Road to Tokyo Olympics: SA men's hockey crowdfunding campaign

Having qualified for the re-scheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the SA men’s hockey team were required to launch their own crowdfunding campaign, in partnership with Matchkit.co, not only to increase the recognition of their brand, but to ensure that they had access to sufficient funding for their preparations and attendance at the games, without the players having to be personally responsible for paying their own costs.

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The team, which is currently ranked 14th in the world and is fully transformed, with 50% black team members at playing level and 60% black representatives at management level, have always acquitted themselves to the highest level against some of the best hockey playing nations, which benefit tremendously from an abundance of resources, including financial backing, as well as players and staff who are full-time professionals, and thus able to focus solely on their sport.

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Sky Tshabalala had the pleasure of talking to the coach Garreth Ewing.

Thankfully, the team has received a much-needed commercial boost through its partnership with the award-winning web-based platform, Matchkit.co, which has allowed them to launch a crowdfunding initiative, and thus given their cause the visibility it deserves. Matchkit.co seamlessly allows athletes to consolidate their existing social media accounts and connect with fans and sponsors, thereby allowing them to enhance their level of engagement, and thus better sustain themselves throughout their sporting careers through creating and monetising a brand for themselves. 

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Matchkit.co is a platform which is also used by Durbanite and professional bodyboarder, Ian Campbell.

While there is no doubt that the team have put in the necessary hard work to secure their participation in Tokyo, with many of the players juggling the challenges of full-time employment whilst also representing their country on the international stage, their ability to raise finds has so far been limited. The team are, however, remaining positive, and there is a lot of excitement in their training camp as they prepare to represent South Africa at the pinnacle of their sport. Hopefully, with your support, these outstanding young men will have the opportunity without having to carry their own costs in doing so.

Find them on their social media pages: 

Instagram: @sa_hockey_man

Twitter: @SA_Mens_Hockey

For more of the best Darren, Keri, and Sky moments, listen here: