The SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge has introduced an innovative Adopt-a-School initiative as part of its efforts to develop players at less-resourced institutions. This new programme aims to uncover hidden hockey talents and provide support to schools with limited resources.
One of the schools making use of this new platform is Knysna High, which recently hosted a regional leg of the tournament. With the Adopt-a-School programme, Knysna High has chosen to support Chris Nissen Primary, a school facing challenges in terms of facilities and equipment for their newly introduced hockey sports code.
According to the sports coordinator of Knysna High, Sanette Milachowski, the school plans to provide support by purchasing necessary equipment such as sticks, balls, bibs, and beacons for Chris Nissen Primary. The first-team hockey girls from Knysna High will also take on the role of mentors for the boys’ team at Chris Nissen Primary, creating a unique and empowering partnership.
The vision behind the Adopt-a-School initiative, as shared by Les Galloway, the national director of the Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge, is to identify and nurture talent in schools from less-resourced communities. By reaching out to these schools, the programme aims to cast a wider net to unearth potential future stars in the sport of hockey.
SPAR’s sponsorship of the tournament has also been directed towards supporting the Adopt-a-School initiative. Rather than solely benefiting the host school, the sponsorship funds are now being used to invest in less-privileged schools with the potential for hockey growth.
The ultimate goal of the Adopt-a-School initiative is to provide opportunities for every institution offering the sport of hockey, regardless of their financial resources. This inclusive approach aims to develop players and equip them to compete at a high level, such as at the Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge tournaments.
The challenge itself features 45 schools from different regions, with the regional winners set to compete in the grand finale at Victoria Park High in Gqeberha. The initiative has not only received support from schools and sponsors, but has also garnered attention from the advertising manager of SPAR Eastern Cape, Roseann Shadrach. She emphasized the impact of the development programme in the lives of the youngsters involved and highlighted the potential for these players to compete at a high level in the future.
The Adopt-a-School programme not only aims to develop talented hockey players, but also to provide a platform for mentoring and growth. With proper support and guidance, players from less-privileged schools could find themselves excelling at provincial and international levels in the sport of hockey. This initiative sets the stage for a bright future for hockey in South Africa, creating opportunities for young talents to shine on a national and potentially international stage.