Redhill School hockey coach Ashleigh Datnow (23) has been named in the SA women’s hockey squad for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
SA coach Robin van Ginkel announced a team of 41 members in preparation for the Olympic Games and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Van Ginkel has opted to blend his squad with youth and senior players, with Datnow being one of the new members in the team.
Datnow, a former sports psychology student at the University of Johannesburg expressed her excitement.
“I am very privileged and honoured to be called up to the national side and I’m really looking forward to working with the senior players in the squad and make a contribution,” she said.
Datnow added that being part of the national side would contribute to her hockey career. “I’m still young and this will be a great learning experience. Given the chance, I will give it my all and make sure that I contribute to the team’s success.”
Van Ginkel and Datnow worked together when Van Ginkel was the hockey coach at the University of Johannesburg.
“Robin is an open coach, always open to new ideas, very approachable and I’m really looking forward to working with him again and impart the knowledge that he shares with me with the younger ones at Redhill School.”
Van Ginkel spoke highly of his squad and said he had assembled an exciting bunch of players which would represent the nation well. The team will be looking to make an impact at the international showpiece following the 2016 disappointment where the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee excluded hockey from the Olympic team for Rio 2016.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/232911/bryanston-high-school-breaks-ground-on-new-hockey-field/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/234585/redhill-learner-competes-in-underwater-hockey-world-championships/
