Merifield at the top of his hockey game
His hockey career is littered with memorable moments.
Colin Merifield became the second Benoni Northerns hockey player to achieve 300 first team caps last week when his side beat Morningside Country Club (MCC) 2-1 in a Southern Gauteng Premier Reserve League encounter.
The 39-year-old central defender joined fellow club mate Dale Griffiths on an exclusive ‘300 club’ list and was afforded a guard of honour by his teammates as he took the field at the Jeppe High School Astro.
Merifield first picked up a hockey stick at the age of six and 33 years later he is still donning the renowned red, white and gold jersey of his club’s first team, where, barring injury, he has been a regular for the past 19 years.
‘Sheer elation and absolute pride’ were the underlying emotions he said he felt when he took the field. “It was a huge milestone shared with a very special band of brothers”.
The club’s promotion and two subsequent seasons spent in the Southern Gauteng Premier League, however, still stands out as a personal highlight. “That remains the ultimate goal as a team, given the opportunity to test ourselves at that level competing with top provincial and international players,” said Merifield.
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Merifield singled out the wonderful friendships he has built over the years with teammates, and the notable rivalries with CBC Boksburg and Wanderers in particular.
“Northerns is a real icon of the East Rand. The camaraderie, club culture, sportsmanship and positive energy have been unbelievable and I am proud of every one of my teammates who have been part of my journey.”
Every sportsman aspires to play their chosen sport at a higher level and Merifield is no exception. He represented the Eastern Gauteng indoor team between 2005 and 2008 and was also capped for the regional outdoor team on three occasions between 2008 and 2014. He has also been a regular feature in the Masters side since 2015.
A married father of two – a boy and a girl – the love for hockey has been instilled in the next generation and Merifield is already a hockey dad to nine-year-old Keagan and six-year-old Gisele, who have both taken up the game.
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