Khosa Junior Hockey still undefeated

A true athlete always stands up after getting knocked down. It’s about how you take the hit and if you can smile and prove your worth when things get tough. For Khosa Junior Hockey, these words ring true.

They started off late in the season with fewer hockey players than they needed after going through a recent rough patch. But, with the junior teams now under the competent leadership of Werner Jansen van Vuuren, managing member of Khosa Junior Hockey, with a helping hand from Khosa Mini Hockey’s Deon du Toit, and a few new accomplished coaches, they’re fighting their way to the top once more.

“So far, we’re undefeated this season,” said coach Ulrich Opperman from TK Hockey as he showed his Khosa team a new technique.

“We have quite a few provincial players in our U/15 girls team,” Werner noted, going on to explain that at that very moment they had a full U/15 girls team, but were still busy filling the U/17 girls- and U/15 and U/16 boys teams. With just over three months left in the season, and the club ending off its practices in late November, there are still quite a few friendlies and ranked games left for the teams to take on.

For the coaches and management, it’s all about personal development of the players, more than just dominating on the scoreboard.

It’s also not often that you see a coach run out with his team during practices.

At the Khosa Junior Hockey club, they strive to teach children about the value behind giving their all and remaining humble.

“Sometimes players aren’t chosen for their school team, be it for whatever reason. There will always be room for them in our teams,” Deon explained. “We take what they learn in schools and push it to the next level. They can take away so much more here, and often go on to form part of their school’s or even provincial teams later on.”