Published on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by Gally

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Photo Taken By: Amelia Cox

Name: Austin Smith
Age: 24
Test Caps: 58
Test Goals:14

When did you make your Debut and how did it feel to represent your country for the 1st time?

My debut was in March 2004 in Pretoria. I played in a 3 match series against Canada, and to be honest it was all a little bit to much for me at that stage. I was 18 at the time and although I felt immensely proud to be part of the senior team I felt well out of my depth. It was only until I started training regularly with the senior team that I felt more comfortable, and could really begin to enjoy it.

You have recently moved to play in the Dutch league after many years in the English hockey environment. How has playing in these leagues benefited you (Technically, Tactically, Training styles and ethics, growing as an individual both on and off the field? Etc.)

Playing in the English Premier League made the biggest difference in my game. The standard of the training sessions was what I enjoyed the most. Although we only trained for two hours twice a week with a game on the weekend, the quality of what we did and with the players I had around me made it top quality. I chose Reading Hockey Club because of the level of players that were already there. It meant that every time I trained I needed to be at my best, and my game rapidly developed in all aspects. You get shown up quickly when you’re having an off day and that motivated me to get better when I trained on my own. Tactically, I have also gained a deeper understanding of the game. We had a great coach who taught me a number of new concepts which has given me a great understanding of the movements required within a team to become successful.
 
How does the standard of hockey in England and Holland compare to hockey in SA? (ie. Club, Provincial and National)

It’s hard to compare the Dutch and UK leagues with what we have in South Africa as they play a national league. If we were lucky enough to have a system where that were possible I think the level would be a lot closer to theirs. We have a number of highly talented players in South Africa, the problem is they don’t play against each other often enough. I think any of our provincial sides could match a premier UK club side. So while the situation of players being out of reach of each other in South Africa continues I would recommend that more players go overseas to play in the premier leagues. The emphasis is to have players compete in the top leagues and not to mess about in the lower ones.

How has it been as captain of the SA men’s team with the new group of players?

I couldn’t have asked for an easier group to work with. All of the younger players who have joined the squad have added immense value, unafraid to challenge the so called ’senior’ players of the team which I really enjoy. Just because you may have been there longer doesn’t make you better. Hockey is only getting faster and more dynamic, and this means you can’t sit back and admire your past selections, you need to keep improving. The new group gives us this dimension, along with a will to succeed and to achieve new things for the South African hockey community. I feel honoured to lead this group!

What preparation are you as the individual and the SA team as a whole doing as a build up to the Champions Challenge later this year, the World Cup and Commonwealth Games next year? Ie. Camps, Tours, Test matches?

There are a number of players currently playing in foreign leagues, who will be flying back to Durban at the end of October to meet the rest of the locally based players for a weeks camp. After that we will meet up again in late November to go to Argentina for the Champions Challenge. The new years plans are not all finalised yet, but will entail some training and test matches in January before the World Cup in March. That’s all I’m really focused on for the moment.

If you could add any dimension to your game, what would it be?

I’m currently working on my 1 v 1 attacking skills. The ability to put pressure on your opposite number is really important and I need to get better at it.

Most memorable hockey moment?

Scoring the opening goal for Team South Africa at the Beijing Olympics against Pakistan. I had spent months prior to the Olympics training that flick and for it to come off first time was incredible.

Do you believe the current group of players can break into the top 8 in world hockey?

Yes, and I know every player in our squad believes it. The line is so fine between coming 1st and last at a Champions Challenge, and that’s the battle we have ahead of ourselves. We need to make sure we are on the ‘right side’ of the fine line for a change, then we will see some changes in the rankings.

Tell us about Austin Smith when he’s not playing hockey?

I’m about to finish my Bachelor of Education degree, that has been taking up a lot of my time but I’ve enjoyed it and look forward to teaching full time one day. As I always say “full time work will always be there, being young enough to travel and play hockey full time is not”. Besides that I love going back to South Africa and spending some precious time at home and with my family and mates. Traveling with my girlfriend is also up there!

Other interests?

You may be interested to know that I’m a keen gardener! I think it has to do with my compulsive need to have things look neat and orderly. I find it really relaxing and rewarding…