The countdown to the Spar KwaZulu-Natal Regional Hockey Tournament has officially begun!
The top ten girls’ first teams from around the province will go head-to-head at the finals of the 2015 tournament in Kloof from July 25 to July 26.
Twenty-nine games will played at St Mary’s DSG and Thomas More College in just 16 days.
“We look forward to a great weekend of top schoolgirl hockey,” said tournament director, Les Galloway. “It has been truly exciting to see how this tournament has helped to grow a love for hockey in KZN.”
Durban Girls’ College is the defending champion, having raised the trophy two years in a row. Promising to give the school a run for the money are St Mary’s DSG and St Anne’s College.
Teams had to win in their respective regions in order to qualify for the finals.
The following teams will compete in the tournament: Ferrum High School, Amanzimtoti High School, Ashton International College, Durban Girls’ College, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High and St Anne’s College, St Mary’s DSG, King Edward High School, Empangeni High School and Wartburg Kirchdorf High School.
Another vital ingredient to the tournament is the growth of the umpires. An umpire from each region was identified as the ‘most promising’ and were subsequently invited to officiate at the grand finals.
They are as follows: Ansie Joubert (St Dominic’s Academy), Jason Naidoo (Kingsway High School), Ziyaana Booley (Northlands Girls High), Pam Daniel (Durban Girls High School), Craig Warren (Treverton), Bryn Merton (Grace College), Chiara Benati (St Mary’s DSG), Tessa Van Vuuren from the Southern KZN Regional, Storm Blignaut (St Catherine’s) and Sarah Wheeler (Greytown High School).
“As with the actual game of hockey, a tournament of this size requires some great teamwork and good strategies to win. I would like to thank everyone involved – the tournament director, Les Galloway, the technical team, the schools, coaches, managers and teachers and the girls and their parents, who have worked together to create and develop this winning event,” concluded Spar Managing Director, Rob Philipson.
Pool matches will be played on July 25 from 8.30. The play-offs will start at 08.30 on July 26.
For more information, like ‘Spar KZN Regional Hockey Tournament’ on Facebook page or follow @SPARGirlsHockey on Twitter.