Hockey for the little ones back on track

School learners are among those affected most by regulations surrounding the nationwide lockdown. Although they’ve been back at school for a few months now, there have been very few opportunities to blow off steam amid the mounting study stress. Participating in school sport has helped a lot in previous years, but this year has seen organised sport being halted.

But, the time has finally come for school sports to return, though in a very different shape and form as there is some hope to be found away from the school sports fields.

Come 7 November, the Khosa Mini Hockey and Junior Hockey teams will be returning to the Astro in full force. The club will be practising again on the Hoërskool Noordheuwel turf every Saturday from 10am and 12 noon, with registrations opening on that day.

“The venue has been inspected and approved for practices in terms of The South African Hockey Association and the Southern Gauteng Hockey Association protocols, and we have access to the Astro sooner,” said mini hockey chairperson, Deon du Toit. Funds paid in 2020 will be carried over to the 2021 season, and the rest of the 2020 practices for the U/5 and U/11 mini groups and the U/14 to U/17 junior groups are free of charge. Players who have not registered at the beginning of the 2020 season still need to complete a Khosa registration form (at the Astro field) as per the rules set out to practice,” Deon added.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, those visiting or joining in on practices will be expected to sign in, have their temperature logged, wear masks except while on the field, sanitize their hands and equipment, not share water bottles, and maintain social distancing. Parents are to remain outside the premises until practice is over. The coaches will take players to and from the main gate. Other preventative practices will also be implemented where needed.