Reddy to lead Southern Gauteng u18A at SASHOC Nationals
The experienced former Parktown Boys’ High coach, Kyle Reddy, has been appointed the head coach of Southern Gauteng’s u18A team for the forthcoming SASHOC National Week, set to take place at Maritzburg College from 30 June to 5 July.
Reddy’s appointment marks a significant milestone in his coaching journey.
Reflecting on his post, he said: “It’s something I’ve worked towards for a while now. I’ve worked in different roles over the years – assistant coach, manager, selector – all of it. So, it’s an honour now to lead this group, and I’m very proud to do so.”
Reddy will be supported by a top-tier technical team, with St David’s Marist Inanda coach, Andy Aldred, filling the role of assistant coach. Former head coach and Director of Hockey at St John’s College, Anthony Woodhouse, takes on the role of video analyst. James Furlonger, Master in Charge of Hockey at Parktown Boys’ High, serves as the team manager, while Jarred Marsh is the strength and conditioning coach.
Reddy is excited about the group. He told SuperSport Schools Plus: “I’ve worked with both Andy and Woody before, in different roles, and we get on brilliantly. There is trust. There is honesty. We challenge each other in a good way.
“We talk hockey for hours, which is probably not healthy, but it helps the team. It is great to have that kind of knowledge and experience around you.”
Last year, Southern Gauteng u18A finished fourth, losing out 0-1 to KZN Coastal u18A in the playoff for third spot.
Sevens schools are represented in their line-up this year. Unbeaten Jeppe High School for Boys provides five players, Parktown Boys’ High and St David’s Marist Inanda supply three each, there are two from King Edward VII, and one each from St Stithians College, Hoërskool Monument, and St John’s College.
“The boys all know each other from previous provincial teams and the JHL (Joburg Hockey League),” Reddy said. “They have played together. They’ve played against each other. So, the chemistry is already there, and the understanding is there.
“These players come in with a mature mindset. They know it’s not about your school badge here. It’s about representing Southern Gauteng. That’s what makes it work. It’s not difficult at all. It’s brilliant.”
The team is blessed with strong leadership. It includes the captains of five schools. However, a skipper has not yet been named.
“We’ve got the captains of Jeppe, Parktown, St Stithians, St David’s, and Monument all in the team. So, leadership is not a problem, not at all,” Reddy enthused. “We’ve got a proper leadership group and, no matter who wears the armband, we’ve got a lot of boys who lead with their actions and their attitude.”
As one of the traditional powerhouses of South African hockey, there are high expectations of Southern Gauteng A.
“At Southern Gauteng, there’s a big hockey culture. We’ve got the numbers. We’ve got the resources. We’ve got the history,” Reddy said.
“There’s an expectation to perform, but that’s what makes it exciting. Pressure means people care, and pressure makes diamonds. It means people expect something special. I love that, to be honest. That’s what you want in sport.”
SOUTHERN GAUTENG U18 A TEAM
Khotso Mabona (St David’s Marist Inanda), Ethan Kapanda (Jeppe High School for Boys), Khanyisa Kraai (Parktown Boys’ High), Owethu Sishuba (St John’s College), Benjamin Simon (King Edward VII), Cole Stanbury (Jeppe High School for Boys), Zeyad Davids (Parktown Boys’ High), Matteo Stipcevich (St David’s Marist Inanda), Jared Beilings (St David’s Marist Inanda), Aiden Blatch (St Stithians College), Ezray Stadt (Jeppe High School for Boys), Ndyebo Pongwana (Parktown Boys’ High), Reece Green (Hoërskool Monument), Jack Hodson (King Edward VII), Matthew McKenzie (Jeppe High School for Boys).
