• By Michael Uugwanga

THREE little hockey players are making waves in the local inline hockey game, after playing putting one great show at the Scorpions Inline Hockey Club tournament, in Otjiwarongo, recently.  Matis Mongellaz (5), Maverick Carcamo (5) and Len Rodenwoldt (4 turning 5 in December), this week spoke to Confidente about their journey in the sport of inline hockey and how they feel playing the sport.

Rodenwoldt was born in Cape Town, South Africa and currently plays for Costal Pirates Inline Hockey Club in the under-8 division and is enjoying the sport, while in kindergarten. “I joined Coastal Pirates Inline Hockey Club in April 2024. I first got interested in the sport through the club’s free for all ‘learn to skate’ lessons, which helped me get comfortable on skates,” said Rodenwolt.  

“After that, I joined the beginners group and now also play in tournaments. The Coastal Pirates are doing a fantastic job promoting Inline Hockey for the youth and developing the sport locally. They make it fun and accessible for kids of all ages. Still enjoying my time in kindergarten.”

Inline hockey comes with lots of dangers however, the sport has protective gears that protect players from serious injuries, especially head injuries, something that Rodenwolt is aware of. He also said that he is proud to be an African child and that his club is well run and is doing a great job in promoting the sport.

“It is really exciting. I love skating, pla ing with my teammates and learning new skills. It is always fun, especially during tournaments and practice sessions. We wear full protective gear and our coaches are very careful and supportive. They teach us how to play safely and make sure we are always having fun while staying protected.

“The coaches at Coastal Pirates taught me how to play. I actually started at home, just standing on my skates on the living room carpet, trying to roll carefully. I am an African Child and I am home on the African soil,” said Rodenwolt. Mongellaz started inline hockey when he was three years and today he has already mastered the sport. 

“I started skating when I was three years old at roller discos. Once I felt confident on my skates at the club’s learn to skate sessions, I was ready to begin inline hockey training at the start of this year,” Mongellaz said.  “I play for the Coastal Pirates Club, ‘Go Pirates’, in Swakopmund. I am the third child in my family, with two older sisters already playing inline hockey. 

It was a natural choice for me to join the sport. All the equipment was already at home and watching my sisters made me want to play. It was exciting to watch them play and attend the tournaments. “I am in  lower elementary at Sunshine Corner Montessori. Along with our skates and hockey stick, we wear shin guards, elbow pads, a helmet with a face cage,and colourful tricots as well as cover pants. I am learning how to stop properly, how to fall safely and how to improve my skating,” said Mongellaz.

Carcamo was born in Middelburg, Netherlands and has been skating since he was two years, but started playing inline hockey this year. He is currently residing with his parents in Otjiwarongo and played football in the Netherlands. “I started playing inline hockey this year when I arrived in Namibia, but I have been skating since I was two years old. I chose inline hockey because it is fast and I love it. I play for the under-8 B division. 

At the moment, I do not go to school because I am homeschooled. It feels great to play inline hockey because it is fun to play and I can play with my friends. “I have learned how to fall and get up and since I wear a lot of protections, it is not dangerous. My father taught me to play inline hockey because he is the coach at the club where I play. In the Netherlands I played football,” said Carcamo.