A long journey to play a game
Recruiting is difficult enough for small schools.
But it is even more difficult when schools have to go overseas to do it.
CMU’s field hockey team knows this, as it has four players from South Africa.
Senior back Cortney Blanchard, freshman midfielder Kim Erasmus, freshman midfielder Lizl Gericke, sophomore midfielder Samantha Sandham and assistant coach Earl Marais are from South Africa.
“I know I can go to (my teammates and coach) and don’t have to speak English,” Gericke said. “I can just relax and let my guard down.”
Living far from home and being away from family is one of the toughest parts about living in Mount Pleasant, Blanchard said.
Marais said Erasmus is on the computer after lunch almost every day talking to her mother. Web cams and telephone calls usually are the way they communicate with family back home.
One reason for the interest in South African players is their early introduction to the game
A long journey
Courtney Blanchard: Cape Town, South Africa
Lizl Gericke: Namibia, South Africa
Kim Erasmus: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Samantha Sandham: Cape Town, South Africa
Children begin to play as early as 5 years old and are taught the game, Marais said.
“The children learn the basics at such a young age that they can concentrate more on other things,” Sandham said.
The rules and the ball are different in the NCAA compared to overseas.
The dimpled ball used in South Africa is heavier and harder than the one played with in the U.S. The NCAA ball is smoother in an effort to prevent injuries.
After winning the MAC tournament last year, the quartet hopes to have similar success this season.
“We want to keep that standard up,” Blanchard said. “But we don’t know if that will happen and it will be a challenge.”
Sandham was second on the team in assists in her freshman season, while earning second team All-MAC honors. Her role will be larger as a sophomore.
“It’s nice coming in as a sophomore and having a little more knowledge of what to expect in the games,” she said.
Erasmus and Gericke hope to use their knowledge and experience to contribute to the team this season and earn regular minutes.
Field hockey is played in South Africa by all ages in clubs or for international play.
Those who play field hockey in clubs or professionally have a day job and then play field hockey because there isn’t much money made otherwise.
“It’s for the love of the game, basically,” Marais said.
