Her dream of placing ice hockey on an international rink has finally become a reality, but this Goodwood meisie needs your help in raising R15 500.
Kaylin Lategan, 19, fell in love with ice hockey four years ago and now she has the opportunity to represent South Africa at the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division in Bulgaria, taking place from 4 to 12 December.
“The funds aren’t available now but it would really mean the world for me to go on this trip. It will be my first time going overseas as well,” she says.
“Being able to represent my country and having the opportunity to bring home the gold as our rugby boys have.”
The dedicated player is currently taking a gap year to focus on her sport, and practises six times a week.
While in Bulgaria, the South African team will be up against countries like Hong Kong, Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania.
Her proud mother, Karen Lategan, 39, says she’d give anything to see her daughter go.
DREAM TRIP: With mother Karen, 39. Picture: MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUPPLIED
“Ice hockey is a very rare sport in Cape Town and in South Africa and it’s extremely expensive.
“Kaylin does have her gear, hockey stick and skates but needs winter gear, and the jacket alone costs R2 000, her flights and accommodation adds up to R13 500,” the single mom explains.
“When she started ice hockey, she told me: ‘Mommy, one day I want to play for South Africa’.”
Kaylin has started a BackABuddy page to raise money for her trip.
STAR: Kaylin Lategan. Picture: MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUPPLIED
If you’d like to assist, find Kaylin Lategan on the page or call her on 064 684 1361
.