Coaching clinics for disadvantaged children
MALANSHOF – Premier Hockey League brings the game back to grassroots.
The country’s best players have been hogging the limelight this month playing in the Premier Hockey League (PHL) on the main Randburg Astro.
But arguably an even more important development has been taking place on the upper field as the South African Hockey Association (Saha) and the Southern Gauteng Hockey Association (SGHA) hold coaching clinics for disadvantaged children.
Over the past four weeks, 180 children aged 10 to 13 have been playing Hockey 5s, the new short, pacey format of the game being introduced by the International Hockey Federation. There is a lack of Astro facilities for children in disadvantaged areas to play the sport, but other challenges include the cost of equipment, transport and coaching.
Mervyn Mooi, a junior hockey development coordinator for SGHA, said there was a pool of more than 5 000 players in the province who were now going to be brought into the system. Mooi said, “These players, up to U14 level, come from disadvantaged areas where hockey is dysfunctional or non-existent.
“But as clubs in southern Gauteng, we need to engage them otherwise their talent won’t be discovered playing in unofficial leagues. For some, it’s just wonderful to be able to get out on the weekend and play hockey on a wonderful AstroTurf facility for the first time.”
The initiative is supported by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
“We want to make this sustainable; we want it to happen every week so we can really build a love and passion for the game amongst all Gauteng’s children. The sport of hockey has to become more accessible,” said Saha vice-president Lwandile Simelane.
Players are attending the coaching clinics from 11 different clubs including In Touch from Bosmont, Wings, Westbury Villa, Claremont, Soshanguve, Diepsloot Silverstars, Noordgesig, Riverlea, Newbury, Ennerdale and Eldorado Park.
In Touch are driving the process by coordinating the initiative and supplying coaches.
Both Saha and SGHA have had hockey stick recycling drives that have seen many unused hockey sticks donated to the development programme, but the desperate need that exists at grassroots level means any and all assistance is greatly appreciated.
Details: Frontiers Sport, Cleo Schoonebeek 011 303 7000.
