Marsha Dean|Published
Lukishia Snyders
A Hanover Park rugby player who needed R60 000 to compete overseas has made it to Australia with the help of her community and is preparing to represent South Africa at the International Tag Federation World Cup.
Lukishia Snyders, 24, is part of South Africa’s Women’s Open team competing in Coffs Harbour from October 15 to 18. It is her first trip abroad, just a year after she started playing tag rugby for fun.
Snyders and her teammates departed Cape Town International Airport on October 8 after months of fundraising to cover their travel costs.
The tournament will feature 200 teams and approximately 4 500 players and coaches, making it one of the biggest gatherings in international tag rugby history.
Snyders said she only started playing tag rugby after friends invited her to join them for fun, but things quickly turned serious.
“I have been playing tag since last year. My friends invited me to a series just to do fun games, but I ended up competing in a two-day trial.
Lukishia Snyders is flying the SA flag in Australia.
“In January I received feedback, which is when I was told that I had been selected to be part of the South African team.
“This is my first time going abroad. And having to represent my country on top of that is stirring up a lot of emotions. I am excited, nervous, anxious, all in one.”
She also plays touch and contact rugby and coaches the girls’ rugby team at Groote Schuur High School.
But getting to Australia was no easy feat, with the team having to raise funds to cover the cost of the trip.
As a non-profit organisation, they faced a tough challenge, with each player and coach needing about R60 000 to make the trip.
Snyders said she was grateful to her community, family and friends who helped her raise the money to get on the plane.
BON VOYAGE: On her way to rep the country in Australia
The rugby star explained: “We are a non-profit organisation and struggled to come up with the funds; it was not easy.
“It costs us about R60 000 per player, including the coaches. It took a lot of effort to raise funds, but thanks to my community, family and friends I was able to raise funds.”
Now she is ready to give it her all on the international stage and prove that talent and determination can be found innie Hanover Park.
“My game plan is to do my best and just explore while I’m there.
“When people hear Hanover Park, they think gun violence and all the bad things that are portrayed in the news. But I am proud to be from Hanover Park. Despite the poverty, there is always good that can come out of your community.
“Your circumstances do not define your future; it’s all about the choices you make and what you make of yourself.
“My dream is to be part of the South African Women’s Team in the future,” she said.