WATCH: St Mary’s Investec hockey festival tops the scoreboard

The 17th St Mary’s Investec Hockey Festival was undoubtedly the best yet with more than 440 goals scored over a four-day period.

Kicking off on 31 March, 36 teams consisting of 650 players took to various AstroTurfs in Gauteng. In excess of 210 games were played, and the top four schools challenged for the coveted title of being the number one young girls’ hockey school team in South Africa.

Those teams were C and N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (OMS), St Mary’s School, Waverley, Pearson High School and St Andrew’s School for Girls.

The festival consisted of 36 teams from around South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, all competing in four days of fast-paced schools hockey.

The final took place on 3 April between C and N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje and St Mary’s, Waverley, in front of enthusiastic friends, family and fellow schools, with OMS taking the victory for the third year in a row.

The player of the tournament was awarded to Hannah Pearce of St Mary’s School, Waverley, who is also the St Mary’s hockey captain. The most promising player of the tournament went to Bianca Wood of Clarendon High School for Girls.

Head of sport at St Mary’s School, Waverley, and overall organiser of the festival, Jill Quicke said, “The culmination of four days of brilliant hockey was the final, played to a crowd of over 3 000 hockey supporters. “The atmosphere was electric. The girls rose to the challenge and gave it their all, giving an outstanding performance.

“Congratulations to C and N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (OMS) for winning the 2016 title. The final was a nail-biting affair, with no side scoring after the 30 minute allocated time or the five minutes extra time.”

The Investec Hockey Academy, which launched at the festival last year, added their experience and scouting talents to the event in order to ensure that players reach their full potential, said academy ambassador, SA hockey player and St Mary’s old girl Shelley Russell.

“The 2016 St Mary’s Investec Hockey Festival proved to be a very entertaining couple of days with some fantastic and exciting hockey produced. The matches were intense with a high calibre of skill displayed and a record number of goals scored,” added Russell

Head of marketing for Investec South Africa, Janet Larsen said, “A truly world-class event held yet again. This tournament continues to be a highlight on our sponsorship calendar.”