Collegiate optimistic ahead of Synsport Greg Beling Festival
There is a sense of excitement and optimism surrounding the Collegiate Girls’ High School‘s first hockey team ahead of the 2025 season.
The girls from Gqeberha, led by coach Michael Abrahams, will kick off their campaign at the Synsport Greg Beling Festival in East London on the weekend.
The annual festival starts on Thursday, 20 March, and ends on Sunday, 23 March.
Matches will be played at Clarendon High School for Girls, Selborne College, Merrifield College, Cambridge High, and Stirling High.
Collegiate plays Hudson Park High, Bethlehem Voortrekker, Middelburg Hoërskool, and Parel Vallei at the festival.
Those will be their first matches of the year and Coach Abrahams said his team is eager to see action.
“There is a lot of excitement around the 2025 season,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “Last year had its challenges, and we learnt so much throughout last season. We are looking forward to what the new season has in store.”
The school, which is located in Parsons Hills, produced a promising season last year and racked up some big wins against their provincial counterparts, defeating top sides that included Clarendon, DSG Makhanda, Pearson High, and Woodridge College, all while fielding a relatively young side.
“Last year was very much a rebuilding year for us, with the majority of the team being u16,” Abrahams explained.
“We’ve retained 13 players this year and, with that said, the goal is to build on last season’s performances and try to be better in all aspects.”
Abrahams emphasised that he wants his team to play an attacking brand of hockey that allows his players to express themselves while maintaining their defensive discipline.
He also wants to challenge the most competitive teams in the country.
“There are many talented teams across the country, and we look forward to competing with them throughout the season,” he concluded.
Collegiate faces Hudson Park on Friday before playing two matches on Saturday. They close off their schedule at the festival when they play against Parel Vallei on Sunday morning.
Friday, 21 March
13:30 – Collegiate vs Hudson Park
Saturday, 22 March
08:30 – Collegiate vs Middelburg Hoërskool
17:00 – Collegiate vs Voortrekker
Sunday, 23 March
09:30 – Collegiate vs Parel Vallei
