The Sunday Mail
OCCUPATIONAL therapy is her profession, hockey is her love.
Lylie Wilde says she is ‘lucky’ to wake up every day to do what she loves.
Before she puts on her hockey gear in the late hours of the day, she helps save lives first, something she says has changed her life too.
“I work as an occupational therapist so I train after work; usually for one and a half hours three times a week with other players and then I do individual work outs for 15-30 minutes a day at home,” she said.
Those hours have paid off as the 26-year-old Ram Ewes defender has been selected into the International All-Star team set to take on South Africa’s ladies indoor team in a four-match series from December 14-19 at the University of Cape Town.
“I am so excited about my selection into the international All-Stars team,” she said.
“I play hockey because I love it, I get excited just talking about it.
“I learn everything I can from every person I meet and every situation I am in. l hope that through this experience I can learn even more, which I can then bring back to Zimbabwean hockey. Wilde lights up when she talks about her occupation.
“It is absolutely amazing, it is so rewarding being an occupational therapist. I have learnt new meanings to words like compassion, kindness, empathy, patience and fun. My life will never be the same, I am so blessed.
“I am so lucky to wake up every day to the things I love.”
Before she flies out to be with her fellow All Stars, Wilde will be with her compatriots in the Africa Hockey Series from December 7-9 in Bulawayo.
“I’m going to play in that series before I go to Cape Town for the PSI (Pro Series Indoor),” she said.
“I fly to Cape Town on the 12th of December, I think they all arrive on the 13th,” she said.
Wilde is also into equestrian. She isn’t too surprised by her affection for sports.
“I was born into a very sporty family, both my parents were excellent in sport. However, I only started playing hockey when I was in Grade Two.
“Athletics was always my best sport at school but I had amazing hockey coaches through my high school career at St Mary’s Waverly in Johannesburg, they developed my hockey.”
