The Canadian Moose Ice Hockey Club visited Nkume Primary School in Eshowe during their South African tour, introducing learners to the sport for the very first time.
Eshowe, South Africa (29 May 2026) – Hundreds of learners at Nkume Primary School recently got the surprise of a lifetime when an international ice hockey team from Canada arrived at their school in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
The visit by the Canadian Moose Ice Hockey Club turned into far more than just a sports demonstration. It became a day filled with cultural exchanges and unforgettable memories for both the learners and the visiting team.
As the Canadian players arrived at the school in Eshowe on 18 May, they were welcomed by rows of singing learners who greeted them with energy and warmth before an outdoor assembly got underway.
The team gave demonstrations of the sport, showed off their equipment and even invited learners and teachers to get involved. One teacher volunteered to dress up as a goalkeeper, while excited pupils took turns handling hockey sticks and playfully testing out their shots.
The Canadian Moose club, founded in 1989 by former Australian Olympic ice hockey coach Mark Sadgrove, has spent decades travelling across the world to grow the game and connect with communities through sport.
Before arriving in KwaZulu-Natal, the team had already spent part of their South African tour playing matches in Cape Town and Durban while exploring different parts of the country. But their visit to Nkume Primary quickly became one of the most emotional and meaningful moments of the trip.
“Our school visit to Nkume Primary School was a highlight for the Canadian Moose,” said Sadgrove. “The students put together an amazing welcome of song and dance.”
The visit also opened the team’s eyes to some of the daily challenges faced by learners at the school, which educates more than 800 children in the rural community.
After hearing about some of the needs at the school, members of the Canadian Moose came together to raise funds that will help provide essentials such as school shoes, socks, stationery, sports equipment, undergarments and improved WiFi access for learners.
Related Stories
Ladles of Love is Calling on South Africans to Rethink What it Means to Feed a Child
Table Mountain Venue Snags Another World-Class Win for South Africa!Deputy principal Mr Sibiya said the visit left a lasting impact on the school community.
“You showed us Ubuntu is global,” he said “You showed us that teamwork, respect, and perseverance matter whether you’re on ice in Canada or on a dusty field in KwaZulu-Natal.”
For one day, ice hockey sticks replaced classrooms, laughter echoed across the school grounds and two completely different worlds came together through the power of sport.
by 
