Standard Bank Namibia Junior Hockey Initiative reached yet another milestone with the introduction of hockey in Omaruru, Erongo region and Rundu in the Kavango East region respectively.
The Omaruru Coaching Clinics took place last week on 20-21 July at the Olympic Centre and was attended by Paheje primary, Ubasen, Waldfrieden primary and Omaruru primary school. Eighty (80) children from these four (4) primary schools and 8 teachers were trained through this initiative and league matches between these four schools will start mid August.
On 25-26 July this week the Initiative introduced hockey to 80 children from four primary schools in Rundu, in the Kavango East region. These schools are: Rudolf Ngond PS, Ndama CS, Andreas PS and Rundu Senior Primary school.
The last two towns to benefit form the Standard Bank Junior Hockey Initiative in 2022 will be Ombalantu in Omusati region and Outjo in Kunene region during the first week of August.
This will bring the number of schools to 52 representing 11 regions with 106 coaches trained and about 1100 u/10 junior hockey players coached in 11 months. After the completion of coaching clinics in Outjo and Ombalantu next week, regional leagues in all the 12 towns (Windhoek, Rehoboth, Mariental, Outjo, Omaruru, Ongwediva, Rundu, Tsumeb, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop, Okahandja and Ombalantu) will commence.
Each of the 12 towns will also host a regional tournament that will serve as regional trials to select the best 10 boys and best 10 girls that will represent each town at the National Festival that will be held in Windhoek on 1-2 October in Windhoek. Gobabis u/9 girls and Okahandja u/9 boys won the inaugural Standard Bank National Festival held on 27 November last year in Windhoek.
During the first school term in 2022 we managed to introduce hockey to Keetmanshoop, Tsumeb and Ongwediva. About 260 learners and 24 teachers were trained.
The remaining regions to be trained in 2023 will be Zambezi (Katima), Ohangwena(Ohangwena) and Kavango West (Nkurenkuru).
Compiled by Erwin Handura, Project Manager
Standard Bank Junior Hockey Initiative