By Hugo Vogel and Monty Pierce Jones, Year 11
This is a new series in the sports section in which we will interview students who play sport competitively at a very high level. Our first interview is with Zacharie Georges the captain of the Novices Élites at Servette Hockey Club. He is also a student in Year 11 at LGB. We would like to thank him for the time he took to talk to us considering his very busy schedule.
How often do you train?
Every day, sometimes even twice a day.
Be honest, how far do you think you’ll go in the sport?
Honestly I don’t know, it depends on so many things. What I know for sure is that I want to go as far as possible.
How did you get into it?
I started when I was six or seven years old. I had just moved to Switzerland and my dad and I went to see a GSHC game. I immediately fell in love with the sport and I made sure my dad knew it. Next thing I knew, I was on the ice with all the other kids enjoying every part of it.
What is the main difficulty with balancing sports and school?
Definitely time; luckily for me, I don’t have any trouble understanding the work that we do in class. However some of the homework we get is very time consuming and that’s where I struggle.
Are your teachers helpful and understanding when it comes to you missing class and work?
Yes enormously. In fact, one of the main reasons I came to LGB was that the “system” is much more flexible than in public school.
Does hockey affect your grades?
I want to say it doesn’t because my grades are pretty good but deep down I think it does reduce the work and time I put in school.
How hard is it to balance sports, school and a social life?
It is pretty hard. But I think a big part of being a top level athlete is being willing to sacrifice some of that, especially social life, in order to keep progressing.
What do you like the most about hockey?
Everything; the speed, the precision, the violence.. absolutely everything.
Do you think the school should start a “Sport Étude” section like in some public schools?
I do think a Sport Étude section would be beneficial, however I don’t think emulating the public school system would. Having been there, I can tell you that the situation in which I am now with private school is way better than the one I was in with public school. Despite the lack of a so called “Sport Étude” system.
