SA Hockey icon's experiences beenefit local players and coaches

Young hockey players and coaches from Gauteng took part in the Pretoria-leg of the Investec Hockey Academy’s courses and got to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of SA Hockey’s best former and current, players and coaches at Menlo Park High School this past weekend.

Following the academy’s successful players’ courses in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, the Investec Hockey Academy decided to extend their offering through a coaching course which featured a line-up of professional coaches; SA Women’s coach Sheldon Rostron, SA Women’s U21 coach Lindsey Wright, SA Women’s U18 coach Rob van Ginkel and SA Field Hockey umpire Peter Wright (new rules). The two-day courses provided coaches with lessons on player skills development for the modern game, tactical advantages to enhance performance outcomes, conditioning to endure a long term athlete, visual training, player performance management, nutrition and match energy systems.

“The Investec Hockey Academy’s aim is to share the latest tactical and technical information with enthusiastic coaches who want to make a difference to their players and team(s),” said Lindsey Wright, Investec Hockey Academy course head.

Local players were provided the opportunity to work closely with Olympians’ Shelley Russell, Lisa Deetlefs, Bernadette Coston and Lloyd Madsen as well as national men’s player Miguel de Grasa, current SA Women’s Captain Nicolene Terblanche and former Sharks and Lions Physiotherapist Ruan Fourie. The Investec Hockey Academy’s Players’ courses aim for personal development through a comprehensive look at current international tactical and technical trends used by professionals, providing an understanding of what it takes to play at the highest level.

“The courses we offer work on creating a dynamic well-rounded athlete. Very important aspects such as mental toughness, functional ability, vision training, fitness, nutrition, recovery techniques and athlete education in general are addressed at the academy. These aspects are vital in one’s sporting development,” emphasises general manager of the Investec Hockey Academy, Shelley Russell.

The academy hopes to have an impact on the future of SA Women’s Hockey in international events such as the World Cup, the Olympics and Commonwealth Games by increasing the pool of young talented hockey players by providing the latest in international hockey techniques to coaches and players in order to remain competitive.

“We have some exceptionally talented coaches in SA who possess the knowledge that, if shared amongst coaches, could have a greater impact on our talent and produce a base of players, that our country could benefit from on an international level,” says Wright.

“I would love to see the natural-born talent that we have in abundance in this country, be directed in the correct way, so we can grow the sport nationally and, subsequently, improve our international standing,” said a passionate Russell.

For more information about the Investec Hockey Academy and it’s next courses visit www.investechockeyacademy.com or contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or bernadine@investecacademy.com