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

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban North Regional - Saturday 11 March

An early start, Northlands Girls’ High School will meet Ashton International College in the first game of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge as they take each other on in the Durban North Regional hosted by Our Lady of Fatima at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

The first of 21 games tips off just after 7am with ten local teams heading to Riverside to participate in one of the most tightly fought regionals in this challenge. The tournament will have the ten teams split up into two pools. Pool A has Danville Park Girls’ High School joined by Curro Salt Rock, Crawford La Lucia, Durban North College and Reddam House uMhlanga and Pool B is led by hosts Fatima, with Ashton International College, Northlands Girls’ High, Crawford North Coast and Reddam Ballito.

Our Lady of Fatima first team hockey Captain Mia Liebenberg (left) and Vice-Captain Courtney Veenstra (right) are keen to get the balling rolling as the school will host the first regional of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

All the games will last 20 minutes with play only running one way. A win earns the successful team 4 points, a draw with goals sees both teams notch up 2 points, a goalless draw only a single point for both teams and finally, a loss registering zero points for the unsuccessful team.

Four teams have raised the Durban North Regional trophy, with hosts Fatima featuring the most at the Grand Finals, with their name engraved four times on the trophy. They are also the defending champs in this year’s regional. Danville Park Girls’ High has made three appearances at the conclusion to the ten regional tournament. Ashton International College dominated this region in the early days, and every year is a livewire of a threat on the turf, and most recently, Crawford La Lucia wowed fans with their fantastic flair.

In a weekend filled with exciting hockey action, the following day (12 March) the challenge heads to Thomas More College for the highly competitive Highway Regional.

All action will be streamed live on either the SuperSport Schools’ Mobile App or their website.

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

 ENDS

St John's D.S.G. win PMB Centrals of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

PMB Central Regional

St John’s D.S.G. : Sunday 6 March

A golden performance by host school St John’s D.S.G. saw them claim victory in the PMB Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday 6 March on their home turf.

After an intense regional final against defending champs, Epworth School, the yellow sticks managed to win 2-1 after 30 minutes of fantastic flowing hockey. St John’s showed their intentions when they knocked in their first goal after 180 seconds of game time. The first goal coming off a set piece in their first short corner. The ball flying in from a fiery flick but being bravely stopped by the Epworth keeper Lauren Roseveare. The ball falling favourably for St John’s Amy-Rene Jacobs who slapped it in.

Ninety seconds later, Epworth replied sending up a long ball through the middle of the field. The pass finding an unmarked Rebecca Cook who determinedly ran the ball up into the St John’s circle, and just continued while a surprised St John’s defender and an unsure keeper, both didn’t react in time as Epworth’s Cook literally ran the ball into the goal, squeezing it in between the right post and keeper.

The game intensified in the middle section, with loads of turn overs as passes didn’t find their players. Each team trying to find holes in their oppositions defence. With 5 minutes remaining, St John’s Captain, Olivia MacDonald was able to pounce on open space when she started play after being fouled. Epworth were on the back foot as she quickly took the ball up into the circle, moved it to her left and fired off a reverse stick rocket. The score line edged up to 2-1.

With three minutes left to play, Epworth earned their second short corner of the game. The home team’s defence stood strong, not allowing the visitors low flying flick to find the back of the net and surviving yet another well-co-ordinated Epworth attack.

St John’s shone brightly after a solid display throughout the day winning all the round robin games. They earned their second regional title after first winning the PMB Central Regional in 2017. The Most Promising Umpire Award went to Maritzburg Christian School’s Manqoba Mkhize.

St John’s D.S.G. from the PMB Central Regional is the third team to cement their spot at the Grand Finals. They join Pionier Hoërskool (Northern KZN Regional) and St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional). The Grand Finals takes place in July at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram. All the games will be livestreamed by SuperSport Schools.

Overall results

1 St John’s 16 points 2 Epworth School 12 points 3 PMB Girls’ High 8 points 4= Carter High School 1 point; 4= Maritzburg College 1 point

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. 

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

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge 2019 Regional Tournament Dates Announced

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

2019 Regional Tournament Dates Announced

The dates for the ninth SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge have been announced with the ten regionals taking place around KZN.

The year gets underway a week later than previous years with the usual Northern KZN regional nestling in midway on the 2019 calendar.

A bumper March has four tournaments taking place back to back over two weekends. Kicking off the year is the Pietermaritzburg Regionals. The Central and Northern Regionals of Pietermaritzburg will be played on Sunday 3 March hosted by one-time winners, St John’s D.S.G. and The Wykeham Collegiate. Saturday 9 March sees the Durban North Regional taking place at Crawford La Lucia. Durban Girls High School hosts the Durban Central Regional at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 10 March.

The fifth regional tips off the first of two tournaments taking place in April. On Sunday 7 April, Amanzimtoti will see the teams for the Durban South Regional at 3 Schools Trust. Heading further south, the challenge moves down to Port Shepstone for the Sisonke and Ugu Southern KZN Regional tournament on Saturday 13 April at host school, Creston College.

The final four tournaments all take place in May, the action moves inland to Newcastle’s St Dominic’s for the Northern KZN Regional on Saturday 4 May. Remaining inland for the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional on Saturday 11 May defending champs, Greytown High School host. Unfolding the next day, the Highway Regional will take place at Thomas More College. Wrapping up the regionals, Grantleigh will host the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Sunday 19 May.

Once all the winners are revealed at the ten regionals, the ten regional representatives converge at St Mary’s DSG two months later for the Grand Finals. The riveting Grand Finals gets underway on Saturday 20 and continues on Sunday 21 July where the ninth victorious team will be crowned.

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

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Big Derby Weekend for Hockey Pietermaritzburg- North and Central: Saturday 11 March

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Big Derby Weekend for Hockey

Pietermaritzburg- North and Central: Saturday 11 March

First girls’ hockey teams from around Maritzburg and surrounds will be taking to the pitch on Saturday 11 March to compete in the hotly contested derby for the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge.

The 12 schools taking part are divided up into the Pietermaritzburg North and Pietermaritzburg Central Regionals, with each regional having six teams. Epworth College and Hoerskool Voortrekker host the two tournaments concurrently. Epworth will host the tournament on their turf, and Voortrekker utilising the neighbouring turf at UKZN.

Holding a 100% record for the central tournament is Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High first. St Anne’s College from Hilton are the defending champions for the northern regional. Having dominated their regional, the team in blue have hoisted the trophy an impressive five out of six times in the seven years of this tournament. 

Saints will meet some strong competition in their hunt for a sixth title. They will take on hosts Voortrekker, The Wykeham Collegiate who have progressed through to the Grand Finals once, Treverton, Alexandra and Grace College. 

Under the guidance of a new coaching staff, the Green Machine are hoping to retain their fantastic record but will have a tough task as they are up against host school Epworth, Howick High, St John’s, Russell High and Maritzburg Christian School.

Both these regionals will be played in round robin format with 25 minute games, with a change over at half time.

“We are looking forward to a real festival of hockey this weekend, which will be packed with action and loads of fun,” says Tournament Director, Les Galloway. “Now in our seventh year, the tournament continues to provide opportunities for young talent to hone their skills. To be able to play against a number of schools, and learn from skills and techniques of other players, is hugely beneficial to growing the game.”

MD for SPAR KZN, Max Oliva says, “We wish all the players best of luck for these regionals, and although there is a focus on the game of hockey, we invite everyone to have fun and enjoy the spirit of playing with like-minded peers.”

The winners of these regionals will join Ferrum High School from Newcastle from who recently won the Northern KZN Regional, along with six other teams still to be decided from around KwaZulu Natal at the Grand Finals that will be hosted at St Mary’s DSG in July.

For more info like the Facebook page.

ENDS

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Pongola: Sat 25 Feb Ferrum High Claims Back Regional Title in SPAR KZN

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Pongola: Saturday 25 February

Ferrum High Claims Back Regional Title in SPAR KZN

It was a day that young hockey players had to really dig deep to sustain their games in sweltering heat in the first of the regionals in the 2017 SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge which saw Ferrum High School reclaim the Northern Regional title.

Defending champions Sarel Cilliers were unable to hold onto the cup, which they scooped from Ferrum last year, who have now been crowned champions six times in this region.

Participating teams included Newcastle High School, Ferrum High School and St Dominics also from Newcastle, Utrecht High School, Dundee High School, Vryheid High School, Pionier High School (Vryheid) and Pongola Akademie. 

The twenty-four minute games, were played in two pools with Ferrum topping the log of Pool A, meeting Pool B runners-up, host school Pongola Akademie in the first semi-final. The second semi had Pool A’s Pionier taking on Dundee, who topped Pool B.

Dundee were outright winners of their pool finishing their three games with 10 points having drawn against Pongola in the pool game. Pongola were two points behind them having drawn two of their games. 

Ferrum were clear dominators having won all of their games. The battle for second place was down to the wire with Sarel Cilliers and Pionier equal on nine points. The deciding factor was goal difference, and Pionier had to score more than two in their final game against Newcastle.

Pionier’s centre forward, Lara Dedekind, stormed down the middle of the field smashing a shot from the top of the circle landing their second needed goal in their last match to secure their place in the semis. Inspired by success the team continued to net another four more goals taking the final score to 6 – 0.

The first semi saw Pongola taking on Ferrum with Ferrum scoring their goal in the first half, and Pongola defended valiantly throughout the remainder of the game only having a few opportunities at the other end which they were not able to convert.

In the second semi-final, Dundee met Pionier for the first time in over a decade, and Dedekind netted another two for her team in between goals landed by team mates Johanette Wilken and Anlie Knoetze.

In the blazing sun, Pionier and Ferrum met for the finals with evenly matched play, as both sides had opportunities on either end. Earlier on in the day the two teams that had battled it out with Ferrum conquering Pionier 2-1. 

As the clock wound down in the final, left wing Lucrecia Struwig managed to beat the last line of the opposition’s sterling defense – goalie Lorma Janse van Rensburg to nudge the ball in. In the last minute of play, Pionier fought courageously being awarded with back-to-back short corners but were unable to equalize.

Captain of the winning team Sanelisiwe Mnguni, elated with the win said “We had to really work hard and persevere, especially when our energy levels were really low, but we held onto our motto Believe, Motivate and Communicate to get us through.”

The Most Promising Umpire was Que Mdletshe, representing Dundee High School.

Our 2017 tournament is well and truly under way with the fantastic community spirit both on and off the field, it always is a festive way to start our year.” said Les Galloway Tournament Director.

Max Oliva, Managing Director of SPAR KZN said “Well done to the teams that gave their all despite the relentless heat. We appreciate your dedication to your teams and schools, and to the camaraderie shown throughout the day.”  

Ferrum High school is the first team through to the grand finals which will be played at St Mary’s DSG in Durban at the end of July.

For more info like the Facebook page.

Results:

1 Ferrum High School, 2 Pionier High School, 3 Dundee High School, 4 Pongola High School, 5 Sarel Cilliers High School, 6 Vryheid High School, 7 St Dominics College, 8 Utrecht High School, 9 Newcastle High School

-ends