Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club calls on young players

Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club in Midrand invites children from surrounding, including disadvantaged areas to join the sport.

Lindeka Moeng, a committee member at the club, said most children, especially in disadvantaged areas, are not aware of the sport which is played underwater in a swimming pool. “We thought it would be a great idea to have more children join and participate in the sport because some of them don’t even know how to swim. This would be a great opportunity for them to also learn.”

The club was established by a small group of interested families in 2012 using the recently built Christ Church School swimming pool as its base.

“Our primary goal as a club is to enrich children’s lives through the sport, to have fun, enjoy it in a healthy and loving Christ-centered environment. We want to develop players across all the junior age groups to be eligible to play for their club, province and country,” said Moeng.

She added that they do this by creating an environment where children are able to practise the sport and are given opportunities to play for a team at various levels. “Our coaches are all volunteers and are dedicated to investing into each child and developing their love for the sport.

“The club is entirely run by volunteers and is funded through membership subscriptions and fundraising initiatives. Funds are also set aside to assist needy players to participate in national tournaments.”

The club also supplies all kit to new players while they try the sport. Moeng said the club prides itself on its achievements as the primary feeder to the Gauteng provincial team.

She congratulated members of the club, Olivia Langston and Liam Elferink, for winning the best player award in their respective gender categories at the recent national tournament in Potchefstroom.

“Coach Michael de Villiers from the club also received the Juniors Coach of the Year award. Our province has won the national tournament three years in a row,” she said.

Details: Christ Church Midrand 011 318 2481