20 quickfire questions with ... Shaun Pollock

TODAY: Former Proteas star all-rounder ... SHAUN POLLOCK

1. Nickname/s: Polly

2. Greatest sporting moment that you can recall (in general): 1995 Rugby World Cup final

3. Childhood sporting hero: Athletics: Carl Lewis and Bruce Fordyce (my dad's company sponsored him); Rugby: Naas Botha and Danie Gerber; Tennis: Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Andre Agassi; Golf: Greg Norman and Fred Couples (I have also always supported Ernie Els and Retief Goosen); Football: Bryan Robson, Prof Ngubane (met him at Bushbucks training), Gary Bailey (in goal for Manchester United the first time I watched the FA Cup); Cricket: So many, but Malcolm Marshall stands out (mentor); Hockey: Trevor Madsen (met him at a coaching course AND he played cricket for Natal)

4. Greatest sporting moment personally: Debut for Proteas (years of dreaming finally realised)

5. Game or sporting event that you could watch on repeat: The Masters and Wimbledon

6. Sea or river: Valley of the Waves

7. Chocolate or vanilla: Caramel (but between these two, vanilla)

8. Favourite holiday destination: Home ... or the Drakensberg

9. Banana or pineapple on a pizza: Both ... Caribbean it’s called right?

10. What would your last meal be: Butternut soup

11. Favourite superhero and why: My wife Tricia - she is next level!

12. 3 things you would want with you on a desert island: Bible, cricket floppy, family

13. Current series addiction: ESPN 30/30

14. Biggest influence on your career: My father - he was the convenor of selectors who picked me to play for the Proteas

15. Best piece of advice you have ever received: Have God's confidence. He gives you abilities and believes in you so that is all you need to back yourself

16. Hobby: Golf

17. How does Sport for good relate to you: Sport has an amazing ability to connect people of all works of life, it teaches you valuable life lessons, promotes a good lifestyle and is a ‘space' where I have had so much fun and created wonderful memories throughout my life. So to somehow get as many people to experience it as possible is a no brainer!

18. Laureus programme that you have interacted with, and what they do: LIV (a Christian Orphan organisation) is close to my heart, when we look at the impact parents have on peoples lives my heart goes out to the kids there

19. What are you and/or your family doing over this time to ensure you keep mentally and physically healthy? Reading, puzzles, games, SuperSport Catch up 

Who is Laureus?

Laureus is a global movement that celebrates the power of sport to bring people together as a force for good. The first Patron of Laureus was Nelson Mandela. At the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards in 2000, President Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”

This has become the philosophy of Laureus, the driving belief behind all they do.

Laureus combines Laureus Sport for Good, the Laureus World Sports Academy and Ambassadors Programme and the Laureus World Sports Awards to form a unique organisation that uses the inspirational power of sport as a force for good.

Laureus Sport for Good South Africa

The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation Trust South Africa is a local chapter of the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation. Launched in 2002, SA was the first regional office to be established by Laureus International.

What is the Laureus Sport For Good vision? “Using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Proving that sport can change the world”.  The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa supports over 30 projects nationwide. Every programme supported addresses at least one of the following six social issues, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: 

• Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change • Education: Increased access to and completion of education

• Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety

• Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment

• Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences

• Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peace-building and creating safe spaces

For more information: https://www.laureus.co.za/