Jam-packed year awaits hockey players

Learners are back at school, sports are already well underway with the school athletics season nearing its final phases, and many winter sports players are turning their focus to their sports of choice.

Khosa Hockey is gearing up for a jam-packed year of club hockey, and announced its general roadmap for the coming season which is set to start on Saturday, February 19 and go on for about 20 weeks (well into June).

First on the roster is preparations for the upcoming Southern Gauteng Hockey Association season, which are essentially Friday night league games and derby Saturdays for the mini-hockey players.

The club currently has just over 130 players but usually the numbers go up to 200 registered players throughout the year. As many as 300 players can participate in Fast 5s. Khosa will have five mini-hockey teams, namely U/5, U/7, U/9 and U/11, and three junior hockey teams, namely U/13, U/15 and U/17.

Joze Mestre, Khosa Hockey’s Chairman said, “We are passionate about working with players not only to help improve their playing skills, but to help them grow in their individual capacities. We aim to provide tremendous value to our club members by offering over 20 weeks of hockey that includes field, Fast 5, and indoor hockey, all covered by one club fee.”

Khosa Hockey worked hard throughout 2021 to keep the sport going and allow players time on the field, within strict protocols, when other sports had to halt most of their games and practices.

“Khosa Hockey has been in existence for over 40 years and proudly boasts some of the top coaches in the country who are eager to impart their skill and knowledge to bring our school learners up to club level standard,” said John Westermeyer, coach and Vice-chairman for Khosa Mini Hockey.

Six new coaches are also joining the team this year, with the new head of coaches Robin Franklin boasting an impressive playing and coaching career, having coached the Hoërskool Monument High first team, among others.