Financial problems mount for KZN Schools Hockey players ahead of national tournament
KZN schools hockey desperate to find financial solutions.
The Durban schools hockey is left wondering how some of their athletes will be able to pay for Inter-provincial National tournament (IPT).
This year U18/U16 National tournament will be held in Stellenbosch between the 25 June - 1 July, deadline for payments had been set for the 10th of June. Normally with this kind of provincial schools tournament, the players would be made aware long ago as it's one of those tournaments that player look forward too.
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However, Covid-19 has derailed all plans of that and it's the first time in two years that the tournament is able to go on. Due to the pressure of the tournament being far as well as other economical challenges that have hit not only Kwa-Zulu Natal but all other provinces.
Carla van Niekerk is part of the KZN Schools Hockey and she speaks about how hockey is a self-funded sport which hurts the boys opportunities.
Hockey is considered as a sport that is really not fully much supported in South Africa. If you look at other sports like rugby, cricket or even netball there is a strong financial backing attached to it.
Durban High School (DHS), have created a back-a-buddy financial project where they hope to raise funds for boys who can't raise enough money to pay for tours. The hockey coach at DHS Michael Baker, is the one who is responsible for creating- this initiative.
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The message behind the project is to create a way for the kids at DHS to represent the province without having to worry about paying such high fees. Michael as a coach for KZN Coastals provincial U18, understands the stress and anxiety it could be not just for the boys but for the families too.
"It's costing R11 500 to attend IPT and represent our province. For some of our boys, it does mean many of them won't be able to attend as this cost would be a burden on their families", said Michael.
This has been a growing trend in South Africa as hockey as well as other sports not seen as professional having to rely on players/athletes to pay massive amounts of money to go on tours.
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With senior major tournaments like the Women's Hockey World Cup later this year and Team SA Commonwealth Games hockey tour still to happen over the course of next few months. These atheletes also need to raise funds to represent the country as the sport is self funded.
