For Michelle Awino, hockey was initially a game she heard could take young players beyond Kenya.Now, the Form Three student is living that dream, with her first trip outside the country coming through the sport she hopes will shape her future.The Ng’iya Girls striker is currently in Morogoro, Tanzania, representing Kenya at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games.##NAJAVA_MECA_9894380##This is another milestone in a journey that has already taken her further than she imagined.“My experience here in Tanzania has been good. I have seen a lot of things here,” she told Mozzart Sport.“Playing hockey has at least helped me cross the border. I never knew this would happen so soon.”The experience has given the Kisumu-born player a different perspective on the opportunities hockey can provide.Hockey has become part of her education journey, with opportunities linked to the sport helping her remain in school and supporting the payment of her school fees.“Hockey has helped me a lot. My education is because of hockey, and paying school fees has been because of hockey,” she offered.Her story reflects the transformation of Ng’iya Girls from an emerging school into one of the strongest forces in Kenyan girls’ hockey.FEASSSA: St. Mary's Yala fire blanks against Morogoro Secondary as St. Joseph's Kitale frustrate Amus CollegeThe Siaya-based school announced itself in 2025 by winning the Nyanza Region title.This ended Nyamira Girls’ long dominance in the region before finishing third at the KSSSA Nationals and then matching that position on their FEASSA debut.The progress has continued into 2026, with Ng’iya finishing third at the KSSSA National Term One Games after a campaign that included victories over Mwiki, AIC Nyayo and M-Pesa Academy.They were denied a place in the final by Nyamira Girls after a dramatic semi-final shootout, but recovered to beat AIC Nyayo 2-1 in the third-place playoff.FEASSSA: Yala youngster using football to open doors for forgotten talents back at homeThe latest FEASSA campaign has now given the team another opportunity to measure itself against the best schools in East Africa, although the target has changed from simply competing to challenging for the title.“This year we just need the championship,” declared Awino.Wearing number seven and playing as a striker, the Form Three student is one of the players expected to contribute to that ambition.Awino developed her passion for the game after hearing about the opportunities hockey could create.She had seen friends progress through the sport and believed it could offer her a similar pathway, particularly after hearing stories of players securing opportunities abroad.“What made me play hockey is I heard that if you play hockey, you will go abroad, and the majority of my friends are now far because of the game,” she said.FEASSSA: Bukedea boss explains why Ugandan schools continue to dominate East AfricaThat decision has already taken her from Kisumu to some of the biggest school hockey stages in the region, with Tanzania providing her first experience of competing outside Kenya.The journey, however, has come with the difficult task of balancing sport and academics.One of her biggest challenges is managing training and school schedules, particularly when the demands of hockey clash with classroom responsibilities.She says players can be punished when they are late or miss training, while at times they are sent back to class until they apologise.“Sometimes you are caned at school when you are late or miss training. At times you are chased to go back to class until you apologise,” she said.Despite the pressure, she remains committed to both sides of her development and hopes to continue her hockey career beyond secondary school.FEASSSA 2026: False start for Kakamega as Kenyan champions fall to Ugandan sideShe looks up to Rachel Knights and has set her sights on playing for USIU in the Kenyan league, a target she hopes to pursue after completing her education.Her immediate focus, however, remains on Ng’iya’s FEASSA campaign and the chance to help the team go one step further than its previous regional showing.##NAJAVA_MECA_9895172##The girl who once only heard that hockey could take her abroad is now across the border, representing her school and country while chasing a championship.
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