Wartburg Kirchdorf School
In their sixth appearance at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Wartburg Kirchdorf School ended ninth overall in the KZN tournament.
After missing last year, the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winners came up against some serious opposition in their pool games on the first day. They were drafted in the same pool as defending champions, St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional Winners), 2018 bronze medalists Epworth School (PMB Central Regional Winners) and travelling teams Ferrum High School from Newcaslte (Northern KZN Regional Winners) and Kokstad College (Southern KZN Regional Winners).
After a crushing start to their weekend, going down 6 nil against the defending champs, St Mary’s – the young team featuring no matric pupils drew their second game 1 all against Ferrum. Kokstad managed to get one up against the usually tight defence. In their last pool game, Wartburg took another knock with a 2 nil lose against eventual fourth placed Epworth.
Coach for Wartburg, Lisa Misselhorn enthused, “We are so thrilled to be back at the Grand Finals. It was an amazing, challenging and fun weekend with great team work and commitment. Spirits were high and everyone enjoyed the fantastic standard of hockey.”
In the cross pool playoff, Wartburg took on the south coast school, Amanzimtoti High School representing the Durban South Region. With efficient German tactics, the travelling team managed to get one goal finishing ninth overall.
Continuing, Misselhorn shared, “Overall we are incredibly content with our position as a young, up-and-coming team from a small and amazing school. Thank you to all sponsors and organisers and we look forward to the tenth year of this wonderful tournament.”
Wartburg Kirchdorf – Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Winner - Fifth (2016), Sixth (2015), Seventh (2017), Eighth (2013), Ninth (2014, 2019)