Merrifield laser-focused ahead of Border Schools Day
After a promising start to their season at last week’s Ooskus Gimnasium Festival, Merrifield College wants to up the ante at the Border Schools Day, which takes place at Stirling High School, in East London, on Saturday.
The side, coached by the experienced, Antonet Louw, began the 2025 season with two narrow defeats and a victory last week.
They went down 0-1 to both Stirling High and Clarendon High School for Girls but beat Ooskus 2-0. They’ll be aiming to build some momentum on Saturday.
They’ll play three matches, against Ooskus, Clarendon, and Cambridge High School at the event, which has been organised by the Border Schools Hockey Association to help sides prepare for the season.
Coach Louw outlined Merrifield’s plans for the weekend: “Our main focus this week is to strengthen team cohesion and communication, ensuring everyone understands their roles and supports each other on the field,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“Fitness will be key, so we’ll work on maintaining energy and consistency throughout the matches. We’ll also fine-tune our set plays to ensure better execution under pressure.
“We want to build mental toughness, helping the team stay resilient and composed in challenging situations, which will set us up well for the Greg Beling Festival and the rest of the season.”
Many in the Border region consider Merrifield an underdog, but the school’s hockey programme has made significant strides in recent years. The 2025 season presents an opportunity for coach Louw and her team to cause some upsets.
The team is a mixture of experience and youth, with only four players in matric, while six are in Grade 10. Five players will be representing the 1st XI for the first time.
“We’re in a rebuilding phase, but it’s also about developing and harnessing the potential of these younger players,” Louw said.
“The experienced players, especially the matrics, are stepping up to guide and mentor the younger girls, while we work on building chemistry and consistency as a team.
“It’s a balancing act, focusing on growth and development but also building on the solid foundation we have. It’s an exciting time for improvement and laying the groundwork for the future.”
Saturday’s games will be the final competitive matches for Merrifield before they run out in the Greg Beling Festival next weekend.
The side will be co-captained by four experienced players: Alex Viljoen, Leilah du Plessis, Tariro Chinamasa, and Kyra Strauss.
“I’m expecting a tough challenge from the teams we’ll be facing,” Coach Louw said of Saturday’s schedule. “Most likely, they’ll bring a high level of intensity and solid tactics, so we’ll need to be prepared for strong opposition, especially with our younger players still gaining experience.
“I expect teams to test our defensive structure, put pressure on our set plays, and exploit any gaps in our game.
“It will be crucial for us to stay composed, stick to our game plan, and adapt quickly to whatever challenges come our way,” she concluded.
Players in the Merrifield side to keep an eye on include Crystal Kruger, who is adept at cracking defensive lines and creating opportunities.
Co-captain, Chinamasa’s speed on the right side will be an asset, while Ambesa Jacob‘s skills will be key in eliminating players in one-on-one situations.
In the midfield, Lexi Viljoen, Strauss, and Du Plessis will aim to control the flow of the game.
Defensively, Sarah-Jane Mouton is considered rock solid, while Taylor Emslie will protect the cage.
Merrifield’s challenge begins at 09:00 against Ooskus Gimnasium.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 15 February
08:00 – Clarendon vs Stirling High; 08:30 – Hudson vs Cambridge High; 09:00 – Merrifield vs Ooskus Gimnasium; 09:30 – Hudson vs Stirling High; 10:00 – Clarendon vs Merrifield College; 10:30 – Cambridge High vs Ooskus Gimnasium; 11:00 – Clarendon vs Hudson; 11:30 – Stirling High vs Ooskus Gimnasium; 12:00 – Cambridge High vs Merrifield College.
