Hockey returns after two years of no fixtures
Local hockey returned to the BUCO astroturf from May 20 after a twoyear hiatus as a result of the pandemic.
A weekend of fixtures ensued with teams and spectators alike enthusing about their hopes, anxieties and goals for the season ahead.
Dirk Steyn, Buffs manager and coach, said the players were excited to have the opportunity to play again and that even the rain on day one of the season did not deter their excitement.
Chairperson for Bohs Hockey Club, Wendy Stuart, said players and sports administrators alike hoped the season would be the start of a semblance of normality returning to sport after the lockdown-imposed restrictions over the past two years.
The restrictions instituted by the Border Hockey Association, in compliance with national Covid-19 protocols, resulted in many players withdrawing from the sport.
This has meant teams have to work much harder this season to rebuild lost physical and mental* momentum. Jonathan Adams, the secretary for Parkside Ladies Hockey Club and an administrator at Border Hockey Association, said “hockey took a heavy knock during Covid19”.
He said a severe strain on the league had been the decimation of key resources such as the Buffalo Flats astroturf.
Throughout the last few years, the Buffalo Flats turf has been left to waste away, ruining training schedules for teams situated in and around this area.
The turf has traditionally been the sporting ground for teams such as Parkside Ladies Hockey Club, however, the club has been forced to cut its budget to the bare minimum to ensure for travel costs for practises at the BUCO astroturf.
Despite this, Parkside Ladies first side has had an excellent start to the year, emerging second at the KC Easter Tournament and claiming victory in their match last Saturday against Buffs ladies first side.
Throughout the league, teams are being forced to modify their practice approach to allow everyone an opportunity to practise on the BUCO turf.
Adams said hockey at any level in the country was costly for players and the technical nature of the sport also meant that infrastructure required constant maintenance.
Adams said the BUCO astroturf, for instance, was due for an upgrade that could amount to about R3m.
Adams added that progress was being made to repair the Buffalo Flats astroturf and that though this was a costly venture, various stakeholders were committed to ensuring its success.
For the season ahead, Stuart would like to see exciting displays of competition.
“We hope for more clubs because some are folding and some clubs are too big and we need more clubs to join so that we can distribute strength throughout the league between the clubs so that the league does not become boring,” Stuart said.