Leila Holtzhausen

My Hockey Background

My name is Leila Holtzhausen, I am 18 years old and from Somerset West, South Africa. I started playing hockey when I was six years old, and the sport has been a big part of my life ever since.

Throughout primary and high school, I have consistently played for my school’s A teams. At the age of 12, I also started playing club hockey for Somerset West Hockey Club alongside my school hockey.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to compete in several high-level tournaments. In Grade 9, I was named both Top Goal Scorer and MVP at a school tournament in Knysna. At 16, I was one of only three girls in my grade selected for our U18A first team. During my first year with the team, we competed at one of South Africa’s biggest girls' hockey tournaments in Johannesburg and won the Belgotex tournament in Cape Town.

Last year, I also competed in the Cape Town Premier League (CPL), where my team won the tournament. This year is my third and final season with my school’s first team, and I was honored to be selected as team captain. I was also selected to represent the Boland region at the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT), playing for the U18 Boland B team and finishing third overall.

As a player, two of my biggest strengths are my speed and vision. My speed allows me to create opportunities by attacking space and making runs across the field or along the baseline. I also have a good ability to see passes and opportunities that others may not expect. As a captain and teammate, I try to bring energy to the team, motivate the players around me, and encourage them when things get difficult.

Why I Want to Play College Field Hockey

Hockey has always been my passion. Even when it gets challenging, being on the hockey field is where I feel happiest. The opportunity to continue playing the sport I love while studying in the United States really excites me.

I look forward to experiencing a new culture, meeting new people, becoming part of a new team, and learning from different coaching styles. I believe playing college field hockey will help me develop both as a player and as a person, while also allowing me to bring my own hockey background and experiences from South Africa to my team.

Although hockey is my biggest passion, I am also a dedicated and committed student. I understand the importance of balancing academics and athletics, and I am prepared to work hard in both areas.

As a player, my goal is to continue improving every day and reach my full potential. I want to contribute to my team's success, create and score goals, and become the best player and teammate I can be.

Most importantly, I am looking for a university and hockey program where I can truly feel at home. I would love to be part of a team that feels like a family—an environment where I can be myself, build strong relationships, challenge myself, and step outside of my comfort zone.