A Lavender Hill pool player hopes to head to China, where she could win millions of rands, and use the money to transform her impoverished, and crime-riddled community.
Shaiyene Fritz has been playing pool since the age of 9. She recently struck gold, by winning in the women’s catergory of the Blackball World Championships, held in Morocco in November.
The 21-year-old education student at Stellenbosch university now has her sights set on another championship next month.
We are in Lavender Hill, to meet with pool champion, Shaiyene Fritz. The 21-year-old education student at Stellenbosch University wants to head to China next month for the Hey Ball Grand Finals, where she could stand the chance to win R12,5 million. #smile904fmnews pic.twitter.com/TyrIKIWbs8
— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) February 10, 2023
Upon entering Fritz’s humble home in St Ruth Road, you’re immediately greeted by her purring kitten, Tara-tjie, along with her dozens of trophies and gold medals.
This young pool player’s dream is to participate in the Heyball Grand Finals, which is set to be held in Qinhaungdao, China next month. It’s an international competition, where she could win R12 500 000.
“If I win, I walk away with R12,5 million, and what I plan to do with that money is to get my mom out of Lavender Hill and start my own organisation where I help kids from impoverished communities get to university. Thirdly I would like to open a pool academy for the kids, ” she says.
However, she’s still a long way from reaching her target of R35 000. Fritz is now calling on the public to help her by donating to her BackaBuddy fund.
In addition, she sells boerewors rolls and raffle tickets, in a bid to get more funds. The money will go towards covering her tournament fees, accomodation, flights, clothing, visas and food.
“I’ve seen how people just started appearing and being good to me, and I know that was just God and I believe that he can make it happen again for me, this time. Obviously I am not one of those people who waits on handouts, so I will be working just as hard as I did last year with my fundraising,” says Fritz.
Fritz who lives with her disabled mother Margaret and two brothers, Charlton and Pierce. She’s has only managed to raise a meagre R 6 723 so far.
Furthermore, she works as a tutor and part-time photographer, and is the only breadwinner at home.
Considering her challenges, this only motivates the sports star to get to China so that she can bag the multi-million rand grand prize, and change her living conditions.
“I want to give back and make Lavender Hill proud. “
Anyone who is able to assist can visit her BackaBuddy, or call Shaiyene at 063 769 3796.
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