SKYE'S THE LIMIT

A Grade 9 Settlers High School learner has been chosen to represent South Africa at the 2025 Belgotex Sport Invitational in Netherlands, but needs help with funding to chase her hockey dream.

Skye Simmers, 14, has shown promise since starting to play in primary school. 

Her skills and teamwork earned her numerous awards and the young hockey yster has gone from strength to strength.

But it hasn't just been plain sailing for the talented meisie.

Her mother, Letitia Fortuin told the Daily Voice says that missing out on making the Western Province in Grade 7 left her daughter in tears. 

But the determined youngster knuckled down and achieved her goals in both Grade 8 and 9.

Letitia said: “She started playing in the girls' first team this year, because they saw her performing with the U14 team so they bumped her to first team this year. 

“Her dream one day is to play in the Netherlands.”

The Belgotex Sport Invitational tournament scouts players from each province based on a player who stood out to the panel at different tournaments. 

Those players are then played in a pool of which the highest-calibre players are selected to play in the tournament from 5 October to 14 October.

Letitia added: “I am so proud of her and on top of her playing at school and for the province she plays club hockey as well. 

“She trains two hours twice a week for her club, two hours on a Saturday for province and one hour twice a week for the school.

“She makes time for her studies and time to socialise with her friends. We try to keep it balanced.”

Her family have created a Back a Buddy page under "Skye's europe hockey tour" to generate funds for Skye to chase her dream and to continue thriving in her hockey career.