SA Hockey icons’ experiences

The impact made by the Investec Hockey Academy on the lives of KZN school girls, who took part in the first KwaZulu-Natal courses held this past weekend at Crawford College in Durban, extends beyond the AstroTurf. These young players (aged eight to 18) were given the opportunity to work closely with a number of former and current SA Hockey players.

The courses featured six Olympian players and two World Cup players as well as SA Men’s Hockey coach, Fabian Gregory, and SA Women’s Hockey U21 coach, Lindsay Wright. The coaches at the academy used their expertise to provide players with an understanding of what it takes to succeed in women’s sport and in life.

The two-day courses provided players with lessons on professionalism, mental toughness, nutrition, functional ability, vision training, recovery techniques and athlete education.

“The courses we offer work on creating a dynamic well-rounded athlete. We try to give young, aspiring hockey stars a glimpse, and start the process, of what is required to fine-tune their skills and abilities,” said current SA Women’s Hockey player and Investec Hockey Academy’s General Manager, Shelley Russell.

The Investec Hockey Academy is more than just skills training and development –  it gives enrolees a look into the lives of top level players, providing them with an understanding of what it takes to succeed in hockey and in life. “Although we try to identify, and nurture, future hockey stars through the program, we are by no means an elitist programme, and any female players with a desire to improve their hockey expertise are welcome at the Investec Hockey Academy,” says Russell.

The academy acts as a platform to identify potential talent which allows players to be noticed in order to grow the sport nationally.

“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.

The Investec Hockey Academy’s next set of courses will commence on Saturday, 12 to Wednesday, 16 December at St Mary’s School in Johannesburg. To book contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or visit www.investechockeyacademy.com