Maties Sport Women’s Month Article
“Growth takes grit and grace.”
During the month of August – celebrated as Women’s Month in South Africa – we at Maties Sport will take the opportunity to celebrate some of the extraordinary women who – with grit and grace – makes a difference in the lives of our student-athletes and the university sport environment.
Hannah Bevis & Karabo – High Performance Unit Interns
Hannah Bevis and Karabo Abuki became interns at the Maties Sport High Performance Unit in in the year that will always be known as the year Covid-19 struck and changed their paths in a dramatic way.
For both 2021 is their second year as interns and once again it is a year disrupted, but Hannah and Karabo is not wasting a moment or chance to learn despite it all.
Looking at the meaning of Women’s Month Hannah said: “It is a time where I think back to those who came before me and stood up for the generation of women to come.”
Karabo adds: “It highlights who women are and what we do daily. Resilience amplified!”
Even though both are still very young, they are do realise that recognition for women in sport is a challenge.
“Women in sport do not generally get the support and resources they need. To get these, they usually must work twice as hard,” said Karabo.
Hannah agrees. “We have done some good for sure, but challenges like financial support is still a major challenge.”
While Hannah encourages young girls with sporting dreams to never give up on their dreams, Karabo mentions the importants of being willing to go the extra mile.
“Education and attitude create opportunity. Never stop learning and avail yourself to others even when they don’t know that they need you,” said Karabo.
At the HP Unit one of the basics is training for excellence. This duo has no problem with working hard to achieve excellence.
“I always want to do my job at the Maties Sport HP Unit with a level of excellence,” said Hannah.
Karabo adds: “I want to make sure I impact the lives of the student-athletes I get to work with.”