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| Photo: Judy Teasdale |
TIAR: For those who aren't aware, tell us a little bit about your background, how you came to the U.S., where you lived in the U.S., and what youth teams you played for?
Hanco Germishuys: Well,I was born and raised in South Africa where I started playing at my middle school called Newton. After middle school I went to a boarding school called Landboudal where I was captain for the u/14 team. I came to America because my dad moved to America in 2004, he started his own business, a roofing business. I live in Omaha, Nebraska and have been there ever since I came to America.
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Playing rugby in Nebraska: I played for my club team called West Omaha. I got selected to play for Nebraska All Star Team. My team and I played in Denver, where I was selected for the the High School All Americans (HSAA). I played for HSAA for four years, I went with them to Las Vegas 7s twice, England at Rosslyn Park 7s and twice for the u/17s at the Wellington Tournament which was 15s, also in Argentina twice. I played for the u/20s in Hong Kong for the Junior World Rugby Trophy and I was chosen to play on the Youth Olympic Rugby 7s Team to play in the Nanjing Youth Olympics. I was also Captain of the team.
TIAR: Can you describe the experience of playing in the JWRT with the Junior All-Americans?
HG: Playing in the Junior World Rugby Trophy was amazing. It was the best tour I have ever been invited to. One of the reasons why it was a great experience was that everyone on the team was mature and we all knew what was expected of us. We had a lot of fun when we had the chance to and when it was time to get serious it was training time we all had our game faces on.
TIAR: You are in the Academy set-up at Gloucester. How did that opportunity come about?
HG: One of my coaches, Dave Synnot, got the a try out with the team for me in 2013 where I came to Gloucester for a week in August where they tested me watched how I play and also helped them play three games. I then got invited back so they can see my progress. They then asked if I could come back once I was done with high school and play for them.
TIAR: How long will you be in Gloucester and what are your goals?
HG: I will be at Gloucester for about four months. My goals while I am here is to get better and get some more experience playing rugby. I am also hoping to get a contract.
TIAR: How would you describe your playing style?
HG: Just by trying to be where ever the ball will be and being there for support on attack. I also like to be a hard runner. On defense I like to steel the ball away from the other team in rucks and be a threat to them and be in their way. I always try to be one step ahead of the opposing team.
TIAR: Leaving your family must have been difficulty. What motivated you to make the move to Gloucester?
HG: It was very difficult leaving my family behind I didn't want to leave them at first, but, I thought about it and rugby is what I want to do for a career and I can only do that by getting myself out there. My motivation was my mom (Elsabe) she was always there for me when I was playing games back home and my dad (Jaco) when I was playing in America. My sisters Laurissa and Melanie and my girlfriend, Alexis, also played a big part in it by motivating me to go do my running and my weight training. My twin sister also plays rugby at Wayne State College in Nebraska. She plays the position 7, same as me. We are working on making her a Woman's Eagle, haha.