Introducing Wits Hockey Player Bonolo Moabi

Former Rynfield Primary School Hockey Sportswoman of the Year, Bonolo Moabi, has been making a name for herself on the sport field.

Following her incredible start in primary school, Moabi went onto play in the U14 team at her high school, Pretoria High School for Girls, where she won the Most Promising Junior Hockey Player Award.

In 2016, she was chosen to be part of the Gauteng provincial U14 hockey team, which was a huge step forward in her desire to one-day play for the national women’s team.

Now in 2023, the Wits Hockey player chats to Oarabile Diphoko about her love of the game, her hockey idols and the challenges that come along the way.

Who is Bonolo Moabi?

I am a very shy person at first, I tend to really keep to myself and being as reserved as I am it’s taught me how to be very aware. I’m aware of the people around me, the environment I’m in, as well as the person I am. Although it takes me awhile to get out of my comfort zone, once I’m comfortable with someone I won’t stop talking or cracking jokes, or even sharing TikTok’s. I consider myself to be a huge lover, I have a lot of love and care to give. I’m the sensitive child who thrives off of good energy and overall positive emotions, I was raised to be stronger and powerful by my mother and as I’ve grown, I’ve witnessed the strength she gives me seep into my very own personality.

How did you get into playing hockey?

I’ve always been an athlete, but I thrived most in Cross Country and Athletics. When I was in grade 5 one day after sprints training, my athletics coach, Coach Grant, had asked me if I knew about hockey and I said no. So, he told me to try out. I remember his exact words: “You have the speed; all you’ll need to work on is skill.” That has followed me for ten years now, although I’m not as fast as I used to be, I sure do have a lot more skill.

Who are some of your favourite hockey players that you look up too?

My first hockey idol was Sulette Damons, I felt so inspired by her and I could genuinely see myself as her. I felt represented. A little black girl from Benoni who dreamed to be as good as her. I look up to Robyn Johnson a lot too, she’s played in the Olympics and World Cup, she’s both capped in indoor and outdoor, having played with her and coached by her, I can say I’ve had a front row seat witnessing her work ethic. She is such an amazing player and she really believes in me, which means a lot. She is someone I look up to because she gives back to the hockey community. I have an immense amount of respect for her.

In 2016, you were chosen to be part of the Gauteng provincial U14 hockey team. What did that huge achievement mean to you, considering the team went on to finish in 2nd place?

It was a very wholesome start to high school provincial hockey. I remember my team was really just there to have fun and along the way we were winning games and unfortunately lost the final to a team we had beaten in the pool matches. It meant a lot to me. I hadn’t placed that high in an outdoor tournament before, so it was a heartwarming achievement. Even to this till this day, I am best friends with some of my Gauteng U14 teammates, I won more than a medal n that tournament.

In 2019, you travelled to the USA for field hockey and to Germany for the indoor hockey. Tell us about those experiences.

Being in a different country for the first time is always a unique experience. I loved traveling to both America and Germany, the fast lifestyle of New York is unimaginable and trying a Philly Cheesesteak for the first time probably altered my brain chemistry. The hockey in America is impressive but I was proper blown away by the hockey in Germany and Holland, I learned a lot there and made some unforgettable memories. Walking to grab food with my teammates late at night, walking through streets packed with clothing stores, there’s a whole lot of walking done that side. I came back not only a better player but I happier one too.

Just like with anything in life we do encounter challenges along the way. What have been some of the toughest things you’ve had to overcome so far in your playing career?

Anxiety, as much as there’s a lot of politics within the sport, just like every other sport. The one thing the I deem my biggest challenge is my own fear of not being great or excelling. Although I look like a very calm and relaxed player on the field/court. Deep down I feel like my heart could explode every time I play a match. It’s something I obviously work on and have gotten better with. I think my greatest obstacle is just believing in myself. A lot of people struggle with this so I know I’m not alone, and if anything fake it till you make it.

Where do you see yourself in the future in terms of playing hockey?

I would absolutely love to play for the national team and achieve some caps more than anything. I think that is almost anyone’s dream but I would really consider that such a privilege.

Looking at your hockey journey so far, who has been there supporting you throughout?

My mom. Without a doubt. My mom has been to every game. She took me to my very first practice and best believe if I didn’t know how to drive she’d take me to my next one. It’s very wholesome to see her in the stands while I’m playing, growing up I realized she didn’t do all this because she had to, she did it all because she wanted to. I went to boarding school and she would still come pick me up and take me to club training that ended at 10pm. Drop me back at hostel and drive back home, and home was far. Nobody has supported me like her. She is my number 1 supporter – I owe all I am to her.

We recently hosted the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup on home soil, with the ladies’ team making history, finishing in 4th place. What are your thoughts on this milestone and what it entails for women’s sport?

I think it shows not only our country but other countries internationally that we as South Africans can also play and show up and challenge them. Women’s Indoor continues to grow at a gradual pace. I’m very impressed with how the women did and I’m only excited about the future for us as a collective.

Any advice you’d give to young girls looking to pursue hockey as a career?

Do it! Hockey is such a beautiful team sport, it helps with making friends and growing within a community that feels like family. It could teach you a lot of things too, like discipline and time management. I would really like to urge young girls of colour into the sport, as much as it’s beautiful to see a version of yourself in the older professional player, it is equally as beautiful for an older player to see a child that reminds them of a younger version of themselves.

Photo Caption: Wits Hockey player Bonolo Moabi chats to Oarabile Diphoko about her love of the game, her hockey idols and the challenges that come along the way. Photo: Supplied