Sweeping their way to the ice hockey top

Sweepers Ice Hockey Club’s Learn to skate programme established in 2005 at the Northgate Shopping Centre ice arena, has in the long run brought the club international achievements.

“We started as an affiliate to the programme and soon morphed into a full-time fully fledged ice hockey academy within the constraints of the Northgate ice arena. We are only allowed to use floor hockey pucks and sticks as there are no ice hockey glasses or nets around the arena. But that has not stopped us from producing top level players,” said Sweepers ice hockey club owner, Leon van Rensburg.

The most recent accolades came when a few of the members represented South Africa on international level, taking part in tournaments in Turkey and Mexico, achieving the highest levels on the winner’s podium.

The ice hockey club has a strong focus on family values and proudly hosts a few family orientated ice hockey lessons.

“Our main aim will always remain to cater for ice skaters of all ages and for anyone wanting to learn to play ice hockey. Our coaching staff includes national team coaching staff as well as national team players, who are willing to plough back the experience they gained on the international scene.”

Van Rensburg stated that although the Northgate ice arena is often just for practice, the players do take part in some hockey games in other areas. “We practice every Sunday from 6pm to 7pm. We use this time to train our ice hockey players to be perfect. In the end we deliver players that can fit into a league team or represent our country.”

She said the club’s success is mainly because of the love of the game, the sport and seeing the future secure in the hands of the rising star players.

Details: Leon van Rensburg leonjvanr@gmail.com