E03/S20 - Phumelala Hlophe (née Mbande) & Marlise van Tonder (South Africa); Goalmouth Gossip

The Half Court Press Podcast is back! Goalmouth Gossip is our latest series, where we focus on the first player on any hockey team sheet. Tao MacLeod talks to a variety of goalkeepers from around the world about training, development and personal backgrounds. In episode three we hear from the South African ladies goalkeepers Phumelala Hlophe (née Mbande) and Marlise van Tonder. Hailing from Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, Phumelala has been the first choice goalie for her country for several years playing in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as the Tokyo 2020/1 Olympic Games, captaining the team in the latter two tournaments. Van Tonder, coming from capital city Pretoria, has travelled with her friend and team mate around the world as one of the other keepers in the programme, being a member of the squad in the 2018 World Cup. Marlise has also played in American collegiate system, whilst studying in the USA. In this conversation we chat about what makes a good goalie, their preference for protective kit and why the goalkeeper is the most important player on the pitch. The Half Court Press Podcast is available on… iTunes Spotify Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts Breaker Overcast Anchor Pocket Casts RadioPublic