According to women’s hockey club head coach Bevan Bennett, the women’s club are adapting to a new way and have shown some exciting signs in a short space of time, since resuming to physical training. PHOTO: By Eunice Visagie/ Supplied.
Several players from the women’s Maties Hockey club have been called up for a possible chance to represent the national field hockey team.
According to Reginald Smith, the senior sports manager of the hockey club, several names have been called up for the SA U/21 selection camps, and SA senior team selection camps.
“The role of the high-performance sports club is to ensure that players are prepared for the highest level of competition. This includes ensuring that our players are equipped with the right technical and tactical skills,” said Smith.
The selection camps will happen in December and players selected will continue to train with the team until then, said Bevan Bennett, current women’s Maties Hockey head coach.
“We also have optional one-on-one small group sessions to fit into the player’s varsity schedule,” explained Bennett.
The head coach believes that the team’s constructive way forward is to focus on pre-season preparations.
The women’s club returned back to physical training on 29 September, he said.
Requirements meet expectations for players
Current Women’s Maties Hockey player Sandisiwe Tabata, has represented the senior national team before and looks forward to the selection camps in December. PHOTO: By Eunice Visagie/ Supplied.
Maties women’s hockey player, Sandisiwe Tabata, a player who was chosen to prepare for the camps, expressed that the major expectation on the selected players’ side is meeting fitness requirements.
“There’s a big expectation for us to be physically and mentally fit, and to be prepared for this major opportunity. However, I’m grateful that as a province we are able to train again,” she said.
“Having access to coaches and institutions will help maintain our fitness levels,” added Tabata.
According to current Maties hockey player Sandisiwe Tabata, as a national squad there are certain fitness requirements to be met, which are constantly assessed.
According to Tabata, no one spot is secured as of yet, which provides even more reason to improve themselves both mentally and physically.
“As a national squad, we have certain fitness requirements we have to meet each month. Building up to the camp we have to do a fitness test to measure our own progress and to see where we are,” said Tabata.