KZN Inland out to defy history
The KwaZulu-Natal Inland u18A girls’ team, which finished in sixth place at last year’s SASHOC National Week, is aiming to climb a few rungs up the ladder and, possibly, even challenge for the title at this year’s inter-provincial tournament (IPT).
The IPT is being hosted at St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton, from 29 June to 5 July, and the local team will be out to give their home supporters plenty of reasons to cheer.
The u18 boys’ tournament will run concurrently with the girls’ event, with matches being played on Pape’s Astro, at Maritzburg College, in Pietermaritzburg.
St Anne’s will also be the venue for the u16 girls’ event, from 7-13 July, while Hilton College will host the u16 boys’ competition on the same dates.
“I’m incredibly proud to coach this team. Girls’ hockey in the inland areas is thriving, with schools investing more in their programmes,” Morne Odendaal, the KZN Inland u18A head coach, told Supersport Schools Plus.
The investment by schools in the sport has seen more teams not only participate in hockey but become competitive against the best teams in the country. The fact that five schools are represented in the provincial team is a healthy sign of that growth.
Inland’s team will feature players from St John’s DSG, Epworth School, St Anne’s, The Wykeham Collegiate (TWC), and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School.
“We strike a great balance among the five prominent hockey schools in our region. My goal is for our players to exude confidence and play for each other,” Odendaal said.
Odendaal, who coaches St Anne’s, will be assisted by St John’s DSG’s coach Philip Smerdon, with Pam Sikhosana serving as the team manager.
Inland doesn’t just have experience in the coaching staff, they also have six players who were part of the 2024 IPT side. Twins, Jasmin and Jade Kelly, Kgabiso Morafo, Erynne Marais, Lamia Amod, and Nyaniso Khoza, featured in 2024.
Goalkeepers Morafo and Mika Khumalo will look after the last line of defence. In front of them, the defence includes the Kelly sisters, Sponga Ngubane, Hannah Schwegmann, Chennel Dennis, and Siena Solms.
Handling the playmaking in the midfield will be the dynamic talents of Holly Hofmeyr, Erynne Marais, Emma Williams, and Lamia Amod, while Annabelle Balmer, Kathryn Schulze, Nyaniso Khoza, and Siphokazi Mpontshane will be tasked with scoring goals for Inland.
“Our approach blends possession hockey with a dynamic, fast-paced attack whenever the opportunity arises. We’re shaping a well-drilled team that will pose a formidable challenge to any opponent,” Odendaal said.
While there will be an air of expectation on the home side, Odendaal has been reminding his charges to not focus on that.
“I encourage our players to express themselves and adhere to our playing principles and guidelines,” Odendaal explained.
KZN Inland u18 Girls’ team
Annabelle Balmer (St John’s DSG), Chanel Dennis (Epworth), Emma Williams (St John’s DSG), Erynne Marais (TWC), Hannah Schwegmann (St Anne’s), Holly Hofmeyr (St Anne’s), Jade Kelly (St Anne’s), Jasmine Kelly (St Anne’s), Kathryn Schulze (Epworth), Kgabiso Morafo (St Anne’s), Lamia Amod (St John’s DSG), Mika Khumalo (GHS), Nyaniso Khoza (GHS), Sbonga Ngubane (GHS), Sienna Solms (St John’s DSG), Siphokazi Mpontshane (Epworth).
