Provincial Hockey

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 August 2011 18:40 Written by Administrator Monday, 22 August 2011 20:52

MATABELELAND HOCKEY BOARD

PO BOX FM 682 TELEPHONE ++ (263-9)

FAMONA E-MAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BULAWAYO OFFICE Khumalo Hockey Stadium

The game of Hockey has its Zimbabwe origins in Bulawayo, the City of the Kings, when the first hockey game ever played took place in a dusty clearing in 1900. After a short lapse, the game was firmly established by 1906. The Matabeleland Hockey Board was established in 1922. In 1985 the men’s and women’s provincial boards merged into one administration. In 1995 the Khumalo Hockey Stadium was built, and the Matabeleland Hockey Board (MHB) established its headquarters here shortly afterwards. The province, which runs from the mighty Zambezi in the north to the great Limpopo River in the south, encompasses the two administrative provinces of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.

The playing colours of the MHB are navy blue and white, with the second team playing in sky blue. Whilst navy blue has always been the colour of the province since 1922, the present colour scheme represents both Matabeleland Provinces. The logo is a sable head above crossed sticks. Since the year 2000, the Provincial Sponsor has been the SPAR franchise.

Today Matabeleland can truly lay claim to being the heart of Zimbabwe’s hockey, making significant contributions to administration, national teams, national umpires and through hosting regular high quality tournaments at the Khumalo Hockey Stadium. The men’s team have consistently been National Provincial Champions since 1994 (eight consecutive years, which included victories against the national team in 1995!), whilst the women’s team won the inter-provincials in 2000 and 2001.

DEVELOPMENT

The MHB has a comprehensive development programme that caters for children from the ages of 4 to 21, whilst masters and veterans hockey remains popular. The development programmes are summarised as follows –

4-10 years Mini Hockey

U/12 Weekly league

U/14 Weekly league

U/16 Alpha School of Hockey

U/18 Alpha School of Hockey

School Holiday Camps are held each year, and a number of courses aimed at various levels, are run for teachers and coaches alike.

In 2001, the local university (National University for Science and Technology) established hockey and participated in the province’s pre-season Action Hockey League for the first time.

Despite vigorous sponsorship, the province is always short of funds and equipment to further the game and support the players, but this shortage of equipment in no way hinders the various initiatives that the board has launched, historically unaided by the National body. In 2001, the Board in conjunction with the HAZ, administered the FIH sponsored Development Programme.

THE KHUMALO HOCKEY STADIUM

The Khumalo Hockey Stadium (KHS) is named after the Ndebele Royal Family, and was built in 1994 to host the Women’s Hockey Tournament of the 6^th Africa Games. It was opened in 1995 by His Excellency, The President of Zimbabwe, RG Mugabe. The facility boasts two water based pitches, FIH standard flood lighting, broadcasting facilities, first aid rooms, hospitality lounges (including the Sable Room) and full player and official changing facilities. The stadium is set amongst well-maintained landscaped gardens, and is now the headquarters of the Matabeleland Hockey Board, as well as the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe Office (Western Region). Since 1999 it has been the headquarters of the Africa Hockey Federation. The KHS has played host to –

The Africa Games (Women) 1995

The Africa Cup of Nations (Men) 2000

The Africa Cup for Club Champions (Men and Women) 1996 & 1999

Numerous visiting international teams

The HAZ Cup (played annually, the venue alternates between Harare and Bulawayo)

The annual Zimbabwe Interprovincials (at all ages)

The HAZ Centenary Tournament

In 2005 the stadium was closed as the turf deteriorated beyond acceptable safety levels. However, a new field is to be laid in 2011 to host the African Olympic Qualifier. The new fields will consume 25% of the water required previously, and will return the facility to being not only the best in Zimbabwe, the finest in Africa, but amongst the top facility world-wide.

OPPORTUNITIES

The MHB actively encourages foreign players and coaches to play for local clubs. The board believes that this will promote the game and raise standards. At the same time, the MHB awards grants to players to travel and play abroad. The MHB is the only province in Zimbabwe to pursue these strategies.

The MHB has forged links with its South African provincial neighbour, the Northern Blues Hockey Association (headquartered in Pretoria, SA) and is establishing formal links with Leinster Hockey Association, (Dublin, Eire).

Players and coaches interested in sharing in the activities of this exciting hockey province should contact the Administrator.

ADMINISTRATION

President - Richard Kendall-Ball

Vice President - Jopie Coomans

Secretary - Jo Conolly

Senior Schools Liaison - Chris Davison

Junior Schools Liaison - Nicola Taylor

Member - Stewart Muchwete

Member - Eddie Tholanah

Member - Michael McKillop

Administrator J Watson

CLUBS

Bulawayo Athletics Club

Bulawayo Sports Club

NUST Hockey Club

Queens Sports Club

Shabanie Mine Hockey Club *

Gweru Sports Club *

(* whilst members of the Midlands Hockey Board, these teams participate in the Matabeleland League)

IMMEDIATE PAST EVENTS AND RESULTS

2010 April Matabeleland Men; South African Indoor Tournament

2010 12 - 15 August Interprovincial Hockey Tournament

FUTURE EVENTS

2011 February Indoor Hockey League starts

Every Friday evening

Bulawayo Athletic Club

Contact your club for more information.

2012 February Annual General Meeting

Khumalo Hockey Stadium

2011 May Indoor “Winter” Hockey League starts

Every Monday evening

Bulawayo Athletic Club

Contact your club for more information.

2011 8-11 August Interprovincial Hockey Tournament

Khumalo Hockey Stadium

26-28 August Southern African Three Nations Tournament

(U/14, U/16, U/18 and open; men and women)

Khumalo Hockey Stadium and Bulawayo Athletic Club

2-11 September Africa Olympic Qualifier

Khumalo Hockey Stadium

9 September Congress, Africa Hockey Federation

Bulawayo

MISSION STATEMENT

The Matabeleland Hockey Board is committed to upholding the

broadest values of sportsmanship within the game of hockey, to

continually expand and improve upon our player base, facilities,

coaching opportunities, umpiring and administration, at all levels,

and ensure the development of a family game so as to provide for

the : - enjoyment of our players,

: - entertainment for our supporters, and

: - value for our sponsors.