Photo Credit: ProTouch.Africa

In the dynamic world of sports, few transitions are as profound as the shift from player to coach. Tsoanelo Pholo, once a formidable force on the field as a Women’s South African hockey player, now stands as a prominent figure in the coaching arena. She has transitioned seamlessly into her new role as the Head Coach for the Hong Kong Women’s Team, demonstrating her versatility and dedication to the sport.

In addition to her coaching role, Coach Pholo serves as one of the brand ambassadors for Podium Pursuit, a testament to her continued influence and impact within the sporting community.

Pholo is a former Women’s South African hockey player who proudly represented her country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, contributing to the team’s commendable 9th-place finish. Armed with a wealth of experience, she holds accreditation as an FIH Level 4 Field Hockey coach and is an FIH Coach Educator.

“In South Africa, back then, you didn’t really become a coach, if you hadn’t played at the right levels.” Revealed the 41-year-old.

Through her transition from player to coach, Pholo brings a unique perspective shaped by her years on the field. This first-hand experience not only enhances her coaching effectiveness but also enables her to connect with and inspire her players on a deeper level.

Recently, Pholo undertook the role of coach for the Women’s Hockey5s team, leading them to qualify for the inaugural Women’s Hockey5s World Cup held in Oman.

Approaching the 2024 Women’s Hockey5s World Cup, Pholo encountered the formidable challenge of securing her team’s participation. ProTouch.Africa, recognizing the talent and potential of the South African Women’s Team, stepped in to support their journey to the tournament. 

Through a crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by ProTouch.Africa, the necessary funds were raised to cover the team’s expenses, paving the way for them to showcase their skills on the global stage.

Pholo’s path to coaching was paved by the influential figures she encountered during her playing days. From her math teacher recognizing her talent to national coaches who saw her potential, Pholo’s coaching philosophy was forged by those who believed in her. 

Reflecting on her early coaching endeavours, she emphasizes her ability to inspire young players to see beyond societal expectations and discover their true potential. “I wanted to give something different to these players and allow them to dream.” stated the hockey coach. 

The transition from player to coach presented its challenges, with Pholo recalling the difficulty of leaving the field and assuming a new role in the dugout. 

Yet, driven by her unwavering passion for the sport, she embraced this change wholeheartedly. “As a coach, you have a lot more in touch with players that really want this but they don’t know they want it at times,” she reflects, underscoring her commitment to nurturing the next generation of hockey talent.

Pholo’s coaching journey has taken her from the familiar confines of South African hockey to the vibrant multicultural landscape of Hong Kong. Here, she faces the task of bridging cultural differences while fostering trust within her team.

Armed with her experiences and a profound understanding of the universal language of hockey, Pholo remains resolute in her challenge. “The language is not the problem,” she asserts.

To Coach Pholo’s surprise, she discovered that the potential barriers she had anticipated were almost non-existent. “I thought the language would be really different and would be a huge barrier; but, everyone speaks English.”

Coach Pholo is driven by a vision to make a lasting impact on Hong Kong hockey, eager to influence the players positively. “There definitely will be people that when they see the Hong Kong women play, they will be like ‘it’s Pholo coaching this team’. Because there are aspects that I really enjoy and really want to push”. 

Through her coaching approach, Pholo aims to foster a sense of unity within the team, both on and off the field, “There’s one thing I’ll always say, I don’t coach robots, I coach human beings.” 

Pholo’s coaching style is characterized by her unique ability to connect with her players on a personal level, seeing beyond their athletic abilities to understand their humanity. “When I say I’m studying hockey, I’m studying human beings.”

Looking ahead, Pholo envisions making meaningful contributions to the broader hockey community, both locally and internationally. Despite her move to Hong Kong, she remains deeply rooted in her South African heritage, eager to bring back valuable experiences and insights to uplift the sport in her homeland. “Africa has still not shown the world what she can do in terms of the hockey world,” she remarks, expressing her determination to make a difference.

Ultimately, Pholo hopes to be remembered not only as a successful coach but as someone who used hockey as a tool for empowerment and opportunity. “I want to be remembered as someone who loved people and used hockey as a tool to spread love and knowledge,” she stated.

As she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of hockey players, Tsoanelo Pholo’s envisions her legacy to leaving an indelible mark on the sport she loves.

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ABOUT PROTOUCH AFRICA

PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-led and Sports Tech business founded in 2016 with a focus on enabling African Athletes to perform on the World Stage. 

It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues, and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes in Q1 of 2024 by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans, and the brands that support them.