The City of Johannesburg’ Sports Directorate recently joined forces with In-Touch Community Support Group to host hockey clinics at Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre in Newlands.
“Collaborating with NGOs such as In-Touch Community Support Group helps the City to ensure access to sport and recreation facilities, promote healthy lifestyle and advance the creation of safe spaces for young ones,” said Stella Manamela, the Sport and Recreation Facility Manager at Danie van Zyl.
She said children in the area love hockey and it is one of the best things to allow hockey to be played in the hall. But once senior players are playing in the hall you cannot watch them because of the space but at least we have hockey here in Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre.
When asked why clinics were held at Danie van Zyl as it does not have hockey fields, coach Ron Minnar said: “For years, there have been numerous outcries to develop hockey in townships and villages. To date, building of facilities to accommodate hockey has not met expected outcomes. And, if you keep on waiting endlessly, you will never get anywhere.”
“So, as In-Touch Community Support Group we opted to introduce modified hockey in Bosmont and surrounding areas. We don’t only do hockey; we use various sport activities as a vehicle to address community needs like fighting crime and feeding the needy. Today we are focusing on hockey for young ones to develop their bodies, mind and keep them busy constructively.”
Watching the young ones chase, hit and flip the ball for it to reach a teammate showed teamwork. Senior players were there to coach the young ones too.
Minnar said it is important to start playing sport at a young age as it develops your body and brain. “We coach at the early childhood centres and, so far we have seen progress.”
Ryan Burgers, a senior member in the team, agreed that it is better to start playing when you are young.
“I started playing at Constantia Primary Schools and since then I have never stopped. I had an opportunity to represent my school at the provincial games. Hockey kept me busy, and I never had time to engage in bad activities. As a matter of fact, I’ve been playing hockey for the past 20 years and dearly love this game.”