Astroturf boost for coastal hockey league
Game to reach new heights
Hockey enthusiasts in Walvis Bay have the opportunity to perform after a new turf was built at the town.
The new Melvyn van Rooyen astro hockey turf at Walvis Bay Private School (WBPS) will increase competitive levels and ensure that the game reaches new heights at the coast.
The construction amounted to N$6.5 million and will not only be utilised by WBPS, but by other schools and hockey clubs as well.
Staying true to this pledge, the school recently hosted the first outdoor hockey league games on the astroturf in the harbour town.
According to Estelle de Beer of Sparta Club, the new turf means a lot to hockey lovers and players.
“We have a lot of talent at the coast and with the astroturf, we can become more competitive. It means quite a great deal for us at Sparta. Our grass field is currently out of order. The schools were busy with their league, and we had no other alternative but to travel to Swakopmund for training. We are grateful to Pro-Ed Academy, who always helps us when we require training space.”
Greater heights
De Beer added that the turf will ensure that the overall quality of hockey will improve tremendously.
“We can now host international matches in our hometown or Swakopmund. I understand that Pro-Ed Academy is also currently building their own astroturf.
“There are talks that another school at the coast might build a third. This will push the sport to reach greater heights.”
Coastal hockey clubs said they are grateful that the turf has been made available for games.
“This means we can play local matches as well. Because of financial implications, we withdrew from the field league last year because it would cost us approximately N$50 000 to travel and play all the matches in Windhoek.
“The Namibia Hockey Union required all matches to be played on astro and we simply did not have the money or the field to do so. The Windhoek teams were, unfortunately, not always supporters of our ground field. Fortunately, that is now something of the past. We are appreciative and look forward to what the future holds for the sport.”
The construction amounted to N$6.5 million and will not only be utilised by WBPS, but by other schools and hockey clubs as well.
Staying true to this pledge, the school recently hosted the first outdoor hockey league games on the astroturf in the harbour town.
According to Estelle de Beer of Sparta Club, the new turf means a lot to hockey lovers and players.
“We have a lot of talent at the coast and with the astroturf, we can become more competitive. It means quite a great deal for us at Sparta. Our grass field is currently out of order. The schools were busy with their league, and we had no other alternative but to travel to Swakopmund for training. We are grateful to Pro-Ed Academy, who always helps us when we require training space.”
Greater heights
De Beer added that the turf will ensure that the overall quality of hockey will improve tremendously.
“We can now host international matches in our hometown or Swakopmund. I understand that Pro-Ed Academy is also currently building their own astroturf.
“There are talks that another school at the coast might build a third. This will push the sport to reach greater heights.”
Coastal hockey clubs said they are grateful that the turf has been made available for games.
“This means we can play local matches as well. Because of financial implications, we withdrew from the field league last year because it would cost us approximately N$50 000 to travel and play all the matches in Windhoek.
“The Namibia Hockey Union required all matches to be played on astro and we simply did not have the money or the field to do so. The Windhoek teams were, unfortunately, not always supporters of our ground field. Fortunately, that is now something of the past. We are appreciative and look forward to what the future holds for the sport.”
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