Greta's SA hopes

A FORMER Les Beaucamps and Grammar School student is having trials for the South Africa under-21 hockey team.

Cape Town born Greta Raath, 19, has returned to her South African roots to study at the University of Stellenbosch. She has also found time to play hockey and has been chosen for the U21 Western Province squad to play in the Interprovincial Tournament, which doubles up as trials for the national side.

Her mother Adri said she is desperately hoping to put the green shirt of South Africa on.

'That's her dream,' said Mrs Adri Raath, who still lives in the island. 'She much wanted to play for England but never had the opportunity.'

Raath came to the island with her family eight years ago. An Afrikaans speaker, Greta (pictured) did not know any English when she first arrived.

She was sent to Les Beaucamps, where her mother said PE teacher Helen Banks took her under her wing and helped nurture her hockey talent. The deeply religious Raath junior's development continued at Grammar, specifically thanks to Ian and Emma Hughes and PE teacher Kath Guille.

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