5 Life lessons learnt on the hockey field

Jaclyn Capazario recently returned from the Masters Hockey World Cup in Cape Town, where she played for the winning team – South Africa’s women’s 35As. She told us what she gained from the experience…

1. 1. EMBRACE EVERY OPPORTUNITY – NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES
      Jaclyn’s hockey journey began at six years old, and despite playing at provincial level as a teenager, she decided to step away from the game after school, focusing instead on her career and family. But life had other plans, bringing her back to hockey years later. “It’s been 30 years in the making,” she smiles. She believes her return to the sport is proof that the right moment may come later than expected but is always worth the wait.
   2. BUILD STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR TEAM
      For Jaclyn, the bond with her teammates was essential. Coach Jonty Robinson instilled a “high-five” rule: every time they entered a room, they literally connected with each other. This unique approach to team bonding brought them closer and built trust on and off the field. “People noticed an aura around us,” she says, explaining how these connections gave the team an edge. “We weren’t just there to play; we were there for each other.”
   3. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
      Jaclyn’s return to hockey, as it turns out, is what brought her and her family to Ballito. Originally from Benoni, she and her husband were considering relocating to Canada for work. But when Jaclyn was selected for the South African Masters squad, she knew she couldn’t leave. “I just couldn’t walk away from playing for my country,” she admits So, they chose Ballito, a place where her new community quickly became a source of incredible support. Fundraising efforts for the World Cup saw locals – from business owners to friends – come together to help. “The community here is incredible,” she says.
   4. LET SPORT TEACH YOU LIFE SKILLS
      Jaclyn believes sport is more than the game. It provides lifelong lessons in dedication, teamwork and resilience. “Sport teaches you so much – commitment, passion and teamwork. These are fundamentals you carry with you off the field,” she explains. The mindset that led her team to victory, “We don’t need it; we want it, and we are going to work incredibly hard to get it” is something she applies to every goal she sets in life.
   5. BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE
      The road to the finals was intense, but Jaclyn and her teammates stayed focused, defeating top international teams without conceding a single goal until the final. “We played with our big, South African hearts,” she says. “Our trust, belief and commitment to one another as teammates made all the difference on and off the field.”