A jolly Summer League in autumn

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KNYSNA HOCKEY NEWS - For the first time ever, Knysna Old Oaks Hockey Club's annual Summer League is taking place in autumn, and the games kicked off with great joy on Wednesday 7 April at the Oakhill Sports Campus (OSC).

The Summer League is typically held annually in the months of February and March as a means for Old Oaks to get its players back into the thick of things ahead of the hockey season, while also providing a means for potential players to introduce themselves to the club.

Last year, the Summer League was cut a week short, with the last few games cancelled due to the Coronavirus.

The pandemic ended up having a longer effect than what was anticipated, with structured hockey remaining on hold for a year before resumption last month.

Photo gallery: Summer League.... in Autumn

While the aim for the Summer League to be a gateway to club hockey has remained, and the friendly aspect of the Summer League still at play too, it is this year not a means for club players to shake off the rust from the year-long break.

Mike Hazel (left) carries the ball forward, past Mechake Fanelo (right), just before scoring a goal for his side.

Instead, Old Oaks resumed practices every Tuesday and Thursday on 16 March under strict Covid-19 protocols, so most players have oiled their joints already.

Typically the league has 10 teams taking part, but this year that number is seven, as a means to further enforce a safe playing environment for the players.

Because practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Summer League games are now played on Mondays and Wednesdays at 17:30, and Saturdays at 14:30 and 15:30, with no spectators allowed. The third day was added to compensate for the loss of the usual late games due to days being shorter in April than in February.

Even though results and scores are recorded, no log positions are put together, in order to further drive home the idea of the league being held and played in a friendly manner.

Having seen a week of action already, the Summer League will run for a further three weeks, wrapping up on Monday 3 May, just in time for the scheduled start of the league on 8 May.

Ozzy Kent watches as Donné de Wet and Keon Robertson challenge each other for the ball.
Photos: Blake Linder