New trend emerging in High Schools qualified for National Hockey School games
Reading Time: 5min | Sat. 22.03.25. | 12:17
With continued investment and structured player development, the future of Kenyan school hockey looks brighter than ever
As the stage is set for the 2025 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One National Games, a pattern of dominance has emerged among certain schools in hockey.
Several teams have consistently qualified for the national championships, with Coast Region champions St. Charles Lwanga, Changamwe securing their third consecutive appearance in both the boys' and girls' categories.
Western Region champions and national defending champions Musingu High School, along with Nyanza Region champions Ringa Boys, have each qualified for the nationals for the second time in a row.
This sustained success can be attributed to high school players competing in structured leagues such as the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Leagues and County Hockey Leagues, providing them with crucial experience and exposure.
St. Charles Lwanga boasts an impressive 17 boys playing in the Mombasa West Hockey Club, which competes in the KHU Men’s National League. The school also participates in the Mombasa County Hockey Association Coast League for both the boys' and girls' teams.
According to head coach Julius Masero, playing in these leagues has significantly elevated his players' confidence and fitness levels.
“When players are involved in the league, they gain experience and confidence, making it easier to compete against their peers in school competitions,” Masero said.
“The league also boosts their fitness, and in the Coast Hockey League, experienced players nurture the younger ones by offering advice and correcting their mistakes.”
In terms of tactical improvements, Masero highlighted how his team has adopted set pieces from opponents in the league.
“For instance, my players have perfected a penalty corner set piece from Daikyo Heroes, a team we play against in the Coast Hockey League. They’ve also learned patience and discipline on the field, which makes winning easier,” he explained.
Masero cited a pivotal moment in their high school campaign where league experience proved decisive.
“In our match against Sokoke, we struggled to break their defence using hits and passes. The boys adjusted by using aerial balls, which opened up their defense and made the game easier for us,” he noted.
Nyanza Region champions Ringa Boys have also reaped the benefits of league hockey, with six players featuring for Oyugis Hockey Club in the KHU Men’s National League and four others playing for Kisii Falcons, the 2024 KHU National League champions.
Coach Tolbart Osiare emphasized how league exposure has simplified his work and strengthened his team’s overall performance.
“Our boys playing in the league have really helped us. The experience they bring makes my work easier.
For example, both of my goalkeepers play in the league—one for Kisii Falcons and the other for Oyugis Hockey Club—so we literally have to toss a coin to decide who starts in goal because they are at the same level,” Osiare said.
The team’s defensive solidity was evident in the regionals, where they scored 16 goals and conceded only two in seven matches.
“Club hockey has taught my players to utilize the rules to their advantage, such as aerial passes, which gives us an edge,” he added.
Osiare pointed to their regional final against Mbita High School as a defining moment where league experience was crucial.
“For the first time in over two and a half years, we found ourselves trailing 1-0 in the last quarter. The composure and experience of my boys helped us overturn the scoreline in the dying minutes, winning 2-1.
That was a true testament to how league experience helped us win the regionals,” he said.
His advice to other schools is to invest in their players’ development by providing proper playing attire and quality equipment.
“Hockey is an expensive sport, but schools shouldn’t shy away from investing in it. Beyond league hockey, we have also travelled to tournaments in Nairobi, Kitale, Kisii, and Kamusinga, which has further developed our team,” he advised.
Musingu High School plays in the KHU Men’s National League through Western Jaguars Development, the feeder team for the 2024 KHU Men’s Premier League champions Western Jaguars.
Coach Michael Malungu believes league participation is vital for player growth.
“The league challenges players to improve their game and exposes them to different scenarios, which they later face in school competitions,” Malungu said.
“Playing against mature and experienced opponents helps them both positively and negatively. If you focus only on results, it can affect them mentally.
They need to understand it’s not just about winning but also about learning.”
He noted that playing in the league keeps his players updated on new rules and tactics.
“Our players maintain the system of play that our senior team, Western Jaguars, uses. During competitions, we focused on our strengths, and that’s how league experience helped us reach the nationals,” he explained.
Malungu urged schools to prioritize player development over just winning.
“Developing individual technical abilities at an early age makes it easier to work on tactics later. Schools should expose their players beyond school games to elevate their competitiveness.
Coaches and teachers should also invest in their own coaching education to improve the overall quality of the sport,” he emphasized.
In addition to the boys’ teams, Nairobi champions Mwiki Girls have also made headlines by qualifying for their first-ever KSSSA Nationals.
Notably, they compete in the KHU Women’s Super League, underscoring the growing trend of school teams using league participation as a pathway to success.
As more high school teams integrate league hockey into their development programs, it is clear that this exposure is playing a crucial role in elevating the standard of school competitions.
With continued investment and structured player development, the future of Kenyan school hockey looks brighter than ever.