Small town hockey star, 16, chosen to represent SA in Netherlands - and just needs some help

News24

08-05-2025

Meet Alzira Potgieter, a determined Grade 10 pupil from the small town of Volksrust, Mpumalanga, who's defying the odds and chasing her dreams.
From a lower-middle-class background with a single parent, Alzira's talent and hard work have earned her a spot on South Africa's U16 hockey team.
A tour to the Netherlands in October costs R55 000, and Alzira has appealed for support to turn her dream into a reality.
From a small town filled with big dreams, Grade 10 pupil Alzira Potgieter from Volksrust, Mpumalanga, has risen above the odds to proudly represent South Africa in hockey at an international level in the Netherlands.
Her mother, Julia Dlamini, said what sets Potgieter apart is her resilience, determination, and passion. She hails from a household where financial constraints served as hurdles but never broke her spirit.
Speaking to News24, the Grade 10 scholarship student from Ligbron Academy of Technology in Mpumalanga expressed that this was a life-changing opportunity for her and her family, meaning the world to them.
'Representing South Africa has been one of my biggest dreams, and finally, it's about to become reality. I'm honoured to represent my country with dignity and enthusiasm because it truly means the world to me. Younger Alzira would definitely be proud, and I can't wait to make the rest of my country proud.'
Potgieter's journey is one of hope and hard work. Since picking up a hockey stick at the tender age of seven, her dedication to sport has never wavered. Her goal? Not just personal victories but also inspiring others.
'It will inspire younger girls in my community to think greater than their situations. I want the people in the Netherlands to see my passion for hockey. I want to achieve much more, like playing for our country — representing all of South Africa — even after high school,' she said.
She credited much of her success to her biggest supporter — her mother, who has been a single parent and the sole breadwinner for the family.
'My mom works at Eskom and has been hustling for me and my three sisters. I grew up without my father; he's an absent parent in my life. But despite everything, my mom encouraged us to work hard and balance sports and academics.'
She added that this opportunity holds tremendous value not just for her but for her entire family.
'It would mean a lot to my family because I'm the first child in our household to get such a big opportunity to go overseas,' she adds.
Potgieter's determination is coupled with maturity far beyond her years. 'Mentally, I am focused on the outcomes of the tour. Emotionally, I'm leaving space for disappointment, but I'm not letting the stress get to my head. I'm very excited about the tour and am already training myself in advance.
'I believe that a hockey player's mindset should not be about giving up but about keeping your head held high. My goal is to make myself and my mom proud because she's been my biggest supporter, and giving up would be a huge disappointment for her,' she said.
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Though the journey has been filled with hurdles, she remains optimistic about overcoming the financial challenges that could otherwise impede her dream.
'Receiving financial assistance would be of great help because we can't do this without people's help,' she says earnestly, extending her gratitude to anyone willing to support her journey.
Dlamini, said she is proud of her daughter and wishes that she would get funding.
'She's a tough cookie, just like her mom. She puts her all into everything she does. Even at the school she's at now, she got a scholarship because she's also good at athletics.
'I'm very excited and wish that people really help her get the funding to go because I'm a single parent, and I can't afford to pay for her,' she said.
The left wing's coach, Lelanie Sprintjuf, said: 'Alzira is a very strong runner; she carries a ball with tremendous speed, no one can catch up. When she decides the outcome, nothing can affect her attitude. She stands firmly in the belief of team spirit and hard work.
'I am a firm believer in 'opportunities changing lives'; this is what it can do for her. She has a tremendous amount of potential,' she said.
Petrus Du Plessis of Into Africa Sports PTY LTD, the organiser, said that they don't provide any fundraising for the athletes, only sponsorship letters.
This means athletes are encouraged to seek sponsorship independently to make the tours financially feasible.
To facilitate this, Inter Africa Sports assists athletes with the necessary documents for sponsorship proposals.
"We give them sponsorship letters for them to go and look for sponsors. So, we just acknowledge that this person or this kid is going to tour to the Netherlands, and then we give them a letter that just confirms that," he said.
The tour cost to the Netherlands is R55 000, and it will be happening in October.