Marsha Marescia’s daily programme reads like Superwoman’s to-do-list. Excelling in a demanding day job while captaining your country’s national women’s hockey team certainly requires a unique strength of character.

“Losing motivates you to work harder so you never feel that devastation again.”

Marsha Marescia still remembers picking up her first hockey stick at the age of six. “I come from quite a sporty family. My mum was a very good hockey payer and my brother played hockey really well. But growing up I had no idea of the impact this game would have on my life.”

Marsha has come a long way.

Since being selected for the national team at the young age of 18 she has been a very busy girl, achieving an impressive 179 international caps and representing South Africa at two Olympic Games, two World Cups and two Commonwealth Games. Holding down a demanding day job at the as well means that Marsha is no stranger to early mornings, little sleep and going on when others would have called it a day.

“The nice thing about playing a team sport is that my team mates always support me if I’ve had a bad game individually. But I still hate losing…”

I am Marsha Marescia captain of the South African women’s hockey team.