NC Federation in drive to increase 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. The Northern Cape Hockey Federation is on a mission to bring more awareness to the sport; they are planning on being more visible and, by doing that, bringing more attention to the game of hockey in our province.

According to the Chairman of the Northern Cape Hockey Federation, Brynmor Lehanie, hockey has been in the background for far too long, and now is the time to change that.

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According to Lehanie, the Federation will be 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).

The Modified Hockey Programme is part of SA Hockey’s growth strategy and is aligned with the physical education programme to encourage inter-class and inter-grade participation, followed by a neighbourhood league within communities.

Another modified hockey hub was also established at Rosendal Primary in Upington.

This project is in line with MultiChoice’s goal of improving the lives of young people and promoting sports participation, particularly in communities that have had limited exposure to the sport of hockey.

The Let's Play-SA Hockey MHP is a continuation of the Let’s Play Fields Project, which has constructed versatile sports fields in schools located in underprivileged communities over the past two years. The aim of this initiative is to create a vibrant sporting culture in these communities and to leverage the power of sports to effect positive change in these areas.

Lehanie said that the development of community sport was more important than many imagined.

“The Let's Play initiative has shown that sports can have a significant impact on children’s health and well-being, as well as their social and psychological development. Sports teach values such as teamwork, discipline, inclusion, perseverance, and respect, which are essential for young people’s growth and development.

“This is why MultiChoice is committed to initiatives like the Let's Play Fields Project, which provide opportunities for young people's growth and development, particularly in disadvantaged communities,” he said.

According to Lehanie, on Friday (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 Northern Cape Hockey Federation and grow the sport further in the Province.

Lehanie 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 somewhat with funding, and we are inviting businesses to come and put up their advertising boards at the Cassandra Astro Turf grounds,” he said.

“Or if any sponsors would like to assist Northern Cape 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.

With a new hope to rejuvenate hockey in the province, let’s all hope that hockey gets the attention and boost it deserves and that sponsors will jump on board to assist the Northern Cape Hockey Federation in realising their efforts to bring hockey to the forefront on the local scene.

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