A special opportunity for coaches and players to learn from “The Goalie Guru”
Young South African hockey goalkeepers have an opportunity to train under a man regarded by many as the best keepers’ coach in the world today. Martin Drijver, known as “The Goalie Guru” will be heading up a camp at Hilton College from the 6th to the 8th of December.
Coaches, especially, are bring targeted and are being offered a special discounted rate to enable them to learn from the best. Outfielders, too, will also be able to sign up for top class coaching.
Drijver is a full-time goalkeeping coach and runs The Drijver Goalie Academy in The Netherlands. He has also trained net-minders all around the world, including in The Netherlands, Spain, India, and Malaysia, among others.
South African standouts, Rassie Pieterse and Sanani Mangisa, who both enjoyed long international careers as two of the best in the game, benefitted from Drijver’s coaching and knowledge.
Goalies that have received tutelage from the Dutch ace have appeared in seven Olympic Games, including Great Britain legend Maddie Hinch who, in a legendary performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, saved all four Dutch attempts in a penalty shootout to secure the gold medal for her team.
As a goalkeepers’ trainer, Drijver has been involved in an incredible four Olympic Games, 10 EuroHockey Nations Championships, six World Cups, 11 Champions Trophies and one FIH Pro League.
He played for The Netherlands in all of their junior national teams and helped the Dutch win a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup in 1979. His father, Han, played in two Olympic Games.
At the Hilton camp, Drijver will be assisted by Chaka Ngubane, who has 12 years of experience tutoring goalies to his name. His current work includes coaching goalkeepers at Hilton College, St John’s DSG, Michaelhouse, St Anne’s and Maritzburg College.
While at school, Ngubane earned national colours at the under-16 and under-17 levels. He has since coached seven goalkeepers who have made South African Schools.
The latest is Maritzburg College’s Nick Holmes, who will be jetting off to Malaysia with the national under-17 side, for the Mirnawan Cup, which takes place from 18-26 November.
Outfielders
The coaching for outfielders will be led by Hilton College’s 1st team coach, former South African international Damian Kimfley, a South African Hockey Association (SAHA) and International Hockey Federation (FIH) level 3 coach.
Kimfley is also the head coach of the KZN Inland u18A team and assistant coach of the KZN Raiders. Under his guidance, the Hilton 1st XI finished 2023 ranked second in the country. In 2022, his side was ranked number one.
Besides coaches, the camp is open to hockey players of all levels and caters to boys and girls from the ages of 10 to 18, with accommodation available either on or off the beautiful Hilton College campus during the event. Meals are offered with either option.
Coaches, especially, are being encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity, with the exceptional discounted rates.
Coaches’ cost: R1 990 on campus, R1 490 off campus.
Players’ cost: R2 790 on campus, R2 290 off campus.
To secure a place, please click on the link –
