Those aspiring to become achievers in the sports field should carry with them a passion for excellence and the will to learn at every opportunity.
They should also appreciate the virtues of patience and perseverance and believe that challenges are opportunities to grow.
They should follow Praven Jeram, one of the most brilliant soccer players of our times, and certainly one of the best in the Indian community.
From beginners’ groups to the National team, he has had a career that witnessed not only trials and tribulations but also awards and accolades.
Born in Navsari (Gujarat) in India, Jeram arrived in New Zealand during his formative years. With no conversational knowledge in English, he settled down with his family in Huntly, Waikato.
His school years were eventful as he began playing soccer after watching a number of friends play the game.
English and Soccer
“Learning a new language (English), a new game and understanding a new culture were all exciting and exacting. Since we lived in proximity to the school, there was plenty of time and opportunity to learn not only soccer but also cricket,” he said.
With his mind set on becoming a professional player, Jeram commenced playing for the school team when he was ten years old.
His interest in soccer and cricket continued as he entered the Huntly High School.
“My ability to play the two games well improved season after season and it was a proud moment when I was selected to represent the Waikato soccer and cricket teams under the specific age groups,” he said.
Jeram joined the Huntly Senior Soccer team when he was 15 years old.
The challenge
“It was a huge learning curve for me. It was also physically challenging. Most of the men with who I played were tough and I was extremely slim,” he said.
His academic career also progressed as a science student.
He was keen to launch his professional career, seeking a job in engineering and electrical industries. After a brief stint as an assistant at a fruit shop owned by the friends of his family, he applied for an apprenticeship in electronics, to further his career in an industry for which he had passion.
At 18, he became a regular player of the Huntly Senior team, pitched against the Top Eastern Suburbs team of Auckland.
It was over a weekend that his fortune changed.
“The Auckland Club offered me and my best friend (who was the best player at our club a chance to play semi-professional football in Auckland. I readily accepted the offer and was lucky to obtain a transfer to the Auckland branch of the company, which had employed me. We thought of trying it out for two years and return to Huntly if we were not successful,” Jeram said.
As a goalkeeper for the second team, it was hard to snatch game time but Jeram knew that patience was a virtue. An opportunity arose during the pre-season games, when the goalkeeper of the first team was injured.
“Playing for the first team was the most enjoyable experience I ever had in soccer. Impressed with my performance, my manager retained me in the team, even after the other player returned. My friend returned to Huntly but I continued to play for the team in Auckland.”
As a member of the best-rated teams, Jeram had opportunities to play for Auckland and New Zealand Under 21 teams and it was not too long before he was selected to play for the Full New Zealand Senior side.
He played for the Eastern Suburbs in the National League and the New Zealand Team over eight seasons.
Awards and accolades
Jeram won the ‘Eastern Suburbs Player of the Year’ and ‘Sportsman of the Year’ awards on several occasions, apart from winning the ‘Auckland Sportsman Award,’ ‘New Zealand Player of the Year’ Award and the ‘Best and Fairest Award.’
As a qualified electronics technician, Jeram has had opportunities to coach soccer to aspirants including juniors and women involved in the industry.
Towards the end of his playing career, he played for Howick and Papatoetoe teams for a while and returned to the Easter Suburbs team to play and coach for about five years. He is now retired from playing soccer but continues to coach junior goalkeepers.
Jeram is married to Jude and the couple have a son (Jayesh) and a daughter (Hansa), who are all sports lovers.
As well as Cricket, his passion in sports extends to windsurfing and golf.
Jeram represented All Whites as a goal keeper from 1971-1977.
