Hockey coach Jarryd Byron on teaching old dogs new tricks
Once you get to masters level everyone knows what they're doing. I'm 35, so sometimes you have to convince them to trust a coach who is younger.
North Coast hockey coach Jarryd Byron is already a World Cup winner and hopes to add another gold medal to his tally in 2024.
As coach of the South African men’s over-50 side last year, which included Salt Rock’s Rupert Remke, Byron masterminded the World Cup victory in Cape Town.
The team beat the likes of England, Germany and Malaysia on their way to the title and proved the strength of masters’ hockey in the country.
Byron now turns his attention to the over-35 ladies SA team, which has yet to be picked but could include a number of North Coast hopefuls.
Shelley Jones, Rochelle van Staden, Danielle Robert-Hardman, Joanne le Roux and Chantel Robert all played with the larger squad at a recent training camp in Johannesburg.
After final selection early next year, the ladies will take on a World Cup campaign of their own.
“You know they say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but I think you can,” laughed Byron.
“It’s not so much about direct coaching but more keeping the team together and disciplined in search of that common goal.”
Byron’s day job is being the school psychologist at Curro Salt Rock, so coaching the mental aspect of elite sport is something he is perfectly qualified for.
“Once you get to masters level everyone knows what they’re doing. I’m 35, so sometimes you have to convince them to trust a coach who is younger than them, but once that relationship exists the team is in a good place,” he said.
Originally from Johannesburg, Byron was an SA Schools player in high school and also played regular club hockey until his life became too busy a few years ago.
He first started coaching with St Stithians and has since coached KwaZulu-Natal teams from U13 level up to over 35.
“We may be behind in terms of professional hockey, but not talent. I’ve seen it at every level that I’ve coached.”
Aside from his work at Curro and masters coaching duties, Byron also coaches budding stars at the Rise Hockey Academy.
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