adminChipo Sabeta
After an extended period of planning, playing, coaching and volunteering training, Zimbabwe senior men hockey team captain Tendayi Maredza has fulfilled his dream of opening a Hockey Academy.
Named Reds Academy and running under the theme “Learn from the best to be the best”, Maredza’s main vision is to address the development of the sport to match international standards, spreading the elite sport to high density suburbs and stir interest from grassroots level.
Maredza, who also doubles as Zimbabwe Junior Girls Hockey coach, said the academy is aimed at empowering individuals through sports training programmes and to uplift communities.
On what inspired him to start the hockey academy, Maredza said:
“It’s mere passion and the need to fill the gap, doing the right thing to develop our game.
“I have been planning about the academy since last year after I attended the U-21 Would Cup where I was the assistant coach. I saw the need for the academy to grow the hockey sport after watching other countries play at the top level. I felt the need to match and compete at international level.”
“We don’t play hockey the whole year in Zimbabwe, we only start preparing for big events three months or less before. It will be open to persons aged 8-21 both boys and girls who want to play hockey throughout the year while juggling it around hectic school and work schedules,” he added.
Maredza, a former cricketer, is officially ready to welcome their first players into the fold promising them top notch coaching from elite hockey coaches in the country.
“There is exposure for top quality and experienced coaches because we have elite coaches to help us. Our kids are not exposed to full time hockey and training at the academy will be running for a full year. Coaches will be coming on both part time and full time basis.”
Maredza is looking forward to developing hockey and spread it to high density areas starting with Highfield, as a way of giving back to the community.
He has no doubt that with the passion and enthusiasm from the hockey family, the academy will grow throughout the country, impacting hundreds of players, families and clubs.
“There is going to be two parts of the academy. The elite part of game will include registering of players, specific training sessions, and match practices among other things.
“And there is going to be the developmental part which we will take to high density suburbs where hockey has never been played. I started playing cricket in Highfield because of a developmental programme through Zimbabwe Cricket. We will have several sessions meant to empower youngsters.
“We will conduct weekly training and matches will be played as we encourage an active social life, in an environment that understands childcare issues,” Maredza said.
He expressed delight around this exciting new academy saying it is hugely exciting and another great step exhibiting hockey’s inclusivity.
“I am extremely proud that we will be allowing hockey to become accessible to everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing it take off as we plan for the official launch next month.”
“Growing up, certain people sacrificed their time to mould me to become who I am today in sport. A big shout out to these people — Lazarus Matore, Collen Masiya, Amos Chihera, Hilton Toro, Amos Maungwa, my parents and all who helped me in my journey. I have achieved a lot in hockey and it’s time for me to give back and create top level hockey players that will compete at the highest level in the world,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu