The MatchKit platform aims to give South African athletes the financial backing that governing bodies are unable, or unwilling, to give.
The hockey community was rocked this past week by the news that the SA men’s side has withdrawn from the FIH Pro League for the 2023/24 season.
It wouldn’t be the first time that a set of players or an individual athlete has been let down by their federation. In the lead-up to big tournaments, and indeed following disappointing medal returns at major events such as the Commonwealth Games and Olympics, stories bemoaning a lack of funding and support are prevalent.Mike Sharman, who founded MatchKit alongside Rugby World Cup winner Bryan Habana in 2020, watched the latest South African hockey episode unfold with dismay.
Thanks to MatchKit, the team raised R300,000 for the preparatory phase and travelled to the Olympics with a fighting chance.After the Games in Tokyo, there was a national outcry when SA’s two medallists – swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker and surfer Bianca Buitendag – did not receive bonuses from Sascoc. MatchKit called on corporate South Africa and the public to acknowledge the achievements of SA’s new heroines. Almost R500,000 was raised for Schoenmaker and Buitendag as a result.
The team thrashed England in the final, but Habana wondered what came next for the individual players.
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