South Africa’s Nati player is now chasing goals with Brunner’s stick

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

For the South African ice hockey association, the Easter bunny must be Swiss. Because on Maundy Thursday, a container with discarded hockey equipment arrived in Cape Town from Switzerland. Nigel Stanley, who lives in Zug and is married to a South African, had orchestrated this collection. Clubs like Zug, Biel, Ambri and Biasca and their staff helped. But also numerous parents and children who donated hockey gear that was too small.

“I am blown away, especially by the quality of the material,” says South African national coach Björn Kinding (65), who once trained EVZ, Biel, Herisau and the EVZ Academy in Switzerland. The items were first loaded onto a truck, but are now stored in the garage of Association President Jason Cerff, sorted and categorized before being handed out. In addition to Cerff and Kinding, there were plenty of helpers and three national players and one national player on this big day for South African ice hockey.

National coach in South Africa: The great adventure of former EVZ coach Kinding

Finally direct acceptance in training

“The adult gear mainly goes to the different national teams, the kids gear to where beginners are trained and the training jerseys to the clubs,” says Kinding. As a national coach, he is sometimes happy with the many sticks, “because we can now train with a different intensity.” So far, for instance, he hasn’t been allowed to practice sharp direct picks – for fear that what few sticks the players have will break.

“The players are also incredibly proud of equipment that once belonged to professionals,” Kinding said. Nati defender Deen Magmoed (32) immediately grabbed a stick that came from the range of Biel star attacker Damien Brunner (37) last year. “Maybe he’ll score a goal with Brunner’s stick at the World Cup,” says Kinding with a smile. Nati striker Wesley Krotz (27) has now stocked up on new knee pads. He wore his for 14 years. “These are the best Easter days of my life,” says the Cape Town Kings man.

The World Cup at home is just around the corner

From April 17 to 23, Cape Town, South Africa will compete for the home World Championship in Division III, Group A. The sixth highest of eight strength classes at the IIHF World Championships. The opponents are Turkmenistan, Taiwan, Luxembourg and Thailand. “We are all very happy. The World Cup preparation camp starts on Wednesday and the following Monday.”

Source : Blick