“You just cannot describe it,” says Charmaine Baard, goal shooter of the Maties. Baard’s “kleinsus” is also a member of the Maties squad.
“The age difference between us is three years. It is the first time that we are playing together.”
Charmaine (22) and Janneke (19) aren’t only team mates, but they also play the same position. Janneke, a first year BComm Accounting student, is also a goal shooter like her sister. Charmaine wrote matric at Brackenfell High School in 2013 and Janneke was a member of the class of 2016.
“It is absolutely amazing to play with her. You will get angry more easily with your sister than with a team mate, but when a move works out on court, the feeling is more rewarding.”
Janneke hasn’t had that much game time yet, because Charmaine is on fire in the goal shooter position, with Nichole Taljaard on goal attack.
The Baard sisters were the shooting combination for a couple of quarters when Maties played against the University of Johannesburg earlier this month in Stellenbosch. Janneke played goal shooter and Charmaine goal attack.
“Because we play together in the shooting circle, our communication is excellent,” says Charmaine.
The fourth year BEd Intermediate and Senior Phase student says the competition between the Baard sisters is “healthy”.
“I am so proud of her. She is so talented. She is knocking on the door. She is hungry, she wants to play. We learn a lot from each other,” says Charmaine.
She says the sisters differ a lot.
“I am the outgoing one and she is the quiet one.”
Janneke are certain to get playing time when Maties take on the Madibaz on Monday in their last group match. The first centre pass is at 19:00 in Stellenbosch.
*Charmaine is a member of South Africa’s team that will take part in the Fast5 World Series late in October in Melbourne, Australia.
