The Pandas Hockey Club was founded to bring the exciting sport of field hockey to children from underserved communities.
Field hockey is one of South Africa’s growing internationally competitive sports and a popular one for school and university participants. Katleho Bontle Motingoe has loved the sport her whole life and is now working to get it onto the fields in underserved communities.
The Pandas Hockey Club is being run as a community-driven initiative. The club is being used to foster sports development and leadership skills within township areas. We got a chance to chat with Katleho Bontle Motingoe about the inspiration behind the club, and what the hope is for its future. As a hockey player herself, she has a personal experience with the positive impact it can have on young lives.
“The inspiration behind launching the Pandas Hockey Club was a strong belief in the transformative power of sports, particularly field hockey, as a means of fostering personal growth, community engagement, and skill development.
The founders recognized a need within underserved communities, such as Kasis’, for access to quality sports programs and facilities. They aimed to provide an avenue for youth in these areas to excel in a sport that teaches discipline, teamwork, and determination, while also creating opportunities for personal development and socio-economic growth.”
The club has led to the establishment of the “Kasi Field Hockey Development Project” which aims to revolutionise the field hockey landscape in South Africa by introducing the sport to underserved communities, specifically focusing on “kasis’”. This initiative seeks to break down barriers and create a sustainable pathway for young talent to flourish in the field of field hockey.
The Pandas Hockey Club is leading the way for this new project and has already started to get involved with the community. Katleho Bontle Motingoe, thanks to the support of Play It Forward Jozi, has started collecting hockey kits and equipment needed to stock a club.
“Pandas Hockey Club is primarily focused on youth from underserved communities, regardless of their age and gender. While the exact age range may vary depending on the specific programs and initiatives we offer, the overarching goal is to provide opportunities for as many young people as possible to engage with field hockey.
By promoting inclusivity and diversity, the initiative aims to empower both boys and girls, with a focus on breaking down barriers and stereotypes associated with gender in sports.”
This is only the beginning! The club has a way to go but the future is bright and with community involvement and outside support, it is possible that hockey will become a beloved sport in underserved communities as well!
“The hope for the Pandas Hockey Club is to create a thriving field hockey ecosystem within Kasis’, fostering talent, promoting diversity, and enabling socio-economic development. The club envisions a future where the youth in underserved communities have access to high-quality coaching, mentorship, and facilities, allowing them to excel in field hockey and life. Ultimately, the club’s aspiration is to provide a platform where dreams are nurtured, talents are honed, and individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential, breaking the cycle of limited opportunities often faced by youth in underserved areas.”
If you would like to know more about this new club or wish to get involved, you can email for more information here. You can also follow along on Facebook here.
Originally published by GOODTHINGSGUY
