Being 38 years old is no reason to forsake on once dreams; next week Natasha Webber and Nicky Wenhold are going to try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in beach volleyball. 

The two Tuks players are part of the South African team that will be in action during Africa's Sub Zonal Qualification Tournament in Maputo from 10-15 January.

It is not the first time that Webber and Wenhold have their sights set on the Games. They also tried to do so in 2012. Unfortunately for them, the team from Mauritius came out tops at the time.

Webber who studied Sports Science considers being selected for South Africa at 38 as an honour. 

"It is special to think that we are still good enough to play for South Africa. In a way, however, it is also slightly disconcerting. Both of us are genuinely passionate about volleyball. Therefore, we would love to see some grassroots development players starting to step up to play for South Africa. The reality is that funding will always be an issue for players in smaller countries. 

Webber is quite realistic to what awaits them in Maputo. 

"We shall have to be at our absolute best to have any chance of qualifying. This I can guarantee we won't lack motivation. It is every athlete's dream to represent their country at the Olympic Games, no matter what your age is. 

"Nicky and I promised ourselves that we are going to try and make the most of this opportunity. If by hook or crook we do manage to qualify for the Olympics it will be amazing."

Webber said that she and Wenhold only recently started to play together again. They, however, immediately gelled as a team. 

"Being of the same age certainly helped as is having the same goals. We also have some unique chemistry when we take to the court. It is maybe due to us complimenting each other's play," explains the Tuks player. 

"I may be the slightly better player on defence being able to set up the ball for Nicky to try and score points. She is the more aggressive player who likes nothing more than to attack the ball." 

The Tuks player used to excel in various sports before deciding to specialize in volleyball. The clincher possible was that it was the one sport nearly everyone in her family played. For a long time, her dad used to coach her.

"I think it can be said that volleyball runs in our family's blood," Webber joked. 

The other South African women's beach volleyball combination is Randy Williams and Anneeta Frederiksen (Western Cape).

The men's teams are Leo Williams who is based in the Western Cape as well as the Czech Republic) and Shaien Govender who plays in  KZN as well as Australia; Jerome Frederick (Western Cape) and Jonas Mothlobi (KZN). Loet Groenewald is the coach.