Photo credit: Photos courtesy of ACK Sport Photography

At the start of my career, transitioning between indoor and outdoor hockey was definitely a challenge. The sticks felt different in weight and balance, and the much smaller indoor court meant I had far less space to work with than on an outdoor field. At first, that affected my timing, my positioning, and how I created space for myself and my teammates.

Over time, though, I learned to adjust my technique and mindset for each format. I focused on quicker decision-making indoors, using shorter touches and sharper changes of direction, while outdoors I worked on using the larger space more effectively and adapting my stick control to the different stick. With consistent practice and match experience, switching between the two became much more natural.

Namibia are a tough nation when it comes to indoor hockey – what do you think makes them so good?

One of the things that makes Namibia such a tough opponent is their ability to spend a lot of time together as a squad. Because many of the girls also play together at club level, they already have strong on-field chemistry and an understanding of each other’ s games. That continuity and familiarity give them a significant advantage, especially in fast-paced, highpressure matches.

I expect the new caps to take in the opportunity and appreciate what it means to represent the team. We want them to compete confidently, play to the best of their ability, and embrace the challenge rather than shy away from it.

Of course, there are standards and structures that we have built as a team, and we expect everyone to learn them quickly and work hard to uphold them. At the same time, it is important that new players feel free to express themselves on the field and bring their own strengths to the group. A strong team culture balances clear expectations with the confidence for players to be themselves.

I also want them to understand that mistakes are part of sport, especially when you are learning at this level. What matters is how quickly you respond, learn from the mistake, and keep contributing to the team.

Yes, I definitely enjoy the role of being a mentor. I find it really rewarding to help the newer players settle in, show them the ropes, and guide them as they adjust to the team and the level of competition.

For this series, I’ m hoping we build strong cohesion as a group, test and refine our structures under pressure, and gain confidence against high-quality opposition. Individually, I want to sharpen my decision-making in tight spaces and make sure I’ m contributing consistently at both ends of the court.

Looking beyond this series, the focus is on using these experiences to prepare for our national camp and Nkosi Cup coming ahead. The aim is to keep improving as a team, learn from every match, and position ourselves to perform at our best when it matters most, especially leading into Nkosi Cup.

To be honest, putting on the green and gold always feels special. The first time I wore it was incredible. That was the moment I realised all my hard work had paid off and that I had achieved a dream little Edith once had.

But every time I pull on that jersey now, it feels even more meaningful. It’ s no longer just about me or my journey. It’ s about representing my people and my country. I wear it for those who came before me, for my teammates in this squad, for the little girls who dream of standing here one day, and for the women who never got the same opportunity. That’ s what makes it so powerful: knowing I’ m carrying their hopes, their stories, and their belief every time I step onto the court.

I’ ve loved indoor hockey from the moment I started playing, and that hasn’ t changed. I enjoy how fast the game is and how quickly situations can shift from one end to the other. I like working in tight spaces and the level of discipline it demands, because if even one player is out of position, it can change everything. The need to think on your feet and solve problems instantly is what I love most, and the fact that there’ s less distance to cover makes the intensity even higher.