Toti plays host to International Ladies’ Ice Hockey Challenge
While on a safari tour along the coast, the American and Canadian players were invited to play at Galleria Ice Rink.
GALLERIA Mall’s ice rink came alive earlier this month as it played host to the International Ladies’ Ice Hockey Challenge between South Africa and USA/Canada.
DurbaKnights Ice Hockey Club chairperson Michelle Murphy said a group of female players had travelled from America and Canada for a safari tour along the coast.
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“These friendly games between the touring women and KZN players had been in the making for some time. While they were visiting Durban, Galleria Ice Rink provided the opportunity to play,” she said.
Murphy said the first game had about 100 attendees. “The USA/Canadian team were pitted against the South African mixed team which included KZN women and men, as well as three women from Gauteng who are also a part of the SA Women’s National Team. We won 7–4,” she said.
For the second game, the touring women requested that all the players be mixed up. “This game proved to be very exciting because it went into extra time. After a penalty shoot-out, Team 1 won 4–3,” said Murphy.
She added that KwaZulu-Natal has a small membership base compared to the rest of the country, with Galleria Ice Rink being the only remaining venue in the province.
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“Although the sport has been played in South Africa for over 80 years, public obsession with major sporting codes, cost of importing player equipment, and so forth, dismisses ice hockey to virtual obscurity,” said Murphy.
Despite the small membership base, DurbaKnights Ice Hockey Club, which turns 10 this year, has been home to many South African national players over the years.
She thanked Galleria Mall, the players, the staff, the touring team, the referee and those who attended, as well as all those who worked behind the scenes to make the event a success. “We look forward to bringing more ice hockey action in the near future,” said Murphy.
For more information, or to join the club, contact Michelle Murphy on 072 237 3114 or at durbaknights@gmail.com.
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