A quarter century of coaching and still going strong

BEVERLY van Zyl (59) has been the head coach of the Alberton Hockey club’s juniors for 25 years.

Her hockey career started in 1983. A friend asked her if she wanted to join a local hockey team in Germiston, and being naturally sporty, she agreed.

She played for Germiston for two years, moving to Alberton and started playing for Alberton’s first team. Years later she was still playing, at this time for the second team, when Beverly came to the realisation that perhaps it was time to hang up her hockey boots.

“I was playing with nieces of mine when one of them called out to me ‘Aunty Bev, pass the ball’,” said Beverly. “That’s when I thought I might be getting too old to play.”

That’s when an opportunity, as she calls it, to give back to the sport she loves came up. Beverly started coaching the junior team in 1993. Twenty-five years later she is still going strong and being a key influencer to young players in Alberton. Beverly has a passion for younger children.

“They absorb everything you tell them.” Over the years she’s had to learn a lot of patience to work with the children.

“It’s a patience that rewards though,” said Beverly speaking about watching them grow and develop.

According to her, the best way to work with the younger children is to make it fun for them and give them the opportunity to play and grow as they want to.

In 2010 Beverly was diagnosed with melanoma. Though she made a full recovery, her toe had to be amputated.

“My thoughts at the time were just that I would never be able to see my hockey children again.” Proving her thoughts wrong, Beverly was back to coaching as soon as she recovered.

Beverly believes the most important thing is to encourage young players, no matter what. Even if the player isn’t the best, the encouragement does wonders for their confidence both on and off the field.

“It’s been a wonderful journey of mine,” said Beverly about her coaching career. “Even if I touched the life of one child it is enough.”

Beverly hopes to grow hockey in Alberton in the future, especially when it comes to boys. She hopes to create a culture where boy’s hockey is more supported and get strong male players to assist her and be mentors to the young players.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za

Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.

Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup