LIFESTYLE - FROM coaching primary school hockey in Durban, Kovin Moodley has now entered the international arena.
The Bermuda Hockey Federation recently announced Moodley as the new coach of its the national men’s and women’s teams.
The 30-year-old will lead the teams in the Central American and Caribbean Games qualifier tournaments in Bermuda over the Easter weekend.
“I am a technical hockey director for Sportways, which is the biggest and oldest hockey coaching organisation in the world. I’ve had the privilege of being part of their programme and the opportunity to apply for the Bermuda hockey position came through their network,” said Moodley.
Originally from Greenwood Park, Moodley said he was exposed to various sports while growing up, but hockey became his favourite. He matriculated from Northwood Boys’ High School.
“I was a KZN hockey player from under 13 to under 16. I currently still play hockey. I am a provincial hockey player for Northwood Crusaders' Men’s First XI.”
Moodley is not new to international experience as he lived in Delhi, India, in 2006 where he enrolled at the American Embassy International School to further his high school studies.
“I then attended the University at Exeter in the South West of England in 2010 for a year before continuing my studies through the Health and Fitness Professionals Academy (HFPA) in 2012, and University of South Africa (Unisa) from 2014 to 2018. I studied applied psychology and have a diploma in sport and exercise science.”
Since then, Moodley has served as an International Hockey Federation (FIH) Level 2 hockey coach and a technical director for SportWays.
Alongside coaching, Moodley runs a mental skills and performance company called Sport Performance, which he started five years ago.
“I've invested in trying to understand how we can achieve peak performance in sport. My focus has been the mental side of the game which has also been in the spotlight quite a lot recently.”
In 2016, Moodley joined Penzance Primary School in Glenwood as the Director of Sport there, where he runs the internal and external sports programme. He also coaches the grade 1 to 7 hockey teams. Moodley said he’s taken leave from the school for his new role.
He said he was excited to take this new journey.
“This opportunity is part of my journey. I’ve always been passionate about sports and helping athletes grow and develop. I am grateful for the opportunity to do that in Bermuda and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Hennie Havemann, the principal at Penzance Primary, said since Moodley started at their school their sports programme had grown. He said the school was proud of Moodley.
“He has a good relationship with the children. As a coach, he is strict because he wants them to do their best. The children learn so much from him.”
He said he would like for Moodley to return to coach the school team because he was one of the best coaches.
“... But for his future, I hope he goes on, becomes better and one day becomes a national coach for one of the biggest hockey countries in the world.”
POST