The sound of machinery and the dust in the air will soon go away as the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark Campus prepares to unveil its newly constructed astro hockey field. This state-of-the-art turf signals a new era for NWU Hockey and is set to transform the institution’s sporting landscape.
Developed as part of the university’s’ ongoing commitment to the holistic development of its students, the new pitch is expected to raise the standard of competitive hockey on campus while strengthening the NWUs’ edge in university sports.
Mr. Karabo Mokoka, Senior Manager for Competitive Sport, described the completion of the astro turf as a significant milestone in the institution’s broader development agenda.
“This is a strategic investment in the growth, competitiveness and visibility of hockey within the campus sporting ecosystem,” he said. “Having our own Astro turf will enhance athlete preparation, performance, and the overall standard of hockey. The facility will strengthen the institutional capacity of the Vanderbijlpark Campus to develop talent and expand athlete participation.”
“With the new turf, we are well placed to attract talented student-athletes, expand our hockey programme, and introduce development pathways for emerging players from surrounding schools and communities. It will also create opportunities for meaningful community engagement and partnerships with local stakeholders,” Mokoka added.
The turf will also enable the institution to host high-level fixtures, intercampus tournaments, and potential regional competitions.
Claudette Nepgen, the Hockey Head Coach at Vanderbijlpark Campus, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that access to a high-performance playing surface would significantly improve training and match preparation quality.
“A premium surface allows players to train and compete in conditions that are closer to those experienced in top-level hockey,” she said. “This improves the speed of play, technical skills, and game awareness. It also creates a more professional environment in which players can consistently develop their abilities and prepare more effectively for league competition.”
Nepgen added that the new facility will allow the coaching staff to increase the training schedule and expand the programme to include more structured skills clinics and development sessions.
“This creates for more opportunities for players to grow, deepen their understanding of the game and hone their individual skills. The benefits will be felt at every level of our programme.”
As the facility undergoes its final preparations, the development makes a bold statement about the Vanderbijlpark Campus’s intentions. It signifies growth, ambition, and a sustained commitment to creating an environment in which student athletes can flourish academically and athletically.
