Paarl Gim heads to Founders Festival in search of their mojo
Paarl Gimnasium’s boys’ first-team hockey coach, Jacques Grobler, believes his players have yet to hit their stride despite some positive results in recent weeks. It’s still early in the season.
Gim will make the trip up to Pretoria to take part in the Founders Festival, hosted by Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), this weekend.
The event, which runs from 29-31 March, features some of the country’s hockey powerhouses in action.
Grobler’s side has had adequate preparation for the festival, including taking part in two pre-season tournaments, before facing Somerset College.
They dominated their opposition at the Parel Vallei Hockey Festival, recording wins over Reddam House Constantia, Hoërskool Hermanus, and Worcester Gimnasium. More recently, they dismantled Somerset College 4-0.
Despite those promising results, Gim is yet to be tested properly, and Grobler believes there’s a lot of room for improvement.
“School hockey has its ups and downs, and the one thing I want to ensure is that we can adapt to the situations presented before us,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“For us to do that, it comes down to educating the players so they can make the correct decisions on the field.
“We had a successful season in 2024, but now the task is to maintain the excellence and standards we have set.”
Gim has retained a huge chunk of their senior players from last season. In total, 10 players who turned out for the side last year, including new captain Juan Swanepoel, will don the jersey in 2025.
Grobler said one of his priorities is to have his team keep their game as simple as possible. “Our main priority is to stay humble and maintain a good attitude,” he added.
“Just because we enjoyed success in previous years does not mean this year will necessarily be the same. By being humble and hard-working, we will find the solutions to the problems we’ll face together.”
After the Founders Festival, the boys from Paarl will be in action in the second week of April on their home turf against the Founders Festival hosts, Affies.
They’ll face Grey College later in the month before shifting their attention to the Hibbert Shield and Western Cape matches.
Coach Grobler, who has years of experience coaching schoolboy hockey, is aware of the rapidly rising competition around the country.
“Look, the competition in the Cape and around the country is so tough,” he said. “Teams are analysing you and making plans on how to negate your strengths.
“The best thing for us to do is to stick to our processes, to do the work in advance, and then, on game day, maintain composure and a belief in the plan.”
Paarl Gim will be challenged by Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal opposition that they don’t usually face at Founders, and that provides them with a chance to test themselves and get out of their comfort zone.
On day one, they’ll open their campaign against Parktown Boys’ High at 11:50 before taking on St Stithians College later in the day.
When asked what fans might expect from his team, Grobler said: “I think that the parents and Old Boys, as well as all supporters, have been spoilt with some really exciting hockey the past few seasons, and we will endeavour to do the same.
“At the moment we have not hit our stride, but when we do, I believe everyone will be thoroughly entertained,” he concluded.
Paarl Gimnasium Founders Festival Fixtures
Saturday, 29 March
11:50 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Parktown Boys’ High
16:15 – Paarl Gimnasium vs St Stithians College
Sunday, 30 March
07:30 – Paarl Gimnasium vs St David’s Marist Inanda
14:05 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Northwood School
Monday, 31 March
11:50 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Kearsney College
