SILVER STARS HOCKEY CLUBCA

Silver Stars hockey club aims to attract children away from the undesirable and criminal elements that are associated with living in Diepsloot, through playing the wonderful game of hockey.

Playing hockey provides much needed exercise for the children, teaches them life skills and gives them a sense of belonging and an identity with the club.

Silver Malele, an unemployed resident of Diepsloot, located on the northern outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa started coaching hockey in 2001 on a dusty gravel Diepsloot road, in pursuit of his lifelong dream.  It started with 6 children aged between 7 and 11.  Gradually more children attended as they realised there was an opportunity for them to meet new friends and to learn about and play hockey.  Silver Stars Hockey Club was born!
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Fueled by the children’s enthusiasm, Silver has since and still volunteers onto several coaching learnership programs to ensure that he provides the children with adequate stimulation and knowledge, both on the hockey field and for daily life.
 
There are currently around 150 children attending the Silver Stars hockey club training sessions.  Their ages range from 6 through to 18.  The children’s level of hockey continues to improve and they are a club to keep on watching. There has been resounding success not only in the growth in numbers, but also in terms of skill and playing capabilities.  The children have always practiced on a patch of gravel ground at home in Diepsloot and play on grass and astro turf against teams who have far more exposure to these surfaces.  Their sucesses and achievements are inspiring considering these differences. 

​Coach Silver says: "It is our dream that each child be given a chance to take part in sport.  Significant changes in the children can be seen when they are part of a team. They come from different areas in Diepsloot to take part in the training sessions but when they are together as Silver Stars they have the opportunity to make new friends and support each other.  Playing in tournaments gets them away from all the cruel things that just traumatise and stress them.  This is what we want to see".  

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