schon sehr nachdenklich und tiefgründig. Hier ihr Interview zum Abschied – am Mittwoch fliegt sie zurück in ihre Heimat:
Foto: Simone bei der WM und dem Spiel Deutschland – Südafrika – 2. von links neben der deutschen Fahne – proud to be a South African……
Q: How did you come to play hockey – surely not a common sport in South Africa??
A: I started playing hockey cause in the second grade my mom told me that I had to have a winter sport (back home it is a winter sport for primary school kids). She told me to try out hockey and I didn’t want to. I went for the trials and I just fell in love with the game and my passion for it just grew stronger and stronger since then, I can still feel it growing by the day.
Q: I read on Whats App: Life itself will point out the right time to act fearlessly und try new roads. Is that why you came to Germany??
A: Not really. I just needed a change in life after finishing school
Q: And how did Bonn come into the picture..??
A: Jan contacted me during the World Cup in London. And actually I had free time after leaving the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the rest of the year off and I thought it was a good opportunity.
Q: Had you ever heard of Bonn before??
A: No, I actually googled BTHV and I read something about a grass field…..
Q: Your first impression after a week or two…??
A: I really liked it. The life style is completely different to my life in South Africa. Just one example: you couldn’t go home on a bike at 10.30 in the evening – for several reasons. Everyone is always friendly and always wants to help. I like the fact that everyone supports everyone for instance on a Sunday if you finished your game you don’t go home, you go shower and you watch the men or the second team, Doesn’t matter who is playing: Everyone stays and watches and cheers for the team playing. I like the fact that it is so beautiful here, you can go for a walk at the Rhein and it’s breathtaking.
Q: What is the main difference between hockey in Germany and hockey in South Africa??
A: Hockey in Germany is more about passing and very structured. We don’t have a nationwide league. We have a league system in the cities of Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town but the clubs don’t play against each other. We only have a championship of the 9 provinces.
Q: You were really unlucky – injured in a game of the 2nd team. Your thoughts?? It must have been tough.
A: Back home you can play only in one team. It was a learning curve for me – especially to be patient. I hate not playing and it drove me insane.
Q: Your flying back on Wednesday: your final impressions??
A: I still stand by what I said before: I really really liked it. And a special thank you to my host family McGrath-Weber for the two months for making me feel at home!!
Q: And when you are back home, your next plans??
A: Good question. Don’t really know yet. Will see what the future has planned for me.
I can give you a tip: Life itself will point out the right time to act fearlessly und try new roads…!!!! :-)
Q: Will we see you again??
A: I would love to come back but I need to start studying at some point.
Q: One final question on a totally different matter: you played at the World Cup in London this year. South Africa will probably qualify for the Olympics 2020. In 2016 you also qualified but South Africa couldn’t play because the South African Olympic committee wouldn’t pay for the trip. Isn’t that totally frustrating??
A: Heartbreaking!!! Even if I wasn’t on the team yet because too young at the time.
Simone, I’m sure I speak for many in our club: we wish you all the best for your future and hope to see you back in Bonn one day – always welcome!!!
