{"id":95809,"date":"2015-08-01T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/95809\/womens-hockey-on-the-rise\/"},"modified":"2015-07-31T15:15:07","modified_gmt":"2015-07-31T13:15:07","slug":"womens-hockey-on-the-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2015\/08\/01\/womens-hockey-on-the-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s hockey on the rise"},"content":{"rendered":"

The launch of the Investec Hockey Academy<\/a>, earlier this year, promises to welcome a new era in women\u2019s hockey in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Founded on the phenomenal success of the Investec International Rugby Academy which, to date, has made a valuable contribution to the game, the Investec Hockey Academy aims to offer a comprehensive platform, through professional support in the development of young players.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

The next set of courses will take place on August 11 and 12, at St Mary\u2019s School, in Waverley, Johannesburg.<\/p>\n

The academy will bring together greats from the hockey arena, together with young players from schools all over South Africa, to coach and share knowledge of their experience in the professional field.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

Two Germiston schools, St Catherine\u2019s School<\/a> and Assumption Convent School<\/a>, has girls who will be attending the courses.<\/p>\n

General manager of Investec Hockey Academy and current SA women\u2019s hockey player Shelley Russell will be joined by an impressive line-up of coaches and players, including a number of former World Cup, Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and All Africa Games players.<\/p>\n

Participants can look forward to working closely with World Cup player Tsoanelo Pholo (indoor and field hockey), and international player Miguel de Grasa (84 caps for South Africa), just to mention a few.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to give young, aspiring hockey stars a glimpse of what is required to fine-tune their skills and abilities,\u201d said Russell.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Investec Hockey Academy is a platform where passionate hockey players can learn and improve their skills by being exposed to top-level coaching personnel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope to create an environment where young players can grow their games.\u201d<\/p>\n

The academy aims to provide the best coaching available, with the focus being young women.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope to identify and nurture talent from a young age and to build a platform on which aspirations can take root and grow,\u201d explained Russell.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can do this in an environment in which girls are motivated and enjoy their hockey, so much the better.<\/p>\n

\u201cA larger pool of talented, motivated hockey players can only benefit our national infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The courses aim to address the physical and mental skills a hockey player needs in order to shape their skills and abilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe courses we offer work on creating a dynamic, well-rounded athlete,” Russell said.<\/p>\n

”Very important aspects, such as mental toughness, functional ability, vision training, fitness, nutrition, recovery techniques, video analysis and athlete education in general are addressed at the academy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese aspects are vital in one\u2019s sporting development.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t