Morningside hockey’s winning formula
MORNINGSIDE – Players as young as three play at festivals to get exposed to big events.
Morningside Country Club’s hockey section is all about blooding youngsters and developing them into star players.
In fact, the club’s junior section is almost as big as its senior section – with about 200 players from U5 to U17 level.
Greg McDonald, the men’s hockey captain, said the first hockey festivals of the season, played in mid to late May, would have been some of the first competitive hockey events for some of the youngest players.
“We take children from as young as three to play at these festivals to get them exposed to matches and the atmosphere of a big event,” he said.
“They learn life skills like how to deal with situations without the help of their parents, and they take responsibility and play a role in a team.”
Of course, fun is always had at the club and the physical benefits of playing hockey go without saying.
“The U5 to U11 teams just play at festivals until the Friday night leagues, which is U13 to U17 level. They also play hockey fives (5-a-side) matches. From there we start getting the good players who are 15 and older to start playing in the senior sides too, apart from their junior teams.”
This, McDonald said, benefits the youngsters because they learn from older players’ experience and develop their own skills and mental game faster.
He concluded by encouraging anyone interested in trying out hockey as a sport to contact the club.
Details: Morningside Country Club info@morningsidehockey.co.za 011 803 1805.
Also read: Wanderers Hockey Festival sees more than 1 000 players take to the field
