WP to lean on experience at SASHOC Nationals
The annual SASHOC National Week hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Western Province (WP) u18A girls in past seasons, but they are determined to change that narrative in 2025.
After disappointing results and failing to make the final last year, Province will fancy their chances when the tournament kicks off on Monday, 30 June, at St Anne’s DSG in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.
The girls from the Western Cape will embark on the journey with their sights set on causing an upset and silencing critics who don’t consider them as “favourites” for the tournament.
Coach Natalie Esteves from St Cyprian’s School leads the side, and will be assisted by coach Ziyaad Ismail from Springfield Convent School, while Fairmont’s Liza Duckitt is the team manager.
The Western Province selectors have named a strong squad for the tournament, featuring six players who did duty for the side at last year’s event in Bloemfontein, where they finished in seventh place. Despite that disappointment, Province will be starting with a clean slate this time around and will need the experienced heads in the team to show character and leadership.
Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls High) and Hannah Henderson (Herschel Girls School) have been entrusted to co-captain the side. They are no strangers to the Province system, having donned the blue and white since their u16 playing days.
In fact, Abrahams and Henderson are the only players who represented WP during the senior indoor women’s IPT earlier this year. No doubt their experience and knowledge of the tournament will be invaluable.
Other players who will look to make their mark at the national tournament include Zara Berrisford, Khanya Moore, Samantha Flint and Georgia Maw. The four also formed part of the 2024 squad and experienced the heartbreak of losing crucial pool games against Northern Gauteng A, Southern Free State A, Southern Gauteng A and Boland A, in the fifth to eighth playoffs.
Applying that shaping moment as fuel and motivation, these players can inspire the young crop of players making their respective provincial debuts at the tournament.
Over the last five editions of the tournament, WP came closest in 2022, finishing second behind Southern Free State A after losing 6-0 in the final.
Since then, it’s been fourth place and last year’s seventh. By their standards, the coaches will demand more from the players, and rightfully so, considering the amount of talent at their disposal.
Getting WP on the podium and winning a medal will be the main item on the agenda for the coaches, but it will require great teamwork, gutsy performances and standout showings from the experienced heads.
WP has been drawn in Pool B this year and will face last year’s finalists, Northern Gauteng A, KZN Coastal A, KZN Inland A, Border and local counterparts, Western Province B.
They open their campaign against KZN Inland A on Monday, 30 June, at 11:45.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
Western Province u18A Team:
Peyton Marais (Curro Durbanville), Georgia Maw (St Cyprian’s School), Nina Wides (Herschel Girls School), Sam Flint (Herschel Girls School), Zara Berrisford (Westerford High School), Amy Ten Cate (Durbanville High School), Kira Totaram-Jacobs (St Cyprian’s School), Camryn Corner (Fairmont High School), Chelsey McGregor (St Cyprian’s School), Sarah Ashbolt (Herschel Girls School), Thimna Waka (Table View High School), Hannah Henderson (Herschel Girls School), Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls’ High School), Khanya Moore (Springfield Convent School), Isabella Amm (Springfield Convent School), Emma Hibbert (Reddam House Constantia).
