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Kovsie coach to assist Ghana hockey

21 June 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Ruan Bruwer

Braam van Wyk, hockey high-performance manager at the University of the Free State (UFS), wants to plough back whatever he can at international level.

Van Wyk has been appointed as assistant coach of the Ghana men’s hockey team. It is only a part-time appointment, as they don’t play that many matches in a year. Ghana is ranked 35th in the world.

He will assist the team in the run-up to the Africa Cup in August 2019, where they hope to perform well enough to get an opportunity to play in the Road to Tokyo qualifier for next year’s Olympic Games.

Van Wyk currently coaches the Ghana players who are based in South Africa.

“I see this as an opportunity to develop the players, but also for me as a coach to grow and to coach at international level. I am excited to try and add value. The plan is to implement it here at the UFS,” Van Wyk said.

He is also the head coach of the UFS men’s team since 2016, as well as the astro manager.

Learned a lot from coach dad

According to Van Wyk (32), who studied environmental management, he already started coaching in his first year of studies while he was still playing. He represented the UFS from 2006 to 2009.

“Between 2010 and 2015, my focus shifted to umpiring and I officiated in 19 internationals of which five involved the Protea men’s team.”

His father, also Braam, is never too far away for guidance. Braam Sr is an astute coach who stood at the helm of many teams over the years, including the Kovsie men and women. He also coached his son while he was playing for the UFS.

“While I was playing, I used to ask him a lot of questions. I learned so much from him and still approach him for advice. He has so much experience and has achieved so much.”

News Archive

Now is the right time to talk, says Njabulo

2015-04-20

Njabulo Mabaso

Studying at a multicultural campus adds a lot of colour and spice towards every student’s experience, and it also offers some necessary challenges.

This belief is held by the Qwaqwa Campus SRC member responsible for RAG, Community Service & Dialogue, Njabulo Mabaso.

“Our multi-culturalism should be our uniting force, especially at this time in our country. What started as a one-person protest against the Cecil Rhodes statue at UCT should be used to broaden our view in relation to challenges that we are still facing as students and as a country. We need to talk more”, said Mabaso, a final-year BEd FET Languages student.

“Now is the right time for us to really talk about issues affecting us as young adults. Matters of collective interest like pregnancy rates, alcohol and substance abuse, sexism, crime, xenophobia, etc. need to be tackled”, added Mabaso, a weightlifting fanatic.

“As the student leadership, we intend working closely with community structures as we come from the very same communities. We must not wait for Mandela Day to do good.”

“My portfolio, together with Arts and Culture and Sports Affairs portfolios, can create that necessary social cohesion that we as students and our communities need so much.”

Mabaso said that all perceived taboos should be dealt with.

“Our programme this year encourages open dialogue. Nothing should still be treated as a ‘no-go area’ if we are to survive the scourge of HIV. We must talk openly, despite the cultural challenges that might restrict us. We must talk about homophobia. We must talk about rape. In fact, how many students – male and female – really understand what rape is? Does culture even recognise the ‘no’ factor associated with rape? It is important that we should not leave it until it is too late. We must not wait until it is his word against hers. We must deal with these matters now. The right time to engage is now”, he added.

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