The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 103
PHOTOGRAPH GALLO IMAGES
SPORT
I was fortunate enough to attend
every major tournament: two
Olympics, two Commonwealth
Games, two World Cups, and four
African Cups. Without hockey,
I would not have seen as much
of the world as I have. If I had
to pick my favourite moment?
It would have to be the Olympics
– beating teams we technically
shouldn’t have, while having my
whole family there. But honestly,
my favourite part of any tour was
always before the game, in the
locker room. That was the peak.
Every time I put on the jersey, I felt
like a kid at Christmas. Goose
bumps. That never changed!
I’ve played with such special
players throughout my career.
Locally, my favourites were Dayaan
and Mustapha Cassiem, my best
mates, who I once coached at
First XI level. Watching them go
from two skinny kids missing
early-morning training sessions
at school to being the most
disciplined and hardworking
players on the global hockey
scene was special. And it was
a full-circle moment when I was
able to make my debut with
Dayaan at Hartleyvale and with
“Muzz” at the USA series in Durban.
I was also fortunate enough
to play professionally in the
Netherlands for a club called
Almere in the Hoofdklasse, playing
against the top 20 players in the
world every week. That was eyeopening and humbling. You realise
you are very small in this sport
when you play against truly worldclass players – a constant reminder
that you’re forever a student of the
game. Nothing you’ve achieved
should ever get to your head
because there are people on
a different level in every craft.
Head coach of the First XI team
since 2024, Ryan is now Technical
Director of all hockey at Bishops.
Being a national sportsman
changed me more than I realised.
In South Africa, hockey is not wellfunded, so everyone in the national
team is very relatable. Because
you don’t get paid, it’s just pure
passion, and that makes the South
African hockey player different. It
also taught me grit. Twelve hours
before our Nations Cup game
against Pakistan in 2022, our bags
were packed outside the hotel
because we were being thrown
out. We had to park that concern,
perform in the game, and qualify
for Pro League. We had to learn to
roll with the punches and thrive
even when things were uncertain.
South African hockey is on the
cusp of doing something great.
We’ve produced world-class
players, and the youth looks
positive. We just need to be
patient. It will come.
I may have retired from outdoor
hockey, but the sport will still be
central to my life. I’ve shifted to
coaching and mentoring younger
players, having recently resigned
from my job in import and export
logistics to take up the role of
“Every time I put on the jersey, I felt like a kid at
Christmas. Goose bumps. That never changed!”
Technical Director of Hockey at
Bishops across Pre-Prep, Prep and
College. That’s my passion: hockey
plus growing and mentoring the
younger generation.
I’m also the head coach of the
Bishops First XI team, but I’ve
decided to do it alone this year.
The passing of my assistant coach,
Cassa Cassiem, was a tough pill
to swallow. His footprint in the
Bishops community and in my
life is massive. When I think of
my time within the South African
hockey community, he’s probably
the person I spent the most time
with. Losing him reminds me
how fragile everything is.
So yes, my life is still in hockey;
I’m just taking a different
approach. I’m also really excited
about being involved in the
scholarship programme. Before
Bishops, I was at CBC St John’s,
where we didn’t have an Astro,
and I had to learn and develop
accordingly – so I think I have
a good eye for identifying similar
talent, linking up those boys
with an opportunity at Bishops.
I’m extremely excited about
this next chapter. I say that not
in arrogance, but because it’s a
passion of mine, and something
that brings me a huge amount of
joy. I wake up every day knowing
it makes me happy. It’s rewarding
because I have the ability to
influence kids’ lives daily, and
impacting those around you is
one of the biggest achievements in
life. I’m excited to continue adding
value, giving back to Bishops what
the school has given me, leaving
the place in a better position
than I found it.
When you depart this world,
what you leave behind is the
impact you had on others. That’s
the most tangible thing you can
leave – and that gives me a huge
amount of passion and drive for
what’s ahead.
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 99
