According to the newly-elected chairman of the Northern Cape Hockey Federation Brynmor Le Hanie, hockey in the Northern Cape is back.
FOR WHAT seems like the longest time, rugby, netball and soccer have been the main sporting events that are played on a regular basis, but the game of hockey has just been lagging behind the rest.
In fact, hockey is seemingly generally disregarded, but this seems to be especially true in the Northern Cape. For too long the game has not featured much as a widely appreciated sport.
But all this is being overturned after the Northern Cape Hockey Federation elected the New Executive at the Annual General Meeting that was held on May 2. Speaking to the Executive, I could see the fire within and the burning passion to bring hockey back to the forefront and into the limelight again.
According to the newly-elected chairman of the Northern Cape Hockey Federation Brynmor Le Hanie, hockey in the Northern Cape is back.
“As custodians of the sporting code in the Northern Cape, our future plans are to foster hockey on all levels in accordance with the statutes of the South African Hockey Association (SAHA),” Le Hanie told the DFA. “We are also aiming to support and maintain the rules of the game of hockey as determined by SAHA and in accordance with the spirit of the Olympic Movement,” he added.
Le Hanie said that their mission as a federation is to advance the interest of hockey in the Northern Cape, regardless of politics, race, religion or gender, while at the same time improving the visibility of the sport within the province.
“Hockey was mainly known to be active within the Frances Baard district. However, we can confirm that through an active school league and regional body we have a footprint in the JTG district, the ZFM district as well the Pixley Ka Seme district,” Le Hanie said.
He said that the NC Hockey Federation executive is pleased to announce that the past weekend saw the first Master’s Games being played, a welcome first for the province.
“We hope that this will encourage all former hockey players to return to the sport so that they can be part of this exciting new initiative,” Le Hanie said. He added that they currently have seven men’s teams and four women’s teams participating in their premier division.
Senior provincial teams will be selected of which the Senior Men’s Team will be participating in the Inter-Provincial Tournament.
The Inter-Provincial School Hockey Tournaments will also be taking place in Stellenbosch from June 25 to July 13.
The following teams will be taking part in the event:
June 25 – July 1 in Stellenbosch
Under-18 Girls
Under-18 A Boys
Under-18 B Boys
July 7-13 in Stellenbosch
Under-16 Boys
Under- 16 Girls
Le Hanie sent out an invitation to all hockey-loving spectators to come out and support all the hockey games taking place this year, saying, “We really value our spectators, and their support next to the field on game day is really appreciated.”
