Galleries Local sport School sport Sport Sports galleries

The biggest splash of the year is held at Reddam House Helderfontein

NOORDWYK – Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club helps host a successful Junior Nationals tournament in Helderfontein.

March 16, 2020

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Players wait for the start signal so they can race to the puck. Photos: Nicholas Zaal

The best of the best underwater hockey players from across South Africa descended on Reddam House Helderfontein for the much-anticipated Junior Nationals.

The annual tournament saw 300 youngsters from seven provincial teams churn up water all day, every day, in the indoor pool from 27 to 29 February.

Water is churned up all day long, every day, at the Junior Nationals. *Photo Nicholas Zaal*

Competition was fierce, as leagues were held in the boy and girl divisions for U13s, U15s and U19s. A boys and girls mixed league was held for U10s.

A coach gives final advice and encouragement to his players before a match.Photo: Nicholas Zaal

Points were accumulated by each provincial team for every match they won, while the leagues themselves also had overall winners.

Youngsters wait their turn to play at the Junior Nationals. *Photo: Nicholas Zaal*

Gauteng proved by far the best, winning the most matches as well as five of these leagues. West Coast came second after winning the U10 mixed league, and Gauteng North came third thanks to the number of matches they won.

Coach Marian Wessels (right) gives advice to her West Coast U19 girls team between goals. Photo Nicholas Zaal

“It has been a very successful tournament, we are happy with how it turned out,” said Stefan Kostlin, chairperson of Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club which provided most of the players in the Gauteng teams.

Boland players discuss strategy before a match kicks off. *Photo: Nicholas Zaal*

“All the players get along and there is good sportsmanship. The children know each other because they see each other every year, and they have lots of fun.”

He added that a highlight for him was that the tournament provided so many competitive matches, and also that Gauteng won, of course.

Gauteng players get ready for the start of another match at the Junior Nationals. *Photo: Nicholas Zaal*

Christ Church Underwater Hockey Club is based at Christ Church Midrand in Noordwyk and Kostlin invited anyone interested in taking up the sport to contact the club.

“The season is winding down now until the end of March. We will have our AGM, awards and glow in the dark tournament on 4 April.”

Gauteng North gets loads of support at the tournament. *Photo: Nicholas Zaal*

The competing teams at Junior Nationals were Gauteng, Gauteng North, Boland, Western Province, West Coast, North West Potch and North West Rustenburg.