Results SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional

Ferrum High School is back, reclaiming the title of the Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on their turf on Saturday 11 May.

This is the ninth time they have raised the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011, with the last time being in 2019. In the regional final, the hosts met travelling team, a surprise package, Vryheid High School for the second time that day, having clashed earlier in their third pool game. A humdinger of a game took place midway through the fixtures, with the score ending 1 all.

Vryheid, led by feisty captain, Kunene Sphesihle, pushed hard during both games, keeping Ferrum on their toes. Kunene was never far from the action, with several exciting runs midfield, charging into her opponent's circle. Ferrum’s captain, Joey du Preez was equally involved, choreographing play from the middle, threading the ball up to her powerhouse forwards.

In the main game, Ferrum continued their momentum, threatening first earning the games first short corner with just 43 seconds on the clock. The locals had several set pieces during the game that were exquisitely defended by the visitors. In amongst the corners, both teams crafted some thrilling breakaways, piercing the oppositions’ circle. Nearing 7 minutes, Amahle Mbatha determinedly entered the Vryheid D after a short sharp run, wasting no time, she hammered in an unstoppable attempt that rocketed into the back of the net, taking her team up 1 nil and netting victory for her team.

In the build up to the final Ferrum met defending champions, St Dominic’s Newcastle who placed second in their pool. After a fast flowing, action packed game, both teams were unable to score and the game moved to an 8 second penalty shoot-out. Ferrum tipped off the action first, slotting in all their attempts, but St Dom’s were closed down in their second challenge, giving Ferrum the edge.

In the second semi-final, Vryheid took on one-time regional winners, Sarel Cilliers who had a spectacular day out, finishing on top in their pool. An on-her-toes keeper from Sarel, Jenor Joubert shut down a couple of Vryheid runs, bravely advancing off her line and blocking any chances. Similarly to the first semi, both teams were unable to edge the ball across the line, the score at full time sat on nil nil, and the game progressed, for the second time, to an 8 second penalty spot. After three rounds, the scoreboard hadn’t moved, and the game advanced to sudden death. Sarel went first and were unable to score. Kunene stepped up for her second attempt for Vryheid, running the ball goalwards, then drifting right to tap the ball past a charging Jenor to secure a spot in the final.

Umpire of the Day went to Lucrecia Struwig representing her Alma Mater. A 2018 Ferrum matriculant, Struwig has travelled four times to the Grand Finals, twice as a player in 2017 and 2018 and then with her whistle in 2019 and 2020.

All spots have now been filled for the Grand Finals that will be held at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July. Ferrum joins the nine teams that have already qualified. They are Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional), The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); Grantleigh School (KZN North Coastal Regional); St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke Regional) and Ladysmith High School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional).

Results

Final

Ferrum High School 1 vs Vryheid High School 0

Semi Final

Ferrum High School 0 (3) vs Curro St Dominics Newcastle 0 (1)

Sarel Cilliers High School 0 (0) vs Vryheid High School 0 (1)

Pool A

1 Ferrum High School 14 points; 2 Vryheid High School 11 points; 3 Ferrum High School Inv 9 points; Pongola Academy 4 points; 5 Utrecht High School

Pool B

1 Sarel Cilliers High School 13 points; 2 Curro St Dominics Newcastle 12 points, 3 Dundee High School 8 points; 4 Newcastle High School 4 points; 5 Amajuba High School 1 point

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Ferrum High School: Saturday 11 May

Concluding this year’s SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge regionals, Ferrum High School hosts ten teams for the Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 11 May.

The day gets underway with a cracker of a game, host school and eight times regional champion, Ferrum High School take on two times winner, Pionier Hoërskool. The challenge tips off at 8am, with games lasting 20 minutes only, and play running one way.

Step to it. St Dominic’s Newcastle’s Aphelele Mkhwanazi and Sphe Mabona are gearing up to defend their title at the upcoming Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that takes place at Ferrum High School on Saturday 11 May. Pic by Val Adamson

The ten teams participating have been divided into two pools. Ferrum High School leads Pool A, with Pionier Hoërskool, Utrecht High School, Vryheid High School and Pongola High School. Defending champions, St Dominic’s Newcastle heads up Pool B, together with Dundee High School, Amajuba High School, Newcastle High School and one time winner, Sarel Cilliers High School.

A successful team will earn themselves 4 points on the leaderboard, if two teams draw with goals, they both share 2 points, and if two teams draw but were unable to score any goals, they both will have 1 point added to their tally. A losing team will acquire zero points.

After the pool games, the top team in pool A will take on the second top team in pool B in the first semi-final. The first placed team in pool B will meet the second placed team in pool A in the second semi-final. Fifteen minutes later the winners of the cross-pool games will meet in the regional final to reveal who the 2024 champion will be, and the final team to qualify for the Grand Finals.

Nine teams from around KZN have already qualified for the Grand Finals that will be held at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July. They are Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional), The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); Grantleigh School (KZN North Coastal Regional); St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke Regional) and Ladysmith High School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional).

All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge uMvoti and oThukela Regional Saturday 4 May

The penultimate tournament in the 2024 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads to Greytown High School for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional on Saturday 4 May.

Seven teams will take to the Greytown pitch with the tournament running in a round-robin format. In the familiar style to the KZN SPAR hockey challenges, all games will be a quick-fire 20 minutes long, with play only going one way.

Focused on the task at hand. Ladysmith High School’s Deputy Head Girl, Anzel Warmenhoven and Angelique Adams gear up to defend their uMvoti and oThukela Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge being hosted at Greytown High School on Saturday 4 May.Pic by Val Adamson

Poi nts will be awarded after each game; the top two teams will then face each other in the regional final. For a win, 4 points will be awarded, a draw with goals will amount to 2 points each, and a goalless draw nothing up 1 point each. A loss will register zero points.

Joining host school, Greytown are Domino Servite; Estcourt High School; Hermannsburg School; Ladysmith High School; Wembley College and Wartburg Kirchdorf School. Taking to the field first are Greytown and Wembley College, tipping off at 8am, followed by Hermannsburg meeting Domino Servite in the second fixture.

 An array of teams have raised the regional trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011 and gone on to the Grand Finals. Most recently, two times winner, Ladysmith High School is the defending champion, with their name engraved in 2012 and 2023 on the trophy. Wembley College also appear twice, for 2011 and 2021. Two teams’ names appear once, host Greytown were victorious in 2018 and in 2022, Domino Servite represented the area. Wartburg Kirchdorf have six wins under their belt, dominating from the years 2013 to 2017 and then again, in 2019.

The victorious team from this regional will meet nine other successful teams from around KZN in the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July. Eight teams have already qualified, they are Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional), The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); Grantleigh School (KZN North Coastal Regional) and St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke Regional).

All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

ENDS

Results and wrap up Ugu and Sisonke Regional SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

A new team will engrave their name on the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge trophy when host school, St Patrick’s College were victorious in the Ugu and Sisonke Regional that took place at their picturesque setting in Kokstad on Saturday 20 April.

St Patrick’s is the fifth team to be crowned in this region since the tournament’s inception in 2011, having defeated defending champions and one-time winners, Suid Natal Hoërskool in an enthralling final.

In the lead up to the regional final, both teams finished second in the logs after their four pool games. St Patrick’s finished two points behind a determined Port Shepstone High School who earned 12 points in Pool A. In Pool B King Edward topped the log with 13 points, followed by Suid Natal on 10 points.

After the pool games, the challenge progressed to a cross pool positional playoff. In a coastal derby - Sheppie met Suidies in the first semi-final, and in the second semi-final, an inland derby - King Edward took on St Patricks. At the conclusion of the semis, Suidies had a change to protect their title, meeting St Patrick’s in the regional final.

The conclusion of three of the four main games were decided on the spot, with three players from each team participating in an 8 second penalty shootout. In the first semi-final, Suid Natal and Sheppie drew 1 all at full time and Suid Natal went up by a single goal in their very first run, with no other goals being netted in the remainder of the penalty attempts.

In the bronze medal game, Sheppie found themselves for the second time at the spot, this time facing King Edward High School. The full-time whistle blew with both teams unable to slot the ball into the back of the box, drawing on nil nil. A jack-in-the-box keeper, Reitumetsi Pakkies from King Edward pulled out some awe-inspiring saves, closing down all of Sheppies runs, diving all over the place in some epic charge downs.

In the all-important final, St Patrick’s were first to score. 14 minutes into the game, Courney Kitching calmly slapped in the opening goal after a great attack down the right side. She was camped out at the goal mouth and was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, slotting in her teams first.

A minute later, St Patrick’s were brought back down to earth as Suidies also charged down the right, crossing the ball to an alert Luca Meyer who nailed in the equaliser. For the remainder of the final, both teams were unable to find a hole in their opponents defence, to get the challenge-winning goal. At the final whistle the score was 1 all with both teams gearing up for the penalty shootout.

Suid Natal’s keeper, Anrika Badenhorst did well in her first standing in the penalty shootouts, closing down all of Sheppie’s attempts. In the final a young, crafty St Patrick’s Rayne Kitching side stepped Badenhorst, rounding her to the left and then trickled the ball over the line for the only goal in the penalty shootout. St Patrick’s keeper, Sikhona Mcebesi kept a clean sheet in her first defence that day in a penalty shootout,

Most Promising Umpire went to Bergview High School’s Arne Pieterse who had a fantastic day officiating with the whistle.

St Patrick’s College is the eighth KZN  team to gain a spot at the Grand Finals that will be held in July at St Mary’s D.S.G. The seven other teams that have secured their spot already are Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional), The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional) and Grantleigh School (KZN North Coastal Regional).

Results

1 St Patrick’s College, 2 Suid Natal Hoërskool, 3 King Edward High School, 4 Port Shepstone High School, 5 Southcity Christian School, 6 Kokstad College, 7 Curro Creston, 8 St Monica’s Diocesan, 9 Ixopo High School, 10 Bergview College 

Pool A

1 Port Shepstone High School 12 points, 2 St Patrick’s College 10 points, 3 Kokstad College 6 points, 4 St Monica’s Diocesan 6 points, 5 Ixopo High School 0 points

Pool B

1 King Edward High School 13 points, 2 Suid Natal Hoërskool 10 points, 3 Southcity Christian School 5 points, 4 Curro Creston 3 points, 5 Bergview College 1 point

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke and Ugu Regional St Patrick’s College: Saturday 20 April

St Patrick’s College hosts ten schools in the upcoming Sisonke and Ugu Regional, the eighth regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that takes place on Saturday 20 April.

Joining hosts in the regional are Bergview College; Curro Creston; Ixopo High School; King Edward High School; Kokstad College; Port Shepstone High School; Southcity Christian School; St Monica’s Diocesan; and defending champions, Suid-Natal Hoërskool.

Got your back. Defending champs, Suid Natal Hoërskool’s Nikita Grobler (Captain) and Desi Du Plooy (Vice-Captain) gear up to take on schools in the upcoming Sisonke and Ugu Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that takes place at St Patrick’s College in Kokstad on Saturday 20 April. Pic by Val Adamson

The ten teams will be split into two pools with Pool A featuring St Patrick’s; St Monica’s; Kokstad College; Sheppie High and Ixopo High. Pool B has King Edward High, Suid-Natal; Bergview, Creston and Southcity. The duration of the matches is 15 minutes one way, with a win earning the successful team 4 points; a draw with goals, 2 points, a goalless draw 1 point and finally, a loss no points.

The first game tips off at 8am with host school, St Patrick’s meeting St Monica’s in the first game. Next up at 8.15am, from Pool B, Kokstad College will meet the travelling team, Sheppie High. After a game break, St Patrick’s are back on the turf facing Ixopo High at 8.30am.

At the conclusion of the pool games, if two teams find themselves on equal points, goal difference will come into play to see who finishes higher on the log. In the cross-pool games, drawn games will head to a 3 round penalty shootout.

In the 14 years since the tournament’s inception, there have been four teams that have raised the trophy. Recently the inland teams of Kokstad College and King Edward High School have dominated, after dethroning Creston after they won it twice in 2012 and 2013. Kokstad have victories in 2011, 2014 and 2019, with King Edward High School being crowned five times in 2015 – 2018, and 2022. Most recently, the newcomer to the group, Suid-Natal earned their first victory last year after defeating Kokstad College.

The challenge that travels to ten regions annually, has already had seven teams earning their spot at the Grand Finals that will be held in July at St Mary’s D.S.G. The teams are Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional), The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regiona) and at the most recent regional, the winner for the Northern KZN Coastal Regional, Grantleigh School.

All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional 9 March

The Wykeham Collegiate hosts the second regional in the 2024 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 9 March. 

Seven teams will be taking to The Wykeham Collegiate’s turf to rival it out for the honours of the Pietermaritzburg North Regional. Joining the host team, The Wykeham Collegiate are Grace College, Howick High School, Linpark High School, St Anne’s College, Treverton College, and Riverwood College (formerly Voortrekker High).

Jump for joy. The Wykeham Collegiate’s Emily Wilson and Amy Erasmus are excited to defend their title in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. Their team will defend on their home turf on Saturday 9 March, meeting local teams in an action packed day.  Pic by Val Adamson

The tournament will be run in a round robin format. Play gets underway at 8am, with ten games rolling out, followed by a 10 minute technical break, then another 11 games will take place. All games are 18 minutes running time with a 2 minute change over. 

Points will be awarded for each victory, with the winning team earning 4 points. 2 points will go to each team that draw having scored in their game. For a goalless draw, each team will walk away with 1 point. A losing team will unfortunately earn zero points. At the conclusion of the 21 round robin games, the main deciding game will reveal the regional champion.

The host team, The Wykeham Collegiate has won this regional twice, the first time in 2012 and then last year. St Anne’s College is the only other team to have hoisted the trophy in this regional. They have their name engraved on the trophy nine times and will be wanting to claim back the title, earning their tenth victory. 

Each KZN regional winner advances to the Grand Finals which takes place in July at St Mary’s D.S.G. The Pietermaritzburg North Regional champion will meet nine other regional champs in a two-day tournament. One team will have secured their ticket for the Grand Finals, on 2 March at the Durban Central Regional, the first in the 2024 challenge. 

Leading up to the Grand Finals, the challenge moves to the UKZN astro the following day where teams will compete in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional, hosted by Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. 

Scouts from eta College will be at each of the regionals, watching potential players that they can offer a bursary to their Durban Campus. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools App or on their website. 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Ten Teams in Grand Finals 22 & 23 July

After ten hotly contested regionals around KZN, the finalists from each area head to the main event of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG on 22 and 23 July. 

This year’s Grand Finals welcomes a fantastic mix of challengers. The tournament that began in 2011 has a handful of teams with an expansive history of appearances, and adding to the line-up this year, several fresh new contenders. 

Snap! Pictured at the tournament announcement for the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge are Danville Park Girls’ High School’s captain, Anqobile Nkayi; Durban Girls’ College’s Jenna Reardon; Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School’s keeper, Kelly Willson with her captain Sisikelelwe Sopiseka and St Mary’s DSG’s captain, Kelly Jansens ter laeck. The action packed weekend of hockey will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July. Pic by Val Adamson

Two travelling teams will be competing for the very first time: the challenge welcomes Suid Natal Hoërskool representing the Sisonke and uGu Region and St Dominics Newcastle, the winner of the Northern KZN Region. 

Two teams will be making their second appearance, having both last competed at the Grand Finals in 2012. The Wykeham Collegiate will be waving the flag for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional and on behalf of the uMvoti and oThukela Regional, Ladysmith High School are back too. In their first run at the finals, Wykeham got to the medal round, finishing an impressive fourth overall, while Ladysmith earned a seventh place eleven years ago. 

Back for a third time, Danville Park Girls’ High School will be keen to better their consistent sixth places in 2012 and 2014. Kuswag Hoërskool will also take to the turf for their third outing. They competed in the inaugural tournament in 2011 where they finished ninth and then last year, they took the tenth spot. 

North Coast Regional winner, Grantleigh College head to the finals for their fifth time. Last year they finished seventh and in 2011, 2016 and 2017 they ended eighth overall. 

After several years’ sabbatical, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School make a welcome return for the seventh time as the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional winners. In their six previous runs, they have featured in the medal games every year with three silvers in 2011, 2013 and 2015, two bronze medals in 2012 and 2014 and a fourth in 2016. 

Host school St Mary’s DSG will be eager to continue their success at the Grand Finals, they have dominated the Highway Regional, representing the area for the tenth time this year. Saints have hoisted the trophy five times in 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, taken silver in last year’s finals, won bronze in 2011 and 2013 and finished fourth in 2015. 

The only team with a 100% record at the Grand Finals, Durban Girls’ College are the defending champions. The Durban Central Regional winners have a fantastic history at the Grand Finals, winning gold four times in 2013, 2014, 2015 and last year. They have also won silver in 2012, 2016 and 2017, one bronze in 2019 and two fourth places in 2011 and 2018. 

The weekend’s action will all be livestreamed on the SuperSport School’s mobile app and website.  

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparKZNSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

Eleventh Appearance

Durban Girls’ College - Durban Central Regional Winner - Gold (2013, 2014, 2015, 2022), Silver (2012, 2016, 2017), Bronze (2019), Fourth (2011, 2018)

Tenth Appearance

St Mary’s D.S.G. – Highway Regional Winner - Gold (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), Silver (2022), Bronze (2011, 2013), Fourth (2015)

 Seventh Appearance

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High – Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Winner - Silver (2011, 2013, 2015), Bronze (2012, 2014), Fourth (2016)

 Fifth Appearance

Grantleigh College – North Coast Regional Winner – Seventh (2022), Eighth (2011, 2016, 2017)

 Third Appearance

Danville Park Girls’ High School – Durban North Regional Winner – Sixth (2012, 2014) 

Kuswag Hoërskool – Durban South Regional Winner – Ninth (2011), Tenth (2022)

 Second Appearance

The Wykeham Collegiate – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner - Fourth (2012)

Ladysmith High School - uMvoti and oThukela Regional – Seventh (2012)

 First Appearance

Suid Natal Hoërskool - Sisonke and uGu Regional Winner

St Dominics Newcastle – Northern KZN Regional Winner 

 ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge uMvoti and oThukela Regional Fixtures

The eighth regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge is set to tip off at Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May when they host the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. 

Seven teams will be running onto the field at Wartburg Kirchdorf School. Joining hosts are Hermannsburg School, defending champions Domino Servite, Greytown High School and Wembley College. This regional also welcomes back Estcourt High School and Ladysmith High School. 

The games get underway early, with hosts Wartburg Kirchdorf meeting Hermannsburg in the first game of the day that gets rolling at 7.30am. This regional follows a round robin format with all seven teams getting twenty minutes to shine, with play only running one way. 

A victorious team earns their school 4 points, a goalless draw will only earn the two teams one point each for their efforts, but if both teams manage to net the same amount of goals, they will share 2 points each. A loss won’t register on the overall log with teams accumulating zero points if they go down. The top two teams on the scorecard will then play each other in the regional final. 

In the thirteen years since the tournament’s inception, five teams have raised the trophy in this region. Host school, Wartburg Kirchdorf has represented the area six times at the Grand Finals. Wembley College won the inaugural regional in 2011, and again were winners in 2021. Ladysmith High School was the second named engraved on the trophy while both Greytown High School and Domino Servite – the defending champions, have both won once. 

The uMvoti and oThukela Regional is followed by the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional, hosted by Epworth School on Sunday 14 May. Thereafter, the final tournament, the Northern KZN Coastal Regional takes place at Grantleigh College on Saturday 20 May.

Six victorious teams representing their regions have already earned a spot at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. The winner of the uMvoti and oThukela Regional will join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Hoërskool Suid Natal (Sisonke and uGu Regional). (The seventh team representing the Northern KZN Region will be decided on 6 May in Newcastle.)

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey) 

ENDS

2011 Wembley

2012 Ladysmith

2013 Wartburg

2014 Wartburg

2015 Wartburg

2016 Wartburg

2017 Wartburg

2018 Greytown

2019 Wartburg

2020 COVID

2021 Wembley

2022 Domino

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Fixtures

The penultimate tournament that travels to ten regions for the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, heads to Epworth School where they will host schools from the area for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 14 May.

Seven schools will participate in a fun filled day of hockey that tips off at 8am. Epworth School is joined by Alexander High School; Carter High School; Maritzburg Christian School; Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School; Russel High School and defending champs St John’s D.S.G.

The seven teams look forward to six quick fire games each, having 18 minutes of play running one way in a round robin formatted tournament. A winning team will notch up four points on the overall log, while if two teams knock in an equal amount of goals for a draw, they will each earn two points. A goalless draw will nett a single point for both teams and a loss, zero points. After the 21 round robin games, the top two teams will meet each other for a second time that day, this time for the trophy-lifting regional final. 

The Pietermaritzburg Central Regional has produced three teams that have gone on to represent their area at the main event for the competitive teams, the Grand Finals. Both hosts, Epworth School and defending champs, St John’s D.S.G. have appeared twice at the Grand Finals, while Epworth also won in 2020, the disrupted CoViD year. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School dominated the region with six successive victories in a row when the tournament began in 2011. 

Eight victorious teams representing their regions will have already secured a berth at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. The top team at the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional will join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional) and St Dominics Newcastle (Northern KZN Regional). The eighth team from the uMvoti and oThukela Regional will be decided the day before the action-packed day at Epworth. 

The final challenge heads to Grantleigh College on Saturday 20 May for the Northern KZN Coastal Regional.

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey). 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Results

Host school, St Dominics Newcastle hoisted the trophy for the first time in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge’s Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 6 May.

In a highly competitive regional final, St Dominics met local rivals, Ferrum Hoërskool who have dominated this regional with eight victories since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The two teams topped their pools with convincing wins throughout the day, and both won their respective Semi-Finals. 

In the 18 minutes of the final, both teams were evenly matched, with nothing between the two. The action-packed game glided all around the park. 3 minutes in, Ferrum found some space and took play up to St Doms in the games’ first real surge but an alert backline defended boldly, sending the game out of their danger zone, back up to midway. A few minutes later, it was the turn of the hosts, who ran the ball up to the other end, but in a similar fashion, Ferrum’s defence didn’t falter. 

Nearing 7 minutes, St Doms shone with some great skills, working the ball up with players passing quickly to one another as they rapidly made their way up the middle towards the Ferrum circle. The magic and momentum was abruptly halted as the ball carrier lost concentration and frustratingly stepped on the ball. 

An indication of how equal the two teams were, it took 9 minutes and 9 seconds for the first shot to be fired. Ferrum was gifted an opportunity, running the ball into the circle and wasting no time, smashing in their attempt, only to watch the ball whisk past the righthand post. Both teams played with tremendous discipline, not giving away any short corners, and only one long corner was given to St Dom’s. 

In the final quarter, St Doms kicked up a gear. The home team mounted several attacks on the Ferrum goal, with two close calls but the savvy Ferrum defenders stood strong as St Dominics grew in confidence. Time expired with the score sitting level at zero zero. The regional final would be decided in a penalty shootout. 

Three players from both teams made their way to the spot. Ferrum took first charge, with Annerie Roos netting her team’s first goal. Both Abongile Masondo from St Doms and Ferrums’ Annemie Rautenbach turns ended with keepers Colbe Le Breton and Sanri van Rhyn respectively shutting down their shots. Second up for St Dom’s, Andiswa Mhlungu was unfortunately fouled by FERRUM and was awarded a penalty stroke which was taken by a brave Xoliswa Sithole. Sithole sent her flick dead centre of goals but Le Breton easily stopped the shot. 

Third up for Ferrum, Joey du Preez took the ball up, drifting right and pulling van Rhyn out of the box. As she was nearing the base line, she slipped the ball past the keeper but sadly, her shot was off target and the ball skidded right of goal. With the score still on 1 nil, Ciana Captain, Captain for St Domnics stepped up to the spot. She too drifted right and tapped the ball in. Le Breton got a foot on the ball, slowing it down but luck was on Captains side, as the ball trickled over the line just in time to level the score at 1 all. 

With all three players having had their chance, the final progressed to a sudden death. A cool calm and collected Captain Courageous began, lifting the ball up for a few skillful bounces on her stick as she entered the circle, she let the ball drop and proceeded in similar fashion to run right, pulling the ball further right, away from an advancing Le Breton, with a bit more force, she tapped the ball beyond the reach of Le Breton and netting her and her teams’ second goal. A previously successful Roos went first for Ferrum. Following the trend of taking play to their right, she advanced rapidly to within a few meters from the baseline, realising her angle had been cut down dramatically by a charging van Rhyn, she knocked in her shot that flew wide. An eruption of emotions followed suit, with St Dom’s taking the win by the narrowest of margins, with two successful penalties, to Ferrum’s one. 

Recognised for his efforts with the whistle, head boy and First team goal keeper for St Dominics Newcastle, Mvelo Mashinini shone as the Most Promising Umpire.

St Dominics Newcastle is the seventh team who will be representing their region at the Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July. They join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional); Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional), Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional).

The challenge heads to Wartburg Kirchdorf School this weekend, on Saturday for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional, followed by the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional at Epworth School on Sunday. The tenth regional takes place at Grantleigh College the following weekend, wrapping up the ten regionals around KZN. 

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

Pool Results

Pool A

1 Ferrum Hoërskool 16pts; 2 Sarel Cilliers High School 9 pts; 3 Newcastle High School 9pts; 4= Vryheid Landbou; 4= Pongola Akademie

Pool B

1 St Dominics Newcastle 16pts; 2 Vryheid High School; 3 Dundee High School; 4= Utrecht High School; 4= Amajuba High School

Regional Final Results

St Dominics Newcastle 0 (2) vs Ferrum Hoërskool 0 (1) 

ENDS

PAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional Fixtures

The seventh SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads north to St Dominics Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 6 May. 

Ten schools will be eagerly stepping onto the St Dominics' astro. The format for the day will see the teams divided into two pools. Pool A sees Ferrum High School; Sarel Cilliers High School; Vryheid Landbou; Newcastle High School and Pongola Akademie. Joining host school, St Dominic’s in Pool B are Dundee High School; Utrecht High School; Vryheid High School and Amajuba High School.

All games will run one way for 18 minutes, with a 2 minute change over for the teams between games. The overall log will be calculated with a win earning the victorious team 4 points; a draw with goals, 2 points; a goalless draw only a single point and a loss tallying up zero points.

At the end of the 20 pool games, the two log leaders from Pool A and Pool B will meet in a cross-pool playoff, followed by the regional decider revealing who will represent the area at the illustrious wrap up of the ten regionals that took place around KZN, at the Grand Finals that is being held in July at St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.

Three teams have hoisted the trophy in this area, of the three, two are back in the hopes of reclaiming the title. Ferrum High School have dominated this area with ten appearances at the Grand Finals since the tournament commenced in 2011. Sarel Cilliers travelled down to Durban for the 2016 main event. 

The successful champs from the Northern KZN Regional will join six other teams that have already reserved their ticket to the distinguished conclusion, they are Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and Suid Natal Hoërskool (Sisonke and uGu Regional).

The eighth tournament heads to Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. The penultimate challenge gets rolling at Epworth School on Sunday 14 May for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional. And the final fixture, Grantleigh College rounds off the 2023 Challenge with teams from around Richards Bay and Empangeni partaking in the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 20 May.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on SuperSport Schools website or their mobile app. 

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke and uGu Regional Results

Christening the new astro turf at Creston College, ten teams gave it their all when they converged for an action-packed Sisonke and uGu Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on Sunday 23 April.

The strongest two teams of the day, Suid Natal and Kokstad College met in the regional final and played their hearts out, leaving everything on the turf. There was nothing in it between the two schools who entertained the large crowds from start to finish, keeping everyone riveted and on the edge of their seats. In an epic conclusion, Suid Natal managed to hold strong and go one up on Kokstad College, winning their very first title since the tournament’s inception in 2011. 

Suid Natal claimed most of the possession throughout the final, with several magnificent runs at the Kokstad box but just lacked the all important finishing touches to convert their fine attacks into goals. In the 20 minutes of play, they were awarded six short corners, five of which were in a row with four immediate retakes being blown for various Kokstad infringements. Kokstad only had one chance for a set piece in the Suid Natal circle, but similar to their counterparts, were unable to find a hole in the hard-working defense. 

Kokstad didn’t have much time down at their oppositions goals but when an opportunity did present itself, Kokstad looked dangerous but also were unable to slot in a triumphant trophy-lifting goal. At full time, the scoreline sat at nil nil, with the match heading to the penalty spot. Three players each faced their competitor’s keeper in a deciding penalty shootout. In the three rounds, Suid Natal knocked in their first round and Kokstad leveled in their second round. At the conclusion of the three sequences, the nail-biting final moved onto a sudden death. The shootout would continue until one team missed.

Both Suid Natal and Kokstad netted their first attempts, leveling on two all. Suid Natal’s Luca Meyer set off directly goalwards, nearing the keeper she pulled the ball left and then right, wrong footing Kokstad’s Lulutho Dalawana and neatly punched in her shot taking the score to 3-2. Kokstad’s Esha Desai was next to go, she also charged directly goalwards. As she neared the goal, an unmoving Anrika Badenhorst eyed her efforts. Desai slowed her run and slapped the ball in but an eagle-eyed Badenhorst pounced on the ball managing to deflect it well out of danger and in so doing, earning her team victory. 

A bright talent in the world of umpiring, Kiolin Gouws from Kokstad College was acknowledged as the Most Promising Umpire. 

Newcomers, Suid Natal is the sixth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July.

The tournament takes a week break before travelling up to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional hosted by St Dominic’s School on Saturday 6 May.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools app or on their website. 

Pool Results

Pool A

1 Kokstad College 10pts; 2 Creston College 9pts; 3 St Patrick’s College 7pts; 4 King Edward High School 3pts; 5 Scottburgh High School 1pts

Pool B

1 Suid Natal Hoërskool 12pts; 2 Southcity Christian School 9pts; 3 Port Shepstone High School 5pts; 4 Bergview 3pts; 5 Ixopo High School 1pt

Cross Pool Results

1 Suid Natal Hoërskool; 2 Kokstad College; 3 Southcity Christian School; 4 Creston College; 5 St Patrick’s College; 6 Port Shepstone High School; 7 King Edward High School; 8 Bergview College; 9= Scottburgh High School; 9= Ixopo High School

Final Score

Suid Natal Hoërskool 0 (3) vs Kokstad College 0 (2) 

 ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional Results

In a momentous victory, The Wykeham Collegiate toppled host school, St Anne’s College in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on Saturday 22 April.

As soon as play got underway in the regional final, Wykeham pushed up into Saint’s circle, with the visitor’s first attempt at goal coming just 49 seconds into the match with a flashy reverse stick shot fired wide. An intrepid Wykeham team mounted on the pressure as they sent wave after wave of assaults, earning themselves a second chance two minutes into play, with a reverse stick tomahawk lifting off and flying right over the cross bar. 

Nearing three minutes into the game, Saints got possession of the ball and launched their first run down into Wykeham territory, but a synchronized defense calmly snuffed out the home teams’ effort, sending the ball back up to their forwards who led a bold counter-attack. The Wykeham Collegiate’s front line got into some space entering the circle and managed to send off a low rocket, their first threatening shot that Imi Somhlahlo, the brave keeper from St Anne’s comfortably defended. 

A burst from St Anne’s found a hole in the Wykeham defense just after 19 minutes into the final, presenting a rare opportunity with a one on one chance. Steaming for the first time into the TWC circle, the charge forward got sidetracked by nifty tackle, with the defender hitting the gas and motoring away with a sharp u-turn dousing the defending champs first possibility. 

Midway through the final, Wykeham were awarded the first short corner, an eager defender from St Anne’s was blown for an early break leaving only three players and Somhlahlo for the retake. The second short corner was sent to the castle with the striker wasting no time and fiercely knocking in her shot, but agonizingly the ball hurtled past the left post and out, resulting in a 16 and a breather for Saints. 

With time waning, Wykeham won their third short corner. The ball was ejected to the castle, trapped and then flicked goalwards. Somhlahlo reacted with cat-like reflexes putting her right paw out and evaded letting the ball beyond her and into her goals. Play ensued with the umpire halting the messy action, signaling for Wykeham’s fourth short corner. In similar fashion the ball was sent to the castle, and flicked but Saints’ first wave stormed towards the impending shooter and shielded the strike, quickly sending the play up to her forwards. 

Continuing their phenomenal form, Wykeham closed down any opportunity Saints had, not giving them any room to settle or find their feet, constantly barraging them and dominating possession. With less than three minutes on the scoreboard, the visitors flew down the right, with a magical break, running into the circle and letting rip of a swift missile that whizzed across the goal mouth. 

Thirty seconds later, back on the hunt, Wykeham’s Emily Wilson and Amy Macaskill had an awesome breakaway run. With only one defender to beat, Wilson drew them to her as she curved right and then timed her pass to Macaskill perfectly. Now in mid-circle, Macaskill with only Somhlahlo to beat balanced herself and slapped the ball right, just out of reach from the hard working Somhlahlo, netting their regional winning goal. 

The scoreline remained on 1 nil, with Wykeham being the deserved winners after a fantastic display of skills throughout the 25 minutes in the final. Earlier that day in the round robin stages, Saints were victorious in all of their games, including the dress rehearsal for the main game, beating Wykeham 2-1. But the locals ran out of steam, with the visitors digging deep wanting the win more. 

This is the second time that The Wykeham Collegiate have lifted the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The first time they were crowned champions was in 2012, and this win dethrones St Anne’s after dominating this area after a nine year winning streak, and a win in the inaugural year. 

Recognised for his efforts with the whistle, Nkanyiso Masinga from St Anne’s College was announced as the Umpire of the Day. 

The Wykeham Collegiate is the fifth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional) at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July.

The tournament moved down to Creston College the next day (Sunday 23 April) for the Sisonke and uGu Regional. Then a week’s break before travelling up to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional hosted by St Dominic’s School on Saturday 6 May.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools app or on their website. 

Round Robin Results

1 St Anne’s College 20pts; 2 The Wykeham Collegiate 16pts; 3 Howick High School 8pts; 4 Treverton College 8pts; 5 Voortrekker High School 4pts; 6 Grace College 0pts

Regional Final

St Anne’s College 0 vs The Wykeham Collegiate 1

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Central Regional Sunday 16 April

Continuing on their phenomenal winning streak, Durban Girls’ College hoisted the Durban Central Regional trophy of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for the thirteenth time at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 16 April. 

The only team in the KZN Challenge to have won 100% of their regionals, College took on host school, Durban Girls’ High School in a magnificently action-packed final that flowed all around the field from the first whistle. 

College got out of the starting blocks quickly with a reverse stick attempt in the first minute on the Girls’ High’s goals that sailed wide. Their next probe two minutes later was an attack down the right, with play being run quickly along the baseline but Girls’ High’s sturdy marking stopped the flashy maneuver, giving themselves a breather by clearing the ball. 

Less than a minute later, College was on the prowl again, with a free hit outside the circle. Swiftly College surged forward but the hosts stood firm and again did not allow the visitors any gaps to get off a shot. 

Just under 5 minutes, College earned their first short corner, the ball rocketed to the second castle and then bolted goalwards where a vigilant Divine Arinze, who was having a grand day in goals, firmly booted the shot out of danger. College’s attack pounced on the loose ball and pushed play back into the circle but Girls’ High’s defense prevented any success. 

For the next four minutes, the defending champs continuously put pressure on the Girls High goals with determined, orchestrated advances. Still the local team didn’t falter, turning away each endeavor. Girls High worked hard giving their backline a reprieve as they took the game up to College’s end penetrating into the uncharted waters of College’s circle with a stab of an effort.  

Growing in confidence, Girls High started to weave some magical movements together taking play up into Colleges half. An undeterred College attack replied earning their second short corner of the game just after 12 minutes. In a carbon copy of the first corner, the ball was injected to the second castle, and Emily Macquet sent in a low flying flick that was stopped on the line but in a lapse of concentration by the Girls’ High’s last line, the balls momentum from the flick saw it trickle over the line notching up College’s first goal. 

Seconds later, College took full advantage of Girls’ High being on the back foot after having conceded a goal, with a blitz down the middle netting their second. Hannah Hargroves achieved a superb goal, slapping the ball out of the defenders reach. 

With less than five minutes remaining College got into some space on the left, as they dashed down the sideline. In a well-choreographed crusade, first goal scorer, Macquet had a rare moment of freedom in the Girls’ High circle as she fired off a shot. The missile whizzed towards the box, Arinze managed to get a nick on the ball that ricocheted off her pads into the goals, taking the final score now to 3 nil victory. 

College join three other regional finalists who have already secured their place at the Grand Finals. Making their eleventh appearance at the main event of the Challenge, they are the defending champs having won gold last year and on four previous occasions. They join Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional); St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) and Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional). 

The tournament heads to St Anne’s School on Saturday 22 April for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional, followed by the uGu and Sisonke Regional at Creston College on Sunday 23 April.

All remaining regionals and the Grand Finals will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

Round Robin Results

1 Durban Girls’ College 24pts; 2 Durban Girls’ High School 17pts; 3 Maris Stella 14pts; 4 St Henry’s 13pts; 5 Inanda Seminary School 8pts; 6 INK Schools 4pts; 7 Port Natal School 0pts

Regional Final Result 

Durban Girls College 3 vs Durban Girls’ High School 0

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban South Regional 15 April Results

Kuswag Hoërskool defended their title in a gutsy display where they met a determined Kingsway High School team in the final of the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at 3 Schools Trust on Saturday 15 April. 

It took the hosts, Kuswag, a few minutes to settle into their stride in an action packed Toti derby. Kingsway got off to a cracker of a start pushing play up to Kuswag’s defence almost immediately after the whistle but were unable to find their players to finish off their attacks with Kuswag’s players marking well at the back. 

After 4 minutes of play, Kuswag had a glimmer of hope as they broke into the Kingsway circle, but it didn’t last long as the Kingsway defence turned play around quickly, fizzling out Kuswag’s first real attempt.

With their momentum building, Kuswag managed to turn possession in their favour, with more threatening runs down into Kingsway’s territory but the last line of Kingsway’s defence stood firm through every surge, not allowing the ball into their box. Kuswag earned two short corners in quick succession mid-way through the final but both golden opportunities sputtered allowing Kingsway time to compose themselves and continue persevering at the other end. 

Kingsway in turn found space as they stretched their legs with beautiful runs up the side lines but were just missing the magical conclusion as they got nearer the Kuswag goal line.

The final whistle blasted with both teams been unable to net any chances during the twenty minutes. The game progressed to a penalty shoot out with three players from each team stepping up to the spot with the objective of outsmarting the oppositions goalie. 

Kuswag got the ball rolling, with captain Maya Pretorius setting off first charging in and firing off her attempt that was confidently blocked by Kingsway’s Ayanda Mpila. Siphokazi Ndutshungu was first to go for Kingsway, in her attempt she also entered the circle and sent the ball goalwards but the shot was skilfully stopped and ushered away by Kuswag’s Diante Cremer’s outstretched stick. 

In the second round, Shyloh van Zyl met the boisterous advances of Mpila as she ran the ball into the circle for Kuswag but didn’t get far as the fearless keeper snubbed out her effort as soon as she got into the D. Kingsway’s second round was taken by a focused Keiyona Achary who speedily fired off her shot that agonisingly shaved past the right upright. 

An assertive Kingsway’s Mpila again bolted out of goals at the start of the third round, hindering Kuswag’s Zahnre de Beer’s attack and not allowing play to advance beyond the top of the D. Lauren Schoeman stepped up for Kingsway’s third penalty shot and similar to Achary, rolled the ball into the circle and sent the ball flying, with the same result as Achary as the ball blasted right of goal. 

The regional final moved to sudden death, Achary bravely went first and opted to change up her strategy, running play to the left as she drew Cremer off her line. With time dwindling fast, Achary now alongside the baseline, snuck the ball past Cremer. With centimeters to go before the ball crossed over the goal line, the dreaded 8 second whistle blew ending Kingsway glimmer of the all-important goal. 

Captain courageous was first to go for her team, savvy to Mpila’s enthusiasm a calm Pretorius rounded the keepers advances and continued running the ball firmly into the back of Kingsway box, clinching the game and the final in spectacular fashion. 

At the conclusion of the round robin games, both Kuswag and Kingsway were neck and neck, ending level on 14 points each. In their five games, both teams drew two and won three, with their round robin game concluding in a nil nil draw. Kuswag took pole position having scored eight goals to Kingsway’s seven in their five games. 

Two umpires were acknowledged for their hard work with the whistle, Chris Clark from Kingsway earned the title of Umpire of the Day award while New Forest High Schools Nonhlanhla Shezi was recognised as the Most Promising Umpire at the challenge.

Kuswag joins two other teams who have already secured their berth at the Grand Finals that will take place on the weekend of the 22 and 23 July at St Mary’s DSG. Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional) and St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) were the first two teams to earn their spot out of the ten regions in this challenge. 

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

Round Robin Results

1 Kuswag Hoërskool 14pts; 2 Kingsway High School 14pts; 3 Amanzimtoti High School 10pts; 4 New Forest High School 7pts; 5 Werda School 5pts; 6 Queensburgh Girls’ High School 0pts

Regional Final Result

Kuswag Hoërskool 0 (1) vs Kingsway High School 0 (0)

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Sisonke and Ugu Regional Creston College: Sunday 23 April

Passing halfway in the ten regional KZN contest, the sixth tournament of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge gets underway at Creston College which hosts schools for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on Sunday 23 April.

Ten schools will be participating in this regional, with host school Creston leading five teams in Pool A. Joining them are St Patrick’s College, Scottburgh High School, King Edward High School and Kokstad High School. In Pool B Southcity Christian School takes on Port Shepstone High School, Ixopo High School, Suid Natal Hoërskool and Bergview College. 

Exciting news for this Southern KZN regional is that the teams will be stepping onto the recently installed astro turf at Creston College. Since the inception of the tournament in 2011, the growth of schoolgirls’ hockey has boomed in all the regions of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. With the unveiling of Creston College’s new turf, this means that all ten regions in the Challenge now have access to an astro, giving them all opportunities to play a faster and more accurate game, in line with international standards.

Games get underway at 8am where Creston will take on defending champs, King Edward High School. Scores will be calculated with the winning team notching up 4 points, a draw with equal goals netting 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point and a loss zero points. 

Once the pool games are completed, the competitive cross pool playoffs will reveal the placings in this region. The gold silver game concludes a fun filled hockey day at just before 3pm. 

The Sisonke and Ugu Regional has had three winners since the tournament’s inception in 2011. Creston College has raised the trophy twice in 2021 and 2013, while Kokstad College has represented the region three times in 2011, 2014 and 2019 and the defending champs, King Edward College has won the tournament five times in the years 2015 – 2018 and 2022. 

Five teams would have confirmed their spots at the Grand Finals that will be taking place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July. The winner of the Southern KZN Regional will meet Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional Winner), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winner), the Durban South Regional winner, the Durban Central Regional Winner, and the victorious team from the PMB North Regional that takes place the day before the Creston Clash. 

All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional at St Anne’s College: 22 April

Midway through the fixtures of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, St Anne’s College hosts the fifth regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on their astros on Saturday 22 April. 

The action at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional will unfold on the two astros at St Anne’s College, with teams meeting in high energy 25 minute games that will only run one way. Six teams will be taking each other on in a round robin format. They are Grace College; Howick High School; host school and defending champs, St Anne’s College; The Wykeham Collegiate; Treverton College and Voortrekker High School. 

Featuring in the first and last round robin games, St Anne’s meets Grace College at 8am and then Treverton College in the game before the regional final. The regional final gets underway at 12.15, where the two top placed teams will meet for the second time that day. 

Teams will score 4 points if they are victorious, 2 points each if they tie their game with both teams netting the same amount of goals, 1 point each if the game concludes in a goalless draw and zero points for a loss.

Two teams have represented this region at the Grand Finals, they are one-time winners, The Wykeham Collegiate and St Anne’s College who have their school’s name engraved on the regional trophy nine times. 

The winner of the Pietermaritzburg North Regional will be the fifth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), together with two teams who will be crowned in the upcoming Durban South Regional (15 April) and Durban Central Regional (16 April), at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on the 22nd and 23rd of July.

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban Centrals Sunday 16 April

A full day of hockey gets underway at the Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at 3 Schools’ Trust Astro on Sunday 16 April.

Durban Girls’ High School will host the regional that features seven schools, including the hosts. The programme tips off at 8am, with 21 action packed games expected in a round robin format. Games will last 18 minutes one way, with a win netting the victorious team 4 points, a draw with goals ups their scorecard by 2 points, a goalless draw increases their tally by 1 point and a loss registering zero points. 

Eye firmly on the ball, Durban Girls’ College players Georgina Stephenson and Jenna Reardon are eager to participate in the upcoming Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Durban Girls’ High School will be hosting at 3 Schools Trust Astro on Sunday 16 April.

This region has been dominated by one school, Durban Girls’ College, which is the only team in the ten regions and in the history of the tournament to have a 100% regional winning streak. Not only is College the defending regional champions, but they also hoisted the trophy at the Grand Finals last year. They will come up against tough competition in this regional where they will face host Durban Girls’ High School.

In the quest for the title, joining the two Durban Girls’ teams are Inanda Seminary School; INK Schools; Maris Stella College; Port Natal School and St Henry’s Marist College. 

The winner of the Durban Central Regional will join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) and the winner of the Durban South Regional that is being played the day before the Durban Central Regional, at the Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on the 22nd and 23rd of July.

For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey)

 ENDS

Saints retain their regional Highway title in SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

The inclement weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the seven teams taking part in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that saw St Mary’s DSG triumph at Thomas More College on Sunday 12 March.

In a riveting regional final Saints met host school, Thomas More. In the first quarter, the locals did not allow the defending champs any space to get into their stride, swiftly shutting down all of their intentions. 

Just after 5 minutes of play, Saints started finding their flow as Alex Bowyer came into a bit of space as she entered the Thomas More circle and fired in a sweeping reverse stick attempt that agonizingly ricocheted off the left-hand post. 

Two minutes later, St Mary’s were awarded with the first short corner of the game. Play moved from the castle to the left, with a flamboyant shot flying high and right of the goals. A disappointing pass from the 16 yard line from Thomas More saw the visitor’s Elizabeth Anderson pounce on the ball, rushing determinedly towards the goals. Anderson looped in her shot towards the box but a quick stepping keeper, Tiaasha Naicker moved to her right and denied the goal by magically getting her stick in the way, the ball fell kindly to her feet as she nimbly booted it well clear of danger. 

Halfway through the game, Saints mounted yet another attack on the home team’s goal, in a flurry at the goalmouth the ball found the foot of a Thomas More defender boldly standing on the goal line, resulting in a penalty stroke. Anderson calmly stepped up to the spot and sent a missile low and to the left that hammered into the back of the box. Saints were now 1 nil up. 

In the last quarter, Saints earned their third short corner of the game. The ball moved rapidly from the castle, left to Zakira Jamaloodeen who shifted the ball to her left and tomahawked a rocket, netting the second goal for Saints, and sealing the win and title for the favourites. 

Captain for the winning team, Kelly Jansens ter laeck said, “It was an amazing day. It is always a hard and well fought game against Thomas More and it is always a privilege to face them. They played so well from the whistle, not allowing us any room, but we were fortunate to find some space a couple of times and were lucky enough to score twice.”

St Mary’s DSG is the second team to secure a place at the Grand Finals that will take place on their home turf in July. They join Danville Park Girls’ High School who took top honours in the Durban North Regional on Saturday. 

In back-to-back fixtures at 3 Schools Trust, the challenge continues with the Durban South Regional hosted by Kuswag Hoërskool on Saturday 15 April, followed by the Durban Girls’ High School on Sunday 16 April. 

For more info like the tournaments Facebook page or follow on Instagram. 

Round Robin Results

1 St Mary’s DSG 24 points, 2 Thomas More College 17 points, 3 Curro Hillcrest 14 points, 4 Hillcrest High School 7 points, 5 Westville High School 6 points, 6 Kloof High School 3 points, 7 Gelofte Hoërskool 1 point

END

Danville Park Girls High scoops regional trophy of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Top honours went to Danville Park Girls’ High School in the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge after their tightly fought duel against host school, Our Lady of Fatima at the Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

Up until the final whistle, spectators were kept on the edge of their seats, as the game shot from one end of the field to the other. Defending champs, Fatima fought valiantly up until the last second, throwing all of the arsenal into the all-important equaliser but Danville didn’t allow them any room or opportunity, courageously clinching onto their 1 nil lead. 

Fatima ignited their final with a first minute charge up to the Danville circle but were unable to capitalise on their early break. The hosts dominated the first quarter of the game, with a variety of attacks being thwarted by a steadfast and solid Danville defense. 

After five minutes of play, Danville’s first run up to the Fatima goal ended with a determined shot being comfortably blocked. Four minutes later, Danville earned two back to back short corners that Fatima fearlessly prevented, retaliating with a good charge up into the Danville half. 

With the countdown ticking down, and less than 8 minutes of play remaining, captain for Danville, Anqobile Nkayi was rewarded with a free hit after her solid run two thirds of the way down the right-hand side of the pitch. She swiftly got play under way, passing the ball quickly to team mate, Savanah Ferreira who managed to hot foot it into the circle around two hard working Fatima defenders. Finding herself with a bit of space, and being on the wrong foot, she niftily tapped the ball in, sneaking it beyond the right outstretched pad of the Fatima keeper.

Fatima’s flair-filled day fizzled out after they tried everything to level the score, searching over heads, quick fire passes or solid searching knocks frustratingly went amiss as a calm Danville backline sent play back up to midway, only for Fatima to try again. 

Talking after the game, Nkayi enthused, “We had such fun today. We set the tone in our first game with a 5 nil win and that flowed through the rest of our tournament. Even after our one bad game, our team were unruffled. We didn’t concede a goal throughout the day and I am delighted with our performance.”

Leading up to the regional final, both teams had good runs in their pool games. In Fatima’s four games, they won three and drew against Ashton International College, while Danville were victorious in all of their games. Both teams didn’t allow any goals in in their build up to the regional final, with only the tournament winning goal slipping past Fatima.

Coaching the Danville team for the second year, an extremely happy Matthew Smith said, “The final was a composed and simple game, I think it was the best game of the tournament for the girls. They played magnificently and deserved that win.”

No stranger to the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Ashton International College’s Gareth Bishop was presented with the Umpire of the Day award for the third time. 

This is the fourth time that Danville have hoisted the regional trophy in the 13 years since the tournament was launched. They are the first team to earn their spot at the 2023 Grand Finals that will be taking place in July at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof. 

For more info like the Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram. 

Results

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School, 2 Our Lady of Fatima

Pool Game Results

Pool A

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School 16 points, 2 Reddam uMhlanga 6 points , 3 Crawford La Lucia 6 points , 4 Curro Salt Rock 6 points, 5 Durban North College 0 points

Pool B

1 Our Lady of Fatima 13 points, 2 Ashton International College 13 points 3 Northlands Girls’ High School 5 points, 4 Reddam Ballito 2 points, Crawford North Coast 1 point

ENDS