St Stithians hockey girls win silver at Spar Hockey Challenge

The hockey players at St Stithians Girls’ College proved once again why they are rated one of the best hockey outfits in Joburg.

The Spar Hockey Challenge saw 10 teams from schools and clubs across the city converge on Fourways High School for a series of action-packed 20-minute games.

Last year, Saints won the final after a penalty shootout against Fourways High School.

This year, the same teams played in the final.

So close were the sides that at full time the score was tied at 1–1.

The penalties afterwards were also even at 2–2 so it went to sudden death penalties.

Unfortunately, Fourways got the better of Saints this time, scoring a goal that Saints could not match, and took the trophy home.

“Last year Fourways felt the heartbreak so this time it was reversed,” said Saints head of hockey, Rob van Ginkel.”Nevertheless, the Saints girls played well.”

He said the festival was lots of fun and provided an opportunity to play against teams they did not usually play against.

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“Saints has always been one of the strongest hockey sides in Joburg. Along with St Mary’s School Waverley and St Andrew’s School for Girls, we are in the top three.”

Van Ginkel explained that this had been because the hockey development structure worked on developing players from when they were in preparatory school, from as young as eight or nine years old, continuously until they reach matric.

“It is a long-term approach, not like some schools that just see how things are each year and it is up and down.”

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