Mahikeng Campus
Field hockey, or just hockey, is an outdoor game played by two opposing teams of 11 players each who use sticks curved at the striking end to hit a small, hard ball into their opponent’s goal. It is called field hockey to distinguish it from the similar game played on ice. Hockey is believed to date from the earliest civilisations. The Arabs, Greeks, Persians, and Romans each had their own version, and traces have been found of a stick game played by the Aztec Indians of South America. The name hockey is thought to have originated from the French word “hocquet”, meaning a crooked stick or shepherd’s crook.
Playing hockey helps to develop essential social skills like teamwork, communication and individual persistence, but it is also an enjoyable activity that builds up speed, hand-eye coordination and cardiovascular performance.
The NWU Mahikeng hockey team has done quite well over the years. In 2012, the men’s team achieved third place in the USSA competition, in 2014 the team achieved a second place in the USSA competition, and in 2018 three players were selected for the CD North West team. In 2019, one player was selected for the CD North West team.
Contact details:
Potchefstroom Campus
NWU Hockey Potchefstroom facilities boast two world-class synthetic hockey fields featuring the internationally acclaimed GreenFields TX Elite EL 15 playing surface. Recognised among the finest hockey facilities in South Africa, these fields have hosted numerous international matches, tournaments, and high-performance events.
Both fields are equipped with international-standard floodlighting supplied by BEKA Schréder, delivering an exceptional 1000 lux lighting level to ensure optimal visibility for training, competition, and televised events.
Designed to serve a wide range of users, the facilities provide a professional environment for the local community, residence sport, junior development, and the elite NWU Hockey High-Performance programme. The NWU Potchefstroom Hockey Fields continue to play a key role in developing top-level hockey while offering an outstanding sporting experience for players and spectators alike.
Shaun Hulley
Sports Manager: Hockey
018 299 2056
Vanderbijlpark Campus
Sune van der Linde - 082-815-0264