The hockey culture at Potchefstroom Central School was given a shot in the arm with the delivery of brand new plastic hockey sticks that Grade 1–3 players can use in their mini-hockey programme.
Thanks to the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) and North West Hockey, these new colourful sticks, with a dual purpose ball net attached to the sticks, will provide young players with much needed equipment to excel from a young age.
‘We are very grateful for these sticks. There has been a big growth with regards to hockey at Potch Central and we currently have nine boys and one girl representing North West in various age groups,’ said Potch Central’s hockey organiser, Jodi Killassy-Prior.
According to her, the idea for the sponsorship of these plastic sticks came when North West Hockey Association president, Shaun Hulley, came on board after a successful mini-hockey tournament last year.
‘There was a lot of interest in the mini-hockey tournament but the old-fashioned wooden sticks made it difficult for the kids. Shaun then decided to help us out with equipment to further the kids’ interest in hockey and, in turn, promote our feeder system,’ added Killassy-Prior.
She added that the school has approximately 50–56 players currently involved in mini-hockey and that the new sticks will definitely give them an opportunity to have fun and develop a love for the game.
Hulley also expressed the same motivation and accentuated the need for accountability from North West Hockey’s side as well.
‘We must ensure that hockey development begins from a young age and that there are systems in place. This is one of the important factors when developing a hockey culture from youth to senior levels,’ he added.