Largest prize up for grabs at hockey tourney

SPONSORS of this year’s annual Greenfields Elite Club Challenge have announced that they will be offering the most prize money in SA hockey history to the winning team: R25 000. The event, takes place from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 July at the Riverside Sports in Durban North.

This is the only non-tertiary national hockey tournament on the SA circuit to feature the country’s top club hockey teams (including national and provincial players from KZN, Gauteng and Western Province), battling it out for the coveted prize money. Teams include defending champions, WP Cricket Club Badgers, Riverside Hockey Club, Wanderers Hockey Club, Malik Old Albanians Hockey Club, Old Edwardians Hockey Club and Kearsney Hockey Club.

According to Greenfields’ synthetic turf manager, Ayden Shrives, the reason for their participation in this event is to help build awareness and create real opportunities for SA’s talent in the hockey arena.

“It makes perfect sense for a company which produces world-class astro turf and synthetic flooring to support and nurture the teams and players within those fields. These tournaments give players first-hand experience of playing on a Greenfields surface, as well as allowing us to interact directly with our market,” explained Shrives.

The tournament, which was established in 2013 by Riverside Sports Club, had the purpose of showcasing proficient top-class hockey by premier players in a festival-type tournament.

Chairman of Riverside Hockey Club, Wayne Philips, said this year an additional two more teams were added to the already competitive line-up, promising even more exceptional hockey displays and a fun weekend outdoors with good music, food and entertainment.

“We encourage everyone who is not only a hockey but sport and outdoor enthusiast to bring the family and enjoy the sensational matches on display at our our world-class facilities. This is pure hockey enjoyment at its best,” he said.

Entrance is R7 per day and free for Riverside members.