Download hockey fixtures 2012

The hockey season has officially started and I am very excited to measure our strength against other schools, but also to train happy, healthy and strong athletes.  The trend is to concentrate more on creating strong, fast, healthy learners, rather than getting the techniques perfect with stick and ball and specializing in certain positions.  So, therefore I will rotate the hockey players so that everyone has a chance to play at least one match and I will make it possible for the girls to try out different positions, like goalie, centre link, back etc. 

Practice sessions will continue to take place on Wednesdays, but matches will take place on Thursdays in the second and third terms only as hockey is a winter sport.  Matches will take at least 20 minutes each way, so will take about 40 minutes in total with a little water/orange break halfway. Also one has to calculate at least an extra 30 min. for the drive if a match is away but usually we make it back to the DSK around 4 pm.  Eleven players, one or two reserves and the coach will be bussed from the DSK to the relevant schools on the days when we do not play at home.  Of course home matches take less time but we have to provide a drink/oranges for the guest team and here I ask parents to please help provide refreshments and to come and support your girls.  If it rains I usually hear by about 12.30 am if a field is waterlogged or not and then I find out whether a match should be cancelled or postponed.  Always assume a game is going to take place and then if it rains very hard maybe contact your child between 12 and 1 pm to find out what is going on.  Announcements will always be posted on the sports board so the girls will have to keep their eyes open.

Equipment Needed
According to the safety rules, players should at least wear shin pads and a mouth guard.  The school has a few hockey sticks to lend to learners, but to play comfortably it is recommended that the learner buys her own stick.  At this age and level the cheapest kind of wooden stick with a normal hook at the end are recommended, because learners grow out of them so fast and because brand names are simply overpriced.  A straight wooden stick (more parallel when lying on floor) is easier to handle than a curved one.  The right size of stick comes up to just under the hip or does not stick out at the top when a learner holds it with both hands or doesn’t look awkward.  My suggestion is also that players should all have some water or cool drink and have some sunscreen on or a cap.  The school cap can be recommended.  Players should buy one pair of red and white soccer socks at the school shop or borrow socks from other soccer players in this school.  Shirts are provided from the school for matches. 

Hockey Future
The SRC has made it possible that girls who want to continue playing hockey in the high school can do so by joining the Jan van Riebeeck school’s U14, U16 and U19 teams.  So, even though I am the only hockey coach in the DSK at the moment, your girl does have opportunity to continue the sport. 

Coach Contact Details
Thank you so much for your co-operation.  If you have any questions, please email me at simonemachhadi@dsk.co.za

I wish all good health for an exciting hockey season ahead!

Regards
Simoné Machhadi (Hockey coach and umpire for girls in grades 5 to 7 in the DSK)