Field hockey kicks off on a high note

THE Field League of the Namibia Hockey Union kicked off in the capital on Saturday with teams showing early signs of doing well for the new season.

Two new teams made their starts on impressive notes over the weekend. In the women’s reserve league (1st league) new comers Rehoboth Hockey Club, narrowly lost to UNAM II through a first half goal in the 23rd minute by Christella Swartbooi.Rehoboth however had chances and could not convert them into goals.The surprise of the day was Civics men’s team in the men’s reserve (first) league who beat UNAM II 2-1.Civics opened their account through the stick of Lester Meyer in the first half, but UNAM strongly came back in the second half to equalized through Ronaldo Kapuire.In the dying minutes of the match, Civics was awarded a penalty stroke which former UNAM player Johan Visagie converted to wrap up the match for Civics.About six ex-UNAM players played for the Civilians.This was yet another milestone in the history of hockey development that two new clubs joined the union as members.Another club that existed and died over the years is the Gobabis Hockey Club.The club managed to re-group and will only play friendly matches this year, but are expected to to enter in the national league next season.Another team that would soon make its mark in the national league would be the Hockey School of Excellence cc – Rehoboth Men’s team.The team mostly comprised of ex and current Dr. Lemmer, Rehoboth High school and M & K Gertze learners.The club was started in May 2004, and is coached by Erwin Handura and Heinrich Swartbooi.The premier league match between DTS I and Windhoek Old Boys Sports Club (WOBSC) on Saturday, ended 3-all.WOBSC, missing eight of its regular premier league players made use of its reserve league juniors and being two goals down at one stage, earned a valuable point.The women’s premier league match between UNAM and Wanderers was a one-sided affair.UNAM thumbed Wanderers 4-0 thanks to goals by Natasha Bassingthwaighte (1), Irene Handura (1) and Frieda Kalondo (2).The league will continue this Saturday again at the Doc Jubber fields in Olympia.In the women’s reserve league (1st league) new comers Rehoboth Hockey Club, narrowly lost to UNAM II through a first half goal in the 23rd minute by Christella Swartbooi.Rehoboth however had chances and could not convert them into goals.The surprise of the day was Civics men’s team in the men’s reserve (first) league who beat UNAM II 2-1.Civics opened their account through the stick of Lester Meyer in the first half, but UNAM strongly came back in the second half to equalized through Ronaldo Kapuire.In the dying minutes of the match, Civics was awarded a penalty stroke which former UNAM player Johan Visagie converted to wrap up the match for Civics.About six ex-UNAM players played for the Civilians.This was yet another milestone in the history of hockey development that two new clubs joined the union as members.Another club that existed and died over the years is the Gobabis Hockey Club.The club managed to re-group and will only play friendly matches this year, but are expected to to enter in the national league next season.Another team that would soon make its mark in the national league would be the Hockey School of Excellence cc – Rehoboth Men’s team.The team mostly comprised of ex and current Dr. Lemmer, Rehoboth High school and M & K Gertze learners.The club was started in May 2004, and is coached by Erwin Handura and Heinrich Swartbooi.The premier league match between DTS I and Windhoek Old Boys Sports Club (WOBSC) on Saturday, ended 3-all.WOBSC, missing eight of its regular premier league players made use of its reserve league juniors and being two goals down at one stage, earned a valuable point.The women’s premier league match between UNAM and Wanderers was a one-sided affair.UNAM thumbed Wanderers 4-0 thanks to goals by Natasha Bassingthwaighte (1), Irene Handura (1) and Frieda Kalondo (2).The league will continue this Saturday again at the Doc Jubber fields in Olympia.