Country Districts tournament is in full swing

There has certainly been a major shift in dynamics in the growth of hockey in Ekurhuleni, since the development of the Eastern Gauteng Hockey Association (EGHA) AstroTurf, in Benoni.

Jaclyn Capazario, in action for the Eastern Gauteng A side, chases down the ball while teammates and opponents look on, in the opening match versus KZN Inlands, on Sunday, at the South African Ladies Country Districts tournament.

A terrific partnership has also formed between EGHA and St Dunstan’s College, since the school constructed their own AstroTurf.

Both artificial surfaces have allowed for the EGHA’s first accredited South African Hockey Association (SAHA) tournament, the South African Ladies Country Districts Tournament, to take place in the region.

The tournament got underway on Sunday, July 3, and will run until Friday, July 8, when teams jostle it out for final positions.

The main final will take place at 3.30pm on Friday, at the EGHA Astro.

Thereafter, a South African Country Districts team will be selected to do battle at the 2017 Inter-provincial Hockey Tournament (IPT).

Pool A consisted of Western Province, Northern Natal, Northern Blues A, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while Pool B comprised KZN Inlands, Eastern Province, Eastern Gauteng A, KZN Coastals, Northern Blues B and Eastern Gauteng B.

According to Chris Fall, president of the EGHA, the Country Districts tournament serves as a trial for bigger competitions to come.

“If we nail this, we will certainly be in line to host other larger events,” he said.

“We are laying the groundwork for more and more serious hockey to come to the province.”

He also praised Benoni Northerns Sports Club, where the EGHA Astro is based, for coming onboard and for giving the EGHA great support in terms of organising the tournament.

Fall also thanked St Dunstan’s College for making their Astro available for two games.

“We have an excellent relationship with St Dunstan’s and their facility is amazing,” he said.

With regard to the tournament, Fall said that with 11 teams participating there is some excellent potential coming through.

“About 40 per cent of the players are first timers at a Country Districts tournament,” he explained.

“It gives those who do not necessarily get into trials for IPTs an opportunity to come down and represent their province.”

He added that it has also allowed for Easterns to enter a B-team into the tournament, whereas, in the past, they would send only one team to Country Districts.

“It is excellent, because it gives exposure to another 16 women hockey players.”

According to Fall, it is fantastic to be hosting the various provinces in Benoni and he encouraged spectators to come through for Friday’s big matches.

Matches run from 8am to 5pm.

A beer tent is also available for supporters to enjoy.

The opening match was played between Eastern Gauteng A and KZN Inlands, on Sunday, and a familiar surname in local hockey circles, “Eustice” (Sian Eustice), opened the scoring in the competition, with the first goal for Inlands, in what would turn out to be 4-0 win for the visitors.

Former Benoni resident Sian Eustice opened the scoring at the tournament for her side, KZN Inlands, on Sunday.

• Full results at the time of going to press (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) were:

Sunday: EGHA Astro: KZN Inlands 4 – Eastern Gauteng A 0, Northern Blues A 4 – Limpopo 2, Northern Natal 3 – Mpumulanga 1, Eastern Province 3 – Northern Blues B 0, Eastern Gauteng A 2 – KZN Coastals 2, Western Province 1 – Northern Blues A 1. St Dunstan’s College Astro: KZN Inlands 8 – Eastern Gauteng B 0.

Monday: Eastern Gauteng B 0 – KZN Coastals 2, KZN Inlands 4 – Northern Blues B 0, Western Province 5 – Mpumulanga 3, Northern Natal 1 – Northern Blues A 2, Northern Blues B 6 – Eastern Gauteng B 0, Eastern Gauteng A 0 – Eastern Province 5. Limpopo had a bye.

Tuesday: EGHA Astro: Western Province 1 – Limpopo 1, KZN Inlands 1 – KZN Coastals 0, Northern Blues A 3 – Mpumulanga 1, Eastern Gauteng A 1 – Northern Blues B 0, KZN Coastals 1 – Eastern Province 4, Limpopo 1 – Northern Natal 0. St Dunstan’s Astro: Eastern Gauteng B 0 – Eastern Province 4.