Depth in this sport

At the event players were also awarded their Gauteng half and full colours. The junior and senior national tournaments will take place in Stellenbosch from 28 February to 2 March and in Sunninghill from 21 to 22 March respectively.

Gauteng province has entered four teams for the SA Junior Inter-Provincial Underwater Hockey Championships tournament and three teams for the SA Underwater Hockey Nationals.

Underwater hockey has been played in South Africa for about 50 years, but it is only recently that the sport has gained momentum and popularity within communities.

The sport is defined as a non-contact sport and is played on the bottom of a 2m-deep swimming pool, by two teams of six players, wearing fins, a mask,

a snorkel, a protective glove and headgear.

The puck, a 1.3kg lead-filled object, is pushed along the bottom of the pool using a hockey stick which is about 30cm long.

Underwater hockey practice for juniors (all players up to U19 age group) takes place at Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club, on the corner of 9th and 11th roads, Erand in Midrand on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and on Saturday mornings.

For more information, community members can contact Konrad Weinert.

Underwater hockey practice for seniors (all players older than 19 years) takes place at The Wahoo Aquatic Centre, 516 Maxwell Drive, Sunninghill, on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Details: Konrad Weinert, 082 557 3206082 557 3206 or Kevin Cooke, 082 464 2034082 464 2034.