The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC’s) Lynn Abrahamse is simply living up to her dreams.
The coordinator and academic coach at the university’s Centre for Student Support Services is the manager of the South African senior hockey women’s team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – something she has always been dreaming about.
“I am extremely happy with my appointment. It has always been my dream to manage the senior team at a major international tournament, so the opportunity to be a part of Team SA at the Commonwealth Games has really been a dream come true,” she said.
Abrahamse, who has been the manager of various junior national hockey teams since 2016, was one of the two interim managers appointed by the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) after the position became available this year. The other manager was responsible for the Hockey World Cup in Spain and Netherlands and the series against Wales.
As has been the case with her previous national team duties, as the manager, her job entails managing logistics for the team around accommodation, transport, meeting times, kit and general communication. She is also responsible for ensuring that tournament rules are adhered to during competition and that all of the general administration required for the competition is completed correctly. “General player and staff welfare also form part of my role,” said Abrahamse.
Having taught at The Settlers High School in Bellville for 14 years prior to joining UWC in 2020, Abrahamse has always been involved in schools’ hockey and started management of provincial teams in 2000, from Under-14 to the seniors. In 2019 she was asked to be involved with the national Under-21 ladies and was also in charge of the national team at the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom in April.
She said her highlights of being at the Commonwealth Games include attending the opening ceremony, meeting some great South African athletes, “and, of course, getting to play against top class opposition in a fantastic facility. The games are called ‘the friendly games’ and we have certainly been very warmly welcomed in Birmingham.”
