adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
DESPITE winning numerous awards, Zimbabwean hockey player Rachel Goromonzi is not resting and hopes for bigger things to come in her career.Goromonzi started playing hockey as a six-year-old but it was at Watershed College in Marondera that her break came through when she won a place to Limestone College in the United States of America.
Last year the Zimbabwean star became the only first team player to be named in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association First Team All- American while playing for her college.
In 2011, the 21-year old, was named the Most Valuable Player, the Rookie of the Year as well as the Limestone top goal scorer but she is hoping for better things to come.
“I would love to turn pro. I want to continue playing hockey because I have been playing since I was six. It’s really hard to let something like that go away, especially when I am playing for the college first team and I have the opportunity to play for my national team and be able to do something for them and give back to the country.
“But I feel honoured to win all the accolades because at times when you enjoy something, you just do it. However, the ability to touch people and have them recognising you is just a phenomenal feeling.
“Honestly, I did not expect to get recognition like this from people and I enjoy the support I get and I really appreciate everything,” said Goromonzi.
The hockey star returned to her base in the United States on Thursday after having been back home for the festive season and is looking forward to setting more milestones.
“My season starts in August, so the semester that I am going for is the spring whereby we train, run, condition and work out on my talents,” said Goromonzi
Goromonzi broke into the national team while she was still in high school in 2009 and said he has even surprised herself by winning several awards in the United States.
“I have actually surprised myself with what I have achieved so far in hockey. I have achieved some things that I never thought that I could achieve.
“But there is always room for improvement, to keep going on what I have started,” Goromonzi said.
Daughter to former football administrator and Liverpool fan, Joseph Goromonzi, Rachel said her family drives her to scale dizzy heights in her career.
“My family motivates me, they keep pushing me and I have this desire to compete and exceed expectations of the other athletes out there.
“I would urge the up-and-coming players to keep going on, perseverance is the key to success. Hard work is the best and it’s easy to take hockey or any other sport for granted when in high school but it’s important to remain focused,” she said.
Rachel, who has been hogging the limelight in the United States, said her most memorable match was the championship final last year where she scored the priceless winning goal.
“My most memorable match was when we played Lindenwood University last season in the championship. It was a very nerve-wrecking game, we were up 3-0 in the first half but in the last 10 minutes of the second half, Lindenwood managed to score three goals and we went into overtime.
“We went to the penalty shoot-out and I was the last person to take the penalty and managed to execute a goal. It was something precious for the programme since it was our first championship.
“There were two goals from our team from the penalty shoot-out and I scored the winning goal,” she said.
Goromonzi is a utility player who is mainly used as a forward by her coach at Limestone College although she enjoys playing in the backline.
“I can play anywhere but at school, I play attack. I would prefer to play in defence because I love being at the back but my coach saw something in me yet I enjoy being at the back,” she said.
Online Reporter