Player Profile: Luke Tait (Grey High School)
Faith, hard work, and discipline have been at the forefront of Luke Tait’s hockey career at Grey High School.
Tait is the first-team hockey captain at the Gqeberha school and embodies great leadership on and off the turf. He carries himself well and and gives his all between the four lines.
He’s led his side through mostly ups and some downs this season, but, on the final weekend of May, he celebrated a personal milestone when he played his 100th match for the 1st XI against St Andrew’s College.
Tait was the first player to achieve the feat in almost 22 years. Before him, Mpumelelo Slwana reached triple figures in 2003.
It was a momentous occasion for the captain, his teammates, and his family when he received a warm guard of honour at the Rectory AstroTurf before leading his team to a hard-fought 1-0 win against their Makhanda rivals.
Reflecting on the milestone, he told SuperSport Schools Plus:”“It’s an honour and privilege to have represented the first team at Grey for four years.
“Every Grey boy wants to represent their school at a first-team level, and since I’ve done it for a long time, I feel grateful and blessed.”
Tait, who attended Grey Junior in his primary school days, made his first team debut in grade nine against Queen’s College on his school’s Reunion Day. He recalled the moment he heard the news: “When I was told I was benching for the first team against Queen’s, I was nervous, to be honest with you.
“I used to watch the senior players play at a high tempo, and I didn’t think I deserved to be there. Nevertheless, I stuck in and learnt a lot from all the senior guys. I came off the bench, played as well as I could, and I haven’t stopped since then.”
During his tenure representing the Azzurri, Tait has been exposed to several leadership styles that have influenced his style of captaincy.
He’s played under three captains, namely Casey Keevy, Matthew Kingston, and the 2024 skipper, Kian Cambier.
“Each one of them was different and had their style of captaincy, and I’ve tried to implement those with my style, of course.
“Casey Keevy led with his performance on the pitch. His inspirational team talks were great, and he always lifted everyone and made us feel we were more important than him.
“Matthew Kingston was different. He was the type of captain you’re afraid of. He gave everything on the field, his blood and sweat, and you wanted to follow him just because of how much he cared about the team.
“And then, Kian Cambier was an exceptional player. He was almost like a full player, on and off the pitch. I could ask him anything, and he would advise me. He was inspirational.”
While the leaders who guided him were influential, Tait was also heavily influenced by his first team coaches, Mazan Dos Santos (former) and Andrew Beynon (current).
His family has also been there through thick and thin, with his father providing much-needed guidance on and off the turf.
“My dad always tries to find solutions to problems I face, and how to resolve key issues, whether it be my playing style, the way I speak to players, or my body language.
“I try to take it all in and use his advice. But my whole family, as well, has been very supportive and wants me to succeed, whether it be on the AstroTurf or in my academics.”
As previously mentioned, Tait speaks openly about his faith and how it has positively impacted his life. He said it’s something he passes on to his teammates.
“I’ve tried to instil faith in Grey’s hockey. It had been fading for the last few years.
“I started by praying for the team and speaking more openly about my faith and love of the Lord because it always transitions back to my hockey.
“I couldn’t have done it without my matric group, who are devoted to the Lord. I think, for us, we understand that we only play the game because the Lord has given us this talent, and he wants us to succeed. We’ll continue spreading the gospel.”
The skipper and 10 of his teammates will represent the Eastern Province u18A side at the SASHOC National Week, set to be hosted at Maritzburg College.
The tournament runs from 29 June to 5 July.
