SA Schools hockey midfield dynamo and KZN U19 cricketer Jared Campbell has a hectic couple of international sporting weeks ahead. The SA vs Australia U17 Schoolboys hockey series July 9-11 and then the Africa Youth Games. Jared, the electric-heeled cover fielder and 10-metre burst Astro champion, prolific opening bat, useful off-spinner and dedicated Maritzburg College deputy head prefect, prefers to do his talking by deed rather than word but, as always, he met the challenge and then some.

HUNTER GATHERER: Jared Jazza Campbell on the Red Army’s Fortress Pape’s Astro at Maritzburg College.
(Matt Marshall Photography Feature Foto)

So here’s Jared’s response to the interview challenge:

1) I feel that I perform best under pressure. Yes this year has been a very demanding year in terms of responsibilities, but instead I see it as an opportunity to thrive. On a cricketing front, the responsibility has accounted for the successful patch I had opening the batting for the 1^st XI. As a senior player, the onus is on me to produce the goods.

2) I found it hard to balance my time in the first few weeks of the school year, but I’ve developed a routine which is working for me. I do work late on some nights and I do return home exhausted but that’s what it’s all about. You reap what you sow. I find myself prioritising and organising my calendar months before an event to ensure I’m always on the ball. Leisure time I make time for because you always need an outlet from a hard day’s training.

3) I play mainly as a link, preferably on the right. I also play striker occasionally. I enjoy playing link because you get to control the game; you determine the pace of the game. I enjoy creating opportunities for my team-mates and if I find myself in the D [strike zone], I can get the odd goal or two. I believe my hockey game is all about speed, and with me operating on the flanks of the field, it allows the team to counter with pace and flair.

4) I’ve been fortunate to represent my province from U12 all the way to U18 in both Hockey and Cricket. The two teams I am the most grateful for making is the SA U18 hockey team [2017 & 2018 says Jono] and the KZN U19 cricket side.

5) My journey in the Red Army [Maritzburg College first hockey team] began in 2016, so I’ve been playing for 3 years. I’m currently on 60 caps and I still remember my debut vividly. In my first year, I had the ability to play 1^st XI but not the belief. I found myself playing off the bench, but in hindsight I learnt a lot about myself and the game in that year. Now I feel more assured on the ball, and most importantly I play with more belief.

6) My first XI cricket career also began in 2016, but my journey was a lot more like a rollercoaster. I was dropped many times from the 1^st XI… I still enjoyed my cricket but essentially lost my passion for it. I began not worrying about results and selections, and the reward was a better performance. I’m on 49 caps and I feel that I’m enjoying my cricket a lot more because I don’t put as much pressure on myself.

 

 

7) My most memorable Red Army hockey game would be our 3^rd match at Nomads 2016, against Rondebosch in Cape Town. The setting was iconic, a hockey match under lights with Table Mountain in the background and a setting sun. We were being dominated and our backs were against the wall. Coach [Devon] van der Merwe threw me on as a striker and in the last 5 minutes I scored the winning goal. It was a big moment for the team and I as Rondebosch were considered the top team at the time.

 

 

8) For cricket, it would have to be beating St Stithians on Goldstones last year at the 2017 Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week. Saints were regarded as the best side in the country and our performance on Goldstones was on par with some of the best cricket Goldstones has ever seen. It was a great game to be a part of. We bowled Saints out for 149 on an overcast morning and in reply we won by 6 wickets. The convincing manner in which we won highlights the brand of cricket we were playing last year.

9) At last week’s Iwyze [Old Mutual] U18 Hockey Nationals (June 24-29 on Pape’s Astro, Maritzburg College and AB Jackson Greenfields Astro], my most memorable game was without a doubt our [June 28] semi-final victory over rivals Western Province [the defending champions, who beat KZN Inland in the 2017 final at Kearsney College, KZN Inland winning the 2016 title]. We dominated proceedings from beginning to end, and I feel we put on an entertaining show for the supporters. We executed the game plan perfectly. It was our day and everything worked out as planned. We ran out eventual winners 3-1.

 

* On the 1-0 loss to KZN Coastal A in last Friday’s final, Jazza says: I felt the final was a tough pill for us to swallow. We played well and if anything we deserved a goal. That is how sport works sometimes. The atmosphere was unbelievable, I’ve never seen Pape’s Astro so full [Maritzburg College senior deputy headmaster Keith Guise-Brown said exactly that too]. Regardless, Coastals won the game and credit to them they also played well. 

10) I hope to add my strengths to the SA U18 team because the series against Australia U17 Schoolboys is a showcase event for hockey in our schools. [June 9, 10 and 11 at UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus Greenfields Astro – see poster for details].

 

 

I hope to create as many chances as I can for the talented strikers we have at our disposal and be influential at PC [penalty corner] time. For the SA U18 Hockey Fives team [Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games Africa Qualifier in Algiers, Algeria this month] I hope to contribute to the team with my physicality and pace.

11) I started playing hockey when I was 5 years old. I’ve been fortunate to have been coached by really good coaches. Mr [Brandon] Swart was my U14A coach and many a Maritzburg College hockey player will tell you a similar story of how he develops your basics. I learnt the most in U14 and Mr Swart had a lot to do with it. Mr [Devon] van der Merwe taught me how to play hockey at a higher level, he essentially taught me how to play with a hockey brain. He also taught me life skills, some of which I use today.

 

 

12) I started playing cricket also in 2005. The two coaches that have stood out for me would be Mr Mbasa Gqadushe and Mr [Doug] Watson. Mbasa really pushed me and made me believe in myself. We used to train almost every single day in the December holidays. Mr Watson, albeit for a short time, had the biggest impact on my cricket. He is a straightforward man with strong values and these values were instilled into my game. I enjoyed his coaching methods and generally his personality on and off the field.

13) Yes, I believe the success of any sportsman is not an individual effort but rather a team effort. I’ve been blessed to have people around me who are interested in my life and also care a lot about me. My Mom and Dad give a lot of their time and effort towards me and they sacrifice so I can do well. My brother Landon trained me to become a better hockey player and we still train to this day.

 

 

I would like to thank them for their continued support. Mr Garth Oliver from EAP is an unsung hero, he tends to all my aches and pains from hockey. Mr Nic Gonsalves from Dita hockey, I thank all you guys for your support. Lastly, the friends that help through the high and lows, I would like to mention [Maritzburg College Red Army and KZN Inland team-mate] Adrian Greaves, who has been a good friend of mine on and off the field. Thanks for your support, Adrian.

“And thank you for this opportunity Mr Cook!

“KZN10.com is great and wish you everything of the best with it.”

KZN10.com says: Jazza, I have watched you play since primary school days and it has always been a pleasure to see a young sportsman who respects and values the correct manner in which these two great sports must be played. Go well, Jarry, you are a credit to Maritzburg College and it’s wonderful to watch your growing self-belief being added to your modest nature. Coupled together, they form a winning Jared Campbell combination.

And now for the fun part!

A 20-second Jazza Campbell sprint (he finished this part with customary Astro speed)

20 SECONDS WITH JARED CAMPBELL

Favourite food: Sushi

Actor: Miles Teller

Actress: Mila Kunis

TV Show: Chicago Med

Holiday Destination: Amsterdam

Board Game: 30 seconds

Car: Audi R8

Nickname: Jarry or Jazza

Jazza in One: Motivated

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with cheese

3 Desert Island Must-Haves: JBL speaker, my phone, a couple of mates

4 Things Jarry can’t live without: WiFi, hockey, family and God

Favourite Jazza quote: “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do” (Anonymous)

Sports event: The Olympic Games

Down time – watching TV and chilling with friends and family

Screensaver – Gigi Hadid