Mini hockey returns to Old Eds
The original initiative was started in the early 1980’s by Norman Morrison, and then carried on through the 1990’s with Malcolm King and Dave Hodgkinson. It was designed to attract young players to the game who were given basic skills coaching each Saturday morning during winter.
The original initiative was started in the early 80s by Norman Morrison, and then carried on through the 90s by Malcolm King and Dave Hodgkinson.
It was designed to attract young players to the game who were given basic skills coaching. Tours and friendly matches were organised, particularly the annual tour to Pietermaritzburg and Durban, where players took part in the Mini Hockey Festival run by Digby Rhodes, father of SA cricketer Jonty Rhodes.
Mini hockey will return to Old Eds..
Mini hockey training sessions will now be held at Old Eds each Saturday from 26 April at 11am to 1pm.
These sessions will be conducted by Daryl Coker, Kevin Finlay and Thornton McDade, one of the players who participated in mini hockey and has since gone on to represent South Africa.
At the moment these sessions are open to young boys in the age groups of U9, U11 and U13, and it is hoped that with sufficient numbers, these sessions will be expanded to include girls.
Matches will be organised, and it is hoped that teams can be sent to festivals throughout the season so as to give the future generation of players as much experience and exposure as possible.
In the past, this form of hockey has been an ideal platform for players to receive coaching from provincial and international players. It has proved to be the springboard for players to graduate into the senior game with some of them going on to play for their country.
Details:t Thornton McDade: 071 216 6052 or thornton.mcdade@gmail.com.
