NC Federation in drive to boost hockey awareness

HOCKEY in the Province has been one of those sports that has not been getting the attention like more popular sports such as rugby and soccer, and there are probably many factors contributing to this neglect, like too few games being played, a scarcity of hockey events, and also the lack of funding.

But this is hopefully about to change with the NC Hockey Federation launching their Junior Development Programme next month, where all children across the board can participate at no cost to the parents.

Children will be placed in different age groups, and they will be able to train and play in matches while the federation will also be supplying the equipment for them to use.

“By doing this, we are trying to get more youngsters involved in hockey because it is our younger generation that will have to take this sport forward,” Lehanie told the DFA.

There is also a programme being launched on May 6 at William Pescod School called ‘Let’s Play’. Supersport Let’s Play and the South African

Hockey Association are joining forces to launch a new project called the

Let’s Play-sa Hockey Modified Hockey

Programme (MHP).

According to Lehanie, today,

Gary Dolley will host a coach’s course level-zero at the Sol Plaatje University Sports Grounds. This course will empower the newly-trained coaches in teaching hockey to everybody who is interested, especially those that are part of the Development Programme.

Five hockey coaches will also be trained as level-zero facilitators to strengthen the NC Hockey Federation and grow the sport further in the Province.

Lehanie also invited local businesses to come on-board to help kick-start the programme. “Due to hockey not being a popular sport like rugby, cricket, and soccer, we are struggling with funding, and we are inviting businesses to come and put up their advertising boards at the Cassandra Astro Turf grounds.

“Or if any sponsors would like to assist NC hockey, by all means get involved,” he added. “Sending hockey teams for competitions out of town doesn’t come cheap, which is why we are looking at different avenues to get sponsors to assist us in doing that,” Lehanie said.

Anybody who would like to get involved can contact Brynmor Lehanie at secretarynchf@gmail.com.