Africa
Thank you Jimbo for existing
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of a world hockey legend, Jimmy Herbert.
Jimbo was one of those people who had underwater hockey running through his veins, a passionate fan of the sport, a hockey glutton. Contacted by UWHnews, French world champion Arnaud Lagabbe explained that he remembers Jimmy spending a whole day in the pool, watching all the games being played. Plugs in his ears to avoid problems, diving suit to avoid the cold, that’s how he lived his love of hockey.
Coach of South Africa’s men’s and women’s teams at the 1992 World Championships, he won bronze with the men and gold with the women. In 2008, still coach of South Africa, he succeeded in winning the bronze medal, then in 2010, following an invitation from CMAS, the Bocks took part in the European championships. At the end, he led his team to victory in the final of the Open tournament. Finally, in 2011, he won the silver medal for his country’s elite men’s team. Jimbo has coached the South African team in 144 matches, winning 80% of them.
In addition to his achievements with his country, Jimmy Herbert has also coached Maties Club Team to 4 consecutive national championships.
More than just a UWH coach, he was a person who wanted to help the sport rise to the top. In the early 90s, he began a relationship with French hockey. He was contacted by Lionel Dumeaux, coach of the 1998 French world champions. The aim was to learn alongside the best. It was at the 1992 interclubs that French players discovered Bock UWH. A benchmark in the world, the French discovered just how far they had to go to reach the level of the South Africans. The Bocks physical level was impressive, but Jimbo knows that there was potential for the little Frenchies. By hosting and organizing the French trip, Jimmy had quite simply given France the cards to rise to the top. A few months later, France won the European Championship, and five years after the first trip to South Africa, France won the 1998 World Championships against who ? South Africa. Almost one year ago, he did write a tribute to one of the french UWH legend, Loïc Horvais.
As coach of the Barbarians, he brings together players from all over the world to play together and become better players, always in the spirit of the beautiful game and respect for opponents.
In the Netherlands, he is nicknamed the master of masters, and in the 2000s he wrote a book on the subject of training and learning underwater field hockey. Technical advisor between 1999 and 2006 for the Oranges, Dutch underwater field hockey considers him to be the father of the results achieved by the men’s Golden Generation and the elite women’s world champions in 2004.
So, for everything you’ve got, for all the dreams you’ve made come true, thank you Jimbo!
Thanks for everyone around South Africa who helps us to write this article, despite the sadness of the moment, without you it would be impossible to make it. Thank you, thank you !
