The 25-year-old Kimberley-born Southern Gauteng and South Africa defender Lance Louw took one look at Parktown Boys’ High’s Astro hockey pitch at the Johannesburg school and never looked back.
Today he is ready for the final phase of build-up to the London Olympic Games after South Africa’s nerve wracking 2-1 win over host nation Japan in the Olympic qualifying tournament at an emotion-charged Gifu Green Stadium exactly 14 days ago.
“I have still got to make the team for London so I am not presuming anything,” says the compact defender.
Clearly sport is in the genes.
“I come from a sporting family; my mother played hockey for Griqualand West and my grandfather was an SA cricket player in the isolation era.”
There is also a little help from above. “I attribute my achievements to the grace of God and my parents, while my girlfriend has also been there for me; they have provided the support and encouragement I needed to achieve what I have. I also need to mention all my hockey coaches and mentors who have assisted me from the very beginning until now.
“Through this I have been developed into the player I am today. My sponsors, Gryphon and Muscle Science, have also played a massive role in my success.”
Louw also has an understanding boss who appreciates how much it means to the IT engineer to play for his country.
Apart from London, semi-pro hockey in Europe or India is also a dream.
But a dream that became very real was the OQT in Japan.
“It was incredible; that final will remain with me for the rest of my life. I played in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, in Delhi, but Japan is the pinnacle so far. Although our goal at Champs Challenge in Randburg five months ago was to get to the final to qualify for London, winning the bronze medal against higher-ranked Argentina was another highlight for me and the team. We were able to better our 2009 Champs Challenge performance from fifth to third and this boosted our confidence for Japan.
“This SA team’s ethos and dedication is superb, both on and off the field. We stick together through thick and thin. We push each other as much as we can and this results in better individual and team performances. Even when faced with challenges like not always being able to train as a team due to our daily jobs and some of the guys playing overseas, we all strive to give 100% effort and keep each other up to date with our training.
“We all have similar goals and ambitions, which help us. Many of our players play overseas and the experience they gain is to our benefit.”
Would going to London 2012 be the fulfilment of a dream held since youth?
“The Olympic Games is any sportsperson’s ultimate goal. However we want to do well in London. Just getting to the Games is not enough.”
Does ‘Lano’ have plans to retire anytime soon, whether he gets to London or not, or is World Cup 2014 in Holland the “final frontier”? Does he have plans to continue to the Rio 2016 Games? These questions got short shrift.
“Retirement is not at all on the cards for me. I would be honoured to represent SA in the 2014 World Cup and Rio Olympics; if it is God’s will.”
Post-hockey, skydiving is top of the wish list.
Lano might just be reaching for the sky sooner than he thinks. – Sunday Independent