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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

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 Central Regional 10 March

Seven teams take to the fields for the upcoming Pietermaritzburg Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday 10 March, hosted by Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. 

Game faces. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School’s Leboga Molale and Siyamthanda Majikijela gear up to hosts teams for the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge’s Pietermaritzburg Central Regional at the UKZN fields on Sunday 10 March. Pic by Val Adamson

Meeting on the UKZN astro, the fixtures follow the tournament’s familiar style with a round robin format of 21 quick fire games lasting 18 minutes each of running time. The challenge gets underway at 8am. The local schools participating are Alexandra High School, Carter High School, Epworth School, Maritzburg Christian School, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, Russell High School and St John’s D.S.G..

Tipping off the fun-filled day, the first game features Carter High School and Russell High School. Points will be awarded after each game, to the winning team they will earn 4 points, if both teams draw having scored an equal amounts of goals, they will each earn 2 points. For a goalless draw, each team will walk away with 1 point and for the losing team, zero points will be registered on their tally. 

The two top teams will then face off in a much anticipated regional final. The Pietermaritzburg Central Regional has produced three teams that have gone on to represent their area at the conclusion for the competitive teams - the Grand Finals. Both the host of this regional - Epworth School, and St John’s D.S.G. have appeared twice at the Grand Finals, while Epworth also won in 2020, the disrupted CoViD year which had no Grand Final. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School dominated the region with six successive victories in a row when the tournament began in 2011, and they were crowned champion last year so are this year’s defending champs. 

 Two teams will have secured their ticket at this year’s Grand Finals by 10 March. So far a team from the Durban Central Regional (played on 2 March) and a second team representing the Pietermaritzburg North Regional would have been crowned the day before the PMB Central Regional plays out. All the regional champions will head to St Mary’s D.S.G. to compete in an action-packed two days of top schoolgirls’ hockey at the Grand Finals.

Adding to this year’s challenge, scouts from eta College will be at each of the regionals, watching potential players that they can offer a bursary to their Durban Campus. The bursary will be presented at the Grand Finals. 

 For more info like the tournament’s 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 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 2024 Challenge Dates Announced

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

2024 Challenge Dates Announced for Popular Hockey Regionals

Entering the tournament’s 14th year, dates for the 2024 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been announced.

Up for grabs. Pictured holding the trophy that will be won at the Grand Finals in are Nomfundo Shezi (Sponsorship Controller and Events, SPAR KZN), Nozipho Mkhize (Advertising and Sponsorship Manager, SPAR KZN) and Les Galloway (Tournament Director and Head of Hockey, SchoolGirl Sport).

The tournament that began in 2011 has fast become a firm favourite for young hockey players. Close to 75 girls’ first teams from high schools around KwaZulu-Natal will take to the various hockey fields to compete in the compact and exciting ten regionals in the build-up to the Grand Finals that takes place in July.

The much-anticipated schoolgirls’ annual hockey challenge kicks off with Maris Stella hosting the first tournament, the Durban Central Regional, on Saturday 2 March at Durban High School’s impressive blue astro turf - a new venue for this regional.

Back-to-back action in Pietermaritzburg will be hosted by the two defending regional champs:  on Saturday 9 March, The Wykeham Collegiate welcome teams participating in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional to their home turf, while Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School hosts teams for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional at the UKZN fields on Sunday 10 March.

Another action-packed weekend features the Durban North Regional that takes place at Curro Salt Rock, in Ballito on Saturday 16 March, and the highly competitive Highway Regional at Westville Girls’ High School the next day, Sunday 17 March.

Tipping off the April tournaments, New Forest High School hosts the Durban South Regional at the 3 Schools Trust astro turf, in Glenwood on Saturday 6 April. A week later, heading north, Grantleigh College  is the venue for the North Coast Regional. The defending champs will host schools from Richards Bay and surrounds on Saturday 13 April. Concluding the April action, St Patrick’s College in Kokstad will be a hive of hockey activity on Saturday 20 April for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional.

The penultimate tournament, the uMvoti and oThukela Regional travels to Greytown High on Saturday 4 May. Wrapping up the ten regionals, the KZN Northern Regional commences at Ferrum Hoërskool in Newcastle on Saturday 11 May.

All of the regional champions will head to the tournament’s exciting conclusion – the Grand Finals. The top ten teams will take to the turf at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 20 and 21 July.

Offering a lucky hockey player a golden opportunity, eta College will be joining forces with the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge awarding a one year bursary at the Durban Campus. Eta College has nine campuses around South Africa, focusing on education for fitness, sport and recreational needs. The big reveal will take place at the Grand Finals where the fortunate young woman will be presented with this phenomenal opportunity.

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

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

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge KZN Southern Regional Kokstad College: 10 September

It was all one-way traffic for a slick Shayamoya Area Secondary School in their victory against host school, Kokstad College at the KZN Southern Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge on Saturday 10 September.

The young team from Shayamoya ended their tournament with a determined performance, basketing 27 goals and not allowing Kokstad College any chances on the opposite side. The defenders often predicting which way the play would be sent, and easily intercepting, taking the play quickly back up to College’s hoop. 

The towering goal scorer, Mbali Diphoko, the Captain for Shayamoya stood head and shoulders above her opponents. Camped out directly under the net for three quarters of the game, she was fed loads of opportunities as she calmly took aim, and fired off countless points during her teams successful day on the court. 

At half time, the inform Shayamoya were 13 nil up, affording a bold move by a confident coach, Sthembele Matshingani, who rang out various substitutions midway through the second half. With nothing to lose, the fresh new attack took daring chances shooting for goals, with some adventurous and exciting shots floated towards the net from just inside the circle.

In the build up to the regional final, Shayamoya met travelling team, King Edward High School in their semi final and dominated that, with the final score 20 to 6. While Kokstad College had to work hard against Mthatha High School as their semi concluded with the score on 6 all. Kokstad College were lucky enough to advance to the regional final as they had a higher goal percentage. 

The star team of the day began on a high note with their first win in the challenge with the score on 24-1, taking on Carl Malcomes High School. Shayamoya continued their shooting prowess, accumulating a remarkable total of 146 points throughout the seven games in the round robin phase, and only letting 15 goals in. 

In their earlier meeting in the round robin game, Shayamoya beat Kokstad College 15-3. Learning from the dress rehearsal for the final, Shayamoya stepped up a gear in all aspects of their game.

After the tournament, Coach Matshingani said, “It has been a while that we have been able to play in a netball tournament, and this is our first Fast 5s. We had a brilliant, enjoyable day, overall it was a great tournament for us to play against so many different teams.”

Continuing, Matshingani shared, “We have a young team, no one is older than 15 years. They are dedicated, committed, good players and every time they step onto the court, they take things seriously.”

The next tournament heads to Hillcrest High School for the Highway Regional on Saturday 17 September, then a break before the final challenge taking place at Voortrekker Hoërskool for the Pietermaritzburg Regional on Saturday 15 October.

All the games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools Mobile App or website. For more info follow the tournament on Instagram or like the Facebook page. 

Medal Game

1 Shayamoya A.S.S.; 2 Kokstad College

Round Robin Results

1 Shayamoya A.S.S. 21 points; 2 Kokstad College 18 points; 3 Mthatha High School 15 points; 4 King Edward High School 9 points; 5 Carl Malcomes High School 9 points; 6 Ixopo High School 6 points; 7 Mt Currie High School 6 points; 8 St Thomas Residential School 0 points

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Challenge Northern KZN Regional 27 August


It was a joyous celebration for Dundee High School as they were crowned champions of the KZN Northern Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Challenge that took place at Ferrum High School on Saturday 27 August.

 

Dundee met Vryheid’s hard-working Pionier Hoërskool in the regional final that concluded with Dundee netting 10 points to Pionier’s 7. 

 

Pionier got the final underway with Cay-Li Birkenstock scoring the game’s first goal just 22 seconds in. 19 seconds later, Thandolwethu Buthelezi equalised at the other end for Dundee. The first quarter of the final ping-ponged between the two poles, with Pionier powering down their favoured left side and scoring then Dundee sending play right back up and equalising. 

Nearing 4 minutes left in the first half, Dundee missed their chance to equalize giving Pionier the edge with the scoreline sitting at 4-3. Birkenstock adding two more to her tally and Simone van Jaarsveld getting her name on the scorers’ card. Both teams went into a dry spell with attempts on either end frustratingly hitting the rim or being intercepted. 

 

Dundee broke the spell with 99 seconds left of the half as Buthelezi snatched the ball mid-air with her long right arm, and calmly popped the ball through the hoop, levelling the score at 4 all. 90 seconds later, she again magiced up a one-handed mid-air retrieval and confidently deposited the ball through the hoop for her, and Dundee’s fifth goal. 

 

Pionier opened up the second half with van Jaarsveld earning her team’s fifth, 87 seconds in. Pionier dominated the next 90 seconds of play with several bursts up to Dundee’s goals but were unable to find the center of hoop. Dundee’s Buthelezi got another opportunity taking the lead again, and 50 seconds later she added another point for her team. With just over 3 minutes until the final whistle, Mele Erlank managed to net Pionier’s sixth goal to Dundee’s seven. 

 

Two quick fire goals by Buthelezi saw the Dundee girls get a bounce in their step as their confidence began to soar. Captain for Dundee, Zinita Oosthuizen up’ed her game at the back, with two towering challenges as she leaped into the air, solidly knocking down Pionier’s looping attempts. Erlank managed to find a gap and net her second taking Pionier’s final score to 7, while Dundee wrapped up the game with 10 points, all scored by Buthelezi.

 

Dundee’s Oosthuizen said after the game, “The final was very challenging, Pionier are a tough team to beat but we are thankful that we had the ability to play against them and took the win. I am so blessed to have a team like mine.”

 

In their earlier round robin meeting, an undefeated Pionier took the win in a low scoring game 4 to 1. 

 

Coach for Dundee, Smangaye Nkwanyana stated, “Today was hard, we came into the tournament being slightly unfit as our season had wrapped up and the girls have been concentrating on exams, but all in all we are happy. Taking on Pionier again, having lost to them in the round robin, was tough. We were nervous going in but dug deep and did our best with our youngest in the team, 15 year old Thandolwethu doing so well.”

 

The fifth regional heads down to Kokstad College for the KZN Southern Regional on Saturday 10 September. All games will be live streamed on the SuperSport Schools mobile app or their website. 

 

Medal Game

1 Dundee High School, 2 Pionier Hoërskool

 

Round Robin Results

1 Pionier Hoërskool 21 points, 2 Dundee High School 18 points, 3 Ferrum Hoërskool 15 points, 4 Newcastle High School 10 points, 5 Sarel Cilliers School 9 points, 6 Amajuba District School 4 points, 7 Amajuba School 3 points, 8 St Dominic’s 2 points

 

ENDS

 


Durban Girls’ College claim Durban North Regional title in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge

SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Challenge

Durban North College: Saturday 13 August

 

Durban Girls’ College claim the inaugural Durban North Regional title in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge that took place at Durban North College on Saturday 13 August. 

 

In a fast-flowing game, College took on Danville Park Girls’ High School in the regional final. College opened their account with a well-crafted, goal from right under the hoop by XYZ, after a nifty pass by xyz. Danville responded on the other side with a calm shot being netted by XYZ. The game yo-yo’d for a patch as one team progressed by scoring, only for the opposition to level the scoreline shortly after. 

 

Nearing the end of the first half, College pulled slightly away with two back-to-back goals, giving them an advantage of 6 goals to Danville’s 4 going into half time. 

 

Danville were first to score in the second half, edging the score up to 6-5 in favour of College, but then College dominated the next ninety seconds of play and took their tally up to 8-5. Danville pushed hard, sending up short, sharp bursts of play into the College circle but were unable to reel in the 3 point deficit. College’s signature long passes were always a decisive response to Danville’s fast attacks, and again the score stepped up with both teams firing in a goal, and then another goal being recorded on the other side. 

 

With time almost up, College took the game further away from Danville with the last passage of play seeing College basketing three more quick fire goals, taking the score to 14-8 at the full-time whistle. 

 

In the semi-finals, Durban Girls’ College met host school, Durban North College and dominated the game with an 18-2 victory. Durban Girls’ College’s players towered over their opponents, not giving Durban North College a lot of space under the net. Danville took on Crawford La Lucia in their semi-final and in a very even matched game, took the win 10-8, with both teams only scoring three goals each in the second half. 

 

Captain for Durban Girls’ College, Tanna de Freitas stated, “It was a great tournament with some amazing competition. I am very proud of everyone here today, especially my team.” 

 

Durban Girls’ College were invited to play in the week leading up to the tournament as one of the confirmed local teams, sadly had to withdraw. 

 

De Freitas continued, “We were a late entry for this tournament so winning today was a bit of a surprise but the whole experience was very enjoyable.”

 

Coach for Durban Girls’ College, Annie Nurcombe said, “The tournament was very professionally run. It was really refreshing to play a fast 5s tournament, we haven’t played for a long time and the competition was brilliant and the umpires were amazing and I thank you all for your contribution and this opportunity.”

 

Coach for Danville Park Girls’ High School, former Protea’s netball player, Precious Mthembu said, “I think the girls improved as the games went on. It was the first time for them playing fast 5s. Thank you to SPAR and the team that put this event together, it was an opportunity for the girls to play again as a team. This tournament was a good measure to see how Danville have been doing. We played College earlier in the season and the difference was huge, and now to get a 14-8 loss against them shows that our team has improved a lot. Some wonderful netball was played today by all the teams, especially after the long CoViD break. Well done to everyone here today.”

 

The next tournament takes place at Southcity Christian School on Saturday 20 August where teams will participate in the KZN South Coast Regional. All games will be live-streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or on their website. 

 

END

 


SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Challenge 2022 KZN Dates Announcement

After a CoViD break, SPAR KZN is excited to get back onto the courts with the announcement of the dates for their second SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s Netball Challenge. 

This year the fast-paced Fast 5s tournament will venture to seven regions instead of the previous four from the inaugural challenge in 2019. Getting the 2022 tournament underway with the KZN North Coast Regional, host school Empangeni High School welcomes teams from their area on Saturday 30 July. 

August sees three tournaments, the first at Durban North College where teams will meet for the Durban North Regional on Saturday 13 August, followed by the KZN South Coast Regional at Southcity Christian School on Saturday 20 August and then heading inland to Ferrum Hoërskool for the KZN Northern Regional on Saturday 27 August.

Kokstad College welcomes teams for the KZN Southern Regional on Saturday 10 September, followed by the Highway Regional at Hillcrest High School on Saturday 17 September. Rounding off the challenge is the midlands’ schools meeting at Voortrekker Hoërskool for the Pietermaritzburg Regional on Saturday 15 October.

The running of the programme will differ slightly from region to region, depending on the number of schools and if the hosts will run games in a round robin or pool game format. The coaches can give instructions from the sideline during play, and they have an unlimited allowance for substitutions. Eight players can represent each team, with coaches ensuring five players are constantly on the court – Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Centre (C), Goal Defence (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK).

Previous winners from the first year, back to defend their titles are Hillcrest High in the Highway / Durban Regional; St Anne’s College in the Pietermaritzburg Regional; Tholokuhle High School in the KZN North Coast Regional and Creston College in the KZN South Coast Regional 

With all netball eyes turning their attention to Cape Town for next year’s 2023 Netball World Cup, these ‘hoopful’ youngsters taking to the courts in the SPAR Challenge will dream and aspire to one day be representing their country at its highest level in years to come. 

Games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport School’s Mobile App and website. 

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

ENDS

Action packed weekend ahead in Pietermaritzburg with SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

PMB Central and PMB North Regionals

St Anne’s College: Saturday 5 March and St John’s D.S.G.: Sunday 6 March

The SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge moves to Pietermaritzburg for the two highly competitive regionals at the beginning of March, with the exciting news that SuperSport Schools will be live streaming from both schools on the day.

St Anne’s College will host the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on their turfs on Saturday 5 March. They will be joined by five other teams in the sixteen game round robin tournament. Getting the weekend started will be hosts and defending champs, St Anne’s taking on Grace College on the lower astro. At the same time, Howick High School will meet Treverton School on the upper astro. The second game on the lower field sees The Wykeham Collegiate against Voortrekker High School.


The games at St Anne’s will all be 25 minutes one way with a five minute breather between games. The winner of each game will earn four points. A draw with goals will amount to two points and a goalless draw earning each team one point. The finals will be played at 12.15 and will feature the first placed and second placed teams from the round robin.

The following day, the action moves to St John’s D.S.G. astro, who are celebrating their 125th birthday this year. St John’s will host the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 6 March welcoming four local schools.

Defending Champs, Epworth School meets Girls’ High School in the first game of the day. Carter High School then take on Maritzburg Christian School in the second with the hosts meeting Epworth in the third round robin game.

All games will be half and hour, with a quick one minute half time and change of play at fifteen minutes. Similarly to the St Anne’s format, a win earns the victorious team four points, a draw with goals two points and a goalless draw only one point.

The PMB Northern Regional has had only two victorious teams, one time winners The Wykeham Collegiate were crowned in the inaugural year and since then, St Anne’s College have dominated. The PMB Central Regional has seen three schools raise the regional trophy and advance to the Grand Finals. Girls’ High dominated the earlier days of the tournament with Epworth and St John’s doing battle most recently.

All the regional winners from around KZN will head to Kloof to compete against each other in the Grand Finals. This year, the Grand Finals takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G. over the weekend of 23 and 24 July. The first team to earn a spot at this year’s finals are Pionier Hoërskool from the Northern KZN Regional. They have won the last tournament in 2020 but have yet to participate in a Grand Final.

Links and info for the live coverage will be shared on the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ social media platforms in the build up to the regionals.

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

ENDS

Fixtures for the Durban Central Regional Durban Girls’ High School Sunday 16 May

Fixtures for the Durban Central Regional

Durban Girls’ High School Sunday 16 May

 

Coming up to midway in the fixtures of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Durban Girls’ High School host the Durban Central Regional at their 3 Schools Astro on Sunday 16 May.

 

Girls High welcomes five teams from in and around the CBD, including Inanda Seminary, the INK team, St Henry’s Marist College, Maris Stella and Durban Girls’ College.

 

Getting the day underway, St Henry’s will meet the INK team in the first game of the regional. All games will have a duration of 20 minutes, with play going only one way. A win notches up four points, a draw with goals earns two points and a goalless draw adding one point. 

 

Concluding the round robin tournament, the two top teams will meet each other in the regional final. If, by the end of the 20 minutes, the teams are all level, then the game will move to an exciting 8 second penalty shoot out to decide the overall winner.

 

One team has completely dominated this area, the only team to have a 100% record in the ten years of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Challenge. Durban Girls’ College is the solitary name to have been engraved on the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011. In the take two of the tournament’s milestone celebratory ‘tenth’ year, five schools will be keen to change this history, and see their name included. 

 

The winner of the Durban Central Regional joins Danville Park Girls’ High, winners of the Durban North Regional, Wembley College from the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional, and St Mary’s D.S.G. from the Highway Regional.

 

Please note, no supporters are allowed pitch-side under the current government regulations.

 

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

 

ENDS

Results Highway Regional SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge- 9 May

Wrap Up for Highway Regional

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

St Mary’s D.S.G. have done it again, claiming the Highway Regional title for the ninth time after a spectacular display at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 9 May.

Photo by Val Adamson

Photo by Val Adamson

Throughout the day, Saints played a magnificent flowing and controlled game, dominating all of their games and knocking in 27 goals in their six games. In the regional final, they met host school, Curro Hillcrest, who played out of their boots in the round robin stages, earning themselves a berth against the defending champs. 

 

Heading into the final, both teams went head to head in their last round robin game. St Mary’s camped out for majority of the game in the Curro half, and peppered Curro’s keeper with wave after wave of attacks. Asanda Makhunga stood tall in the goals, denying Saints surges. Four fantastic goals did manage to sneak beyond Makhunga giving the visitors a 4-0 win in the game. 

 

In the final, Saints continued their relentless advances but Curro’s defenders held strong. The first charge at goal was 31 seconds into the game, two St Mary’s players drove downfield, with a powered pass gliding just out of reach of the support player running onto the ball, and rolling out of play. 

 

Nearing 4 minutes, Gemma Wood confidently strode into the Curro circle, stepping into a perfectly crafted reverse stick shot that flew into the net, giving Saints their first goal. Curro knuckled down, and with their sticks to the turf pushed back for over 8 minutes, not allowing any of the constant barrages through. In the period of Curro’s resistance, home team defender, Karla Roberts was a wizard with her stick on the baseline, magically stopping, not one but three rockets smacked in during three consecutive short corners. Roberts, situated on the baseline, quietly halted the balls flight, controlling and clearing it quickly out of the danger zone.

 

With the clock on 12 and a half minutes, Louisa Combrink hit the ball in for their sixth short corner, from the castle, they shifted play wide, with a quick tap pass finding Combrink who was now posted in front of goals. The wily player, finding a hole in the defense, slapped the ball in for St Mary’s second. 

 

Their third goal was also a set piece during a short corner. Combrink sent the ball to the castle, and again, they shifted the ball wide and then the ball moved into the centre of the circle, finding Dominque Carbonel who neatly pocketed in another goal. Concluding the game, the fourth goal pinballed around the circle until landing with Daniella De Oliveria who managed to gently tap in out of Makhunga’s reach.

 

Coach for St Mary’s Nolwazi ‘Chicken’ Nkabinde stated after the game, “It is really good to be back. We missed the action, and this tournament. My girls displayed fantastic skills today, something they can be proud of after the break. And we want to say thank you to our competitors, without them today would not have been possible. Well done to all for a brilliant day of hockey.”

 

Highway’s St Mary’s join Danville Park Girls High School from the Durban North Regional and Wembley College from Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional as regional winners.

 

This weekend the tournament heads to Richards Bay where Grantleigh hosts the North Coast Regional, and then back to Durban for the Durban Central Regional where Durban Girls High School hosts teams at their 3 Schools Trust. 

 

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

 

ENDS

Highway Regional

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

1 St Mary’s DSG, 2 Curro Hillcrest, 3 Thomas More College, 4 Hillcrest High School , 5 Westville Girls High School, 6 Kloof High School

 

 

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey - Fixtures for Highway Regional Sunday 9 May

Looking forward to the upcoming SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Curro Hillcrest’s Nikita Gironi (Captain) and Asanda Makhunga (Vice Captain) look forward to welcoming teams for the Highway Regional on their turf this Sunday (9 May).

Pic by Rogan Ward

Fixtures for Highway Regional

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

In the third of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, teams from around the Highway area will congregate at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 9 May.

Host school, Curro Hillcrest will get the ball rolling in the first game of their tournament where they face Kloof High School. Joining them on the turf on the day are Hillcrest High School, St Mary’s DSG, Thomas More College and Westville Girls’ High School.

In one of the most competitive regions in KZN, the six teams will battle it out in the hopes of dethroning St Mary’s DSG who have had a stronghold raising the regional trophy on all but one occasion over the last nine years. Fifteen quick-fire games, with a duration of 20 minutes, will result in the two top teams meeting to conclude the round robin tournament.

Scoring points on the day, a win will earn a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point. In the final, if the game ends with a draw, three players from each team will head to the circle for a deciding 8 second penalty shoot-out.

Danville Park Girls’ HIgh from the Durban North Regional lifted the trophy victoriously in the first tournament in the milestone celebratory tenth year. Teams from the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional meet the day before the Highway Regional at Wembely College and then the remaining seven regionals roll out in quick succession around KZN in the next five weeks.

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

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Take Two of the Tenth Year

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Take Two of the Tenth Year

 

The hugely popular SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge is back on track this year, with a take two of their milestone tenth year. 

 

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Having only progressed halfway through the fixtures last year, before CoViD paused play in the tournament’s celebratory year, it will be extremely exciting for the girls to get back onto the turf. It is full steam ahead for the annual girls’ hockey tournament with the ten regional tournaments rolling out in a quick-fire six weekends. 

 

The month of May is choc-a-block full of action with eight of the regionals taking place. Tipping off the season, Crawford La Lucia hosts the Durban North Regional on Sunday 2 May. The second tournament travels inland to Wembley College in Greytown for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional on Saturday 8 May. Curro Hillcrest will see teams from the Highway area taking to their turf on Sunday 9 May. 

 

The fourth tournament heads up to Richards Bay for the KZN Northern Coastal Regional with Grantleigh hosting on Saturday 15 May. Back in Durban, the fifth tournament heads to the newly laid turf at Durban Girls’ High School’s Three Schools Trust for the Durban Central Regional on Sunday 16 May.  The following weekend, the action moves inland again, this time to Newcastle to play on the brand new astro at Ferrum High School on Saturday 22 May. 

 

The last two tournaments in May are a double-header in Hilton on Saturday 29. St Anne’s College welcomes teams participating in both the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional and Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

 

Kingsway High School will host the ninth challenge at the Three Schools Trust for the Durban South Regional on Sunday 6 June. Rounding off the 2021 season, King Edward High School will host the tenth and final regional on Sunday 12 June hosting teams from the Southern KZN 

 

The only difference in this year’s fixtures is the absence of the much-loved and highly anticipated Grand Finals. It will be back in all its grandeur next year. 

 

Tournament Director, Les Galloway from Schoolgirl Sport said, “We have really missed the action. It has been just over a year since the curtain came down on us, and I cannot wait to see the girls back on the pitch enjoying these wonderful SPAR tournaments.”

 

Making a welcome return, Varsity College continues their phenomenal support of girls’ hockey. Varsity College Scouts will be on the lookout at all of the tournaments for any shining stars, in the hopes of offering them a bursary.

 

All CoViD protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of all participating. And due to current CoViD regulations and protocols, no spectators will be allowed.

 

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

 

ENDS

 



 

Results - SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge PMB North and Centrals Results

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Pietermaritzburg Central and North Regionals

St Anne’s College: Saturday 14 March

 

On Saturday 14 March, two more teams earned places at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. First to secure their place was host school, St Anne’s College who were victorious in the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional followed by Epworth School in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

 

In a repeat of their round robin clash, St Anne’s met Howick High School in a 7-nil victory for the Pietermaritzburg North title. The two teams faced each other in their first game of their regionals. Howick High then knuckled down and dusted off their loss, going up against Voortrekker High School and Grace College. 

 

Howick ran out of steam after playing a pearler against one-time winner, The Wykeham Collegiate in the last game of the round robin. Howick defended like pros letting in an early Wykeham goal, midway through the round robin game, they had an opportunity down the other side which they made sure they knocked in to equalize. The remainder of the game they held strong, not allowing Wykeham any space giving them a chance to have a run in the final against St Anne’s.

 

St Anne’s opened their account with a spin and slot in from Lusanda Mtshali, who netted the first with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Racking up the goals after Mtshali started the ball rolling, Gabbi Benkenstein scored two, Storm Veenstra added one to her teams tally and Georgie Romer-Lee knocked in a magnificent hat-trick of goals.

 

In the Central Regional, Epworth kept a clean sheet in their six games. The second team to make it to the regional final was decided on goal difference. Both Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High and St John’s D.S.G. had near-mirror image results. With wins for both against Russel High School, Alexandra High School and Carter High School. Both went down to Epworth 1 nil and drew nil nil in the game against each other. The goal difference was the decider with Girls’ High netting a total of 21 goals and St John’s 20.

 

In the second Epworth Girls’ High game, Epworth owned the territory with 90% of play taking place in the Girls’ High half. Epworth persevered with their attacks throughout the twenty minutes but the last line of defence, keeper Manelisi Gwala was defiant. Deflecting missiled flicks from short corners, warding away rockets with magnificent soccer skills, she held strong.

 

In a last gasp attack, Epworth’s Fia de Bruyn hugged the post as she deflected the ball from a determined pass from the right. On the whistle, Epworth managed to win the game and the regional title for the third time. The defending champs reactions were electric amid a brewing electric storm above.

 

Two umpires were acknowledged for their determined efforts with the whistle throughout the day, Solulwe Bless from the Central Regional and Lorimer O’Bree from Howick High for North Regional.

 

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

 

Results

Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional

1 St Anne’s College, 2 Howick High School, 3 The Wykeham Collegiate, 4 Voortrekker High School, 5 Grace College

 

Pietermaritzburg Central Regional

1 Epworth School, 2 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, 3 St John’s D.S.G., 4 Carter High School, 5 Alexandra High School, 6 Russel High School, 7 Maritzburg Christian School

 

ENDS

 

 

New Netball Challenge for Schoolgirls - thanks to SPAR

SPAR Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge

KwaZulu-Natal

 

Building on the highly successful hockey tournaments, SPAR KZN are proud to announce, in association with SchoolgirlSport (SGS), the exciting and brand new SPAR Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Tournament that tips off this August.

 

The hockey tournament that got rolling in KZN nine years ago is now a popular highlight on the national schools sporting calendar. Complementing it, this netball challenge will begin with four tournaments this year in four regions, with the intention of twelve teams taking to the courts in each area.

 

Netting the first tournament, Amanzimtoti will be hosting at the Kuswag High School courts, which will have teams from around Durban on Saturday 3rd August, followed by Southcity Christian School in Margate hosting teams in the Southern KZN areas on Saturday 24th August. Empangeni High School will host Northern Coastal area on Saturday 31 August, and Voortrekker will host the final tournament with the Pietermaritzburg schools on Saturday 5th October.

 

The running of the programme will differ slightly from region to region, depending on the number of schools and if the hosts will run games in a round robin or pool game format. In the first tournament, Toti’s games will last an action packed 15 minutes each with the 11 teams playing a round robin, the match will have two 6 minute halves with a 2 minute break and 1 minute change over time allocation.

 

The coaches can give instructions from the sideline during play, and they have an unlimited allowance for substitutions. Ten players can represent each team, with coaches ensuring five players are constantly on the court – Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Centre (C), Goal Defence (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK).

 

Schools participating in the inaugural tournament are Hillcrest High School, Kuswag High School, Amanzimtoti High School, Northlands Girls’ High School, Rossburgh High School, Durban North College, Durban Girls’ High School, Kingsway High School, KwaMakhutha High School, Gelofte High School and Ridgepark College.

 

This new tournament rides the crest of the wave of excitement around netball in SA as after the Proteas finished fourth in the 15th Netball World Cup after a sensational and thrilling world cup campaign. During the World Cup, the Mayor of Liverpool handed over the Netball Federation Flag to the upcoming host for the 2023 Netball World Cup, Cape Town.

 

Max Oliva, MD of SPAR KZN stated, “Signaling the start of an exciting journey for young netball players around South Africa, tournaments such as our SPAR Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Tournament opens up a whole world of potential for so many talented, unearthed players from outlying areas that dream of wearing the green and gold.”

 

Director of SchoolGirlSport, Les Galloway enthused, “We are so looking forward to getting this tournament up-and-running, it has the opportunity to grow and make a real impact on our future netball stars. Who knows, young women participating in the inaugural Fast 5’s could be representing our country at the 2023 World Cup.”

 

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

 

#SPARKZN #CenterPass #ThisIsNetball #MakeYourMove

 

ENDS