Rural schools in Vhembe embrace hockey despite challenges

Hockey, often regarded as a sport reserved for urban areas, is now gaining popularity among rural schools in Vhembe. Thanks to the SuperSport Let’s Play programme and the dedication of passionate coaches such as Wesley Myavha, coordinator and coach of the Vhembe Hockey Association, young students are being introduced to the sport and learning to love it.

“We started this initiative in September last year after attending workshops,” said Myavha. “I was tasked with working with six schools, including Tshithuthuni, to build hockey teams. At first, many students believed hockey was a ‘white man’s sport,’ and that mindset was a big challenge. But I didn’t give up on them.”

Despite these initial setbacks, Myavha has been travelling between schools, teaching pupils the basics of hockey and encouraging them to enjoy the sport. In Vhembe, only six rural schools—Tshivhuyuni Primary, Lotsha Primary School, Muwaweni Primary School, Mulindathavha Primary, Tshithuthuni Primary, and Tshikhuthula Secondary—are currently playing hockey, but enthusiasm is growing.

Last Wednesday (25 September), the SuperSport Let’s Play programme hosted a tournament for these six teams. In the final, the girls from Mulindathavha Primary School won 4-2 against Lotsha Primary School, while the boys from Lotsha Primary School triumphed 2-1 against Muwaweni Primary School.

The tournament took place at the Tshithuthuni Primary Let’s Play Centre of Sporting Excellence, one of 15 multipurpose fields constructed by MultiChoice for deserving schools across the country.

The efforts are paying off as the winning teams from these schools are set to compete in the provincial finals in Polokwane on 5 October.

Sandile Luthuli, CSI manager for sports programmes at MultiChoice, said, “The SuperSport Let’s Play programme aims to encourage participation in sports, especially at the grassroots level. It’s the foundation of any sporting nation. As part of the Heritage Day celebrations, we’re also hosting international school festivals, and the winners will be awarded cups and medals.”

While interest in hockey is growing, schools face significant challenges. Ms Daisia Maluleke, chairperson of the Vhembe District Hockey Sports and a teacher at Tshivhuyuni Primary in Ha-Mashamba, voiced her concerns about the lack of proper facilities.

“Many of our pupils are showing great interest in hockey, but we are disadvantaged by the lack of proper fields,” she explained. “We play on soccer grounds, which are very different from a normal hockey field. If anyone can help by donating a suitable ground, we would be extremely grateful. We also struggle with the cost of equipment, which is expensive.”

Date:05 October 2024

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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