The Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) successfully hosted coaching clinics and coaching courses to teachers and learners from 3 to 6 June in Mariental.
The event took place at Danie Joubert combined school and was attended by teachers and learners from Danie Joubert Combined School, Mariental High School, DD Guibeb Primary School, Mariental Primary School, Sonop Primary School and Empelheim Secondary School.
A coaching course for coaches and teachers took place on Wednesday 3 June and was followed by coaching clinics for all the learners on 4 and 5 June. These coaching clinics culminated in the Regional Hockey Festival on Saturday 6 June in Mariental.
Erwin Handura of the Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) said that Mariental was fortunate to have Elvis Thomas as the coordinator for this historical event.
“Thomas has transformed hockey in the Karas region (Keetmanshoop) over the past five years during which time they have beaten some of the so-called traditional hockey schools like WHS in the boys section,” he said.
“Thomas, a former student at Unam also played for the mighty Unam giants, that captured 12 national outdoor titles between 2000-2012. He currently teaches at Danie Joubert and all the hard work in Keetmanshoop could be down the drain if we can not secure the services of a committed and hard working individual to take hockey in the Karas region to new heights,” he added.
The Mariental coaching clinics and festival was attended by 115 players representing the above-mentioned schools. Thomas’ work at Danie Joubert combined school was already visible when his u12 and u15 boys teams dominated their respective categories during the Hardap Festival on Saturday.
The hard work for the teachers and players will start soon when the schools league matches get underway in June and July.
“The NHU will plant the seed, namely coach the coach and the players, then provide them with equipment. The responsibility to develop the game further will be the responsibility of each school,” Handura said.
The NHU will also develop the game further in the Khomas, Kavango, Oshana and Karas regions between June and September this year.
Next year the NHU will take the game to five new regions. The NHU will have a “Stick drive” which is aimed at obtaining unused sticks from former hockey players or schools throughout Namibia.
“These sticks will be donated to new schools the NHU is introducing the game to. So we appeal to former hockey players to donate their unused hockey equipment to the NHU by contacting me at 0811248249,” Handura said.
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