The launch of the Investec Hockey Academy, earlier this year, promises to welcome a new era in women’s hockey in South Africa.
Founded on the phenomenal success of the Investec International Rugby Academy which, to date, has made a valuable contribution to the game, the Investec Hockey Academy aims to offer a comprehensive platform, through professional support in the development of young players.
The next set of courses will take place on August 11 and 12, at St Mary’s School, in Waverley, Johannesburg.
The academy will bring together greats from the hockey arena, together with young players from schools all over South Africa, to coach and share knowledge of their experience in the professional field.
Two Germiston schools, St Catherine’s School and Assumption Convent School, has girls who will be attending the courses.
General manager of Investec Hockey Academy and current SA women’s hockey player Shelley Russell will be joined by an impressive line-up of coaches and players, including a number of former World Cup, Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and All Africa Games players.
Participants can look forward to working closely with World Cup player Tsoanelo Pholo (indoor and field hockey), and international player Miguel de Grasa (84 caps for South Africa), just to mention a few.
“We try to give young, aspiring hockey stars a glimpse of what is required to fine-tune their skills and abilities,” said Russell.
“The Investec Hockey Academy is a platform where passionate hockey players can learn and improve their skills by being exposed to top-level coaching personnel.
“We hope to create an environment where young players can grow their games.”
The academy aims to provide the best coaching available, with the focus being young women.
“We hope to identify and nurture talent from a young age and to build a platform on which aspirations can take root and grow,” explained Russell.
“If we can do this in an environment in which girls are motivated and enjoy their hockey, so much the better.
“A larger pool of talented, motivated hockey players can only benefit our national infrastructure.”
The courses aim to address the physical and mental skills a hockey player needs in order to shape their skills and abilities.
“The courses we offer work on creating a dynamic, well-rounded athlete,” Russell said.
”Very important aspects, such as mental toughness, functional ability, vision training, fitness, nutrition, recovery techniques, video analysis and athlete education in general are addressed at the academy.
“These aspects are vital in one’s sporting development.”
The academy offers player courses for students aged from 10.
The August academy will offer an intermediate course (12 to 15 years), advanced course (16 to 18 years) and a goal-keepers’ course (10 to 18 years).
“Although we hope to identify and nurture future hockey stars through the programme, we are by no means an elitist programme, and any female player with a desire to improve their hockey expertise is welcome to apply for attendance,” added Russell.
“I really feel that South African players have to work at twice the intensity of other nations in order to compete in a professional environment.
”In the absence of a full-time professional programme, our international sportsmen have to make use of every opportunity presented in order to be competitive.”
To book, contact Bernadine Miller on 031 940-5565, or visit www.investechockeyacademy.com.
