Aitken Cup action begins on Thursday
The Aitken Cup, which brings together Johannesburg’s leading hockey-playing schools, takes to the turf from Thursday and runs through until Sunday.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
The four-day event will incorporate four venues: The University of Johannesburg, Wits University, St John’s College, and King Edward VII School, while the format includes 16 schools split across four pools.
Pool A promises to be exciting with the defending champion, Jeppe High School for Boys, headlining the group as they go on a quest for back-to-back titles.
They’ll be up against Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge, HeronBridge College, and St Stithians, who, arguably, pose the greatest challenge to Jeppe’s title aspirations.
Meanwhile, the 2024 runner-up, Parktown Boys’ High School, is in Pool B, where they will face St Benedict’s College, Hoërskool Monument and Beaulieu College, who are dark horses.
Parktown’s new coach, David Grace, said he is ecstatic about his responsibility of guiding his team in the prestigious tournament.
“I am extremely excited to be going to Aitken and will be looking to live up to last year’s success and, hopefully, better it. I feel we are well prepared, and the boys are peaking at the right time in the season,” he told SuperSport School Plus.
The experienced mentor said his side is “process driven, and we look at incremental improvements every day.”
Focusing on the Aitken Cup, he said: “In tournament hockey, every opponent is tough. Anything can happen, so you have to perform every game.”
Parktown has made some tactical adjustments and has also brought up some players into the 1st team for the tournament, Grace said.
“Our preparation has been extensive, and any success must be attributed to our coaching staff. We have the best people involved with the team to make sure the boys are well prepared. Credit must go to my assistant coach, Mr. Bailey, team psychologist, Mr. Hull, 1st team manager Mrs Grace, and Mr Furlonger, our MIC, for their tireless work behind the scenes.”
St John’s College looks like the team to beat in Pool C. They’re up against Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, and Northcliff High. While the Blues might be the favourites, it’s a group that could spring a surprise or two.
Pool D features one of the traditional powers, KES, who will be challenged by St David’s Marist Inanda, Fourways High School, and Rand Park High School.
The action begins on Thursday at Wits, with St Stithians meeting HeronBridge. They’ll be followed by the defending champion, Jeppe, taking on Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge.
Jeppe heads into the tournament in a rich vein of form. Siya Sityana‘s charges have faced KZN opposition in their last two matches, scoring a hard-fought 2-1 win over Northwood School and a 5-2 win against Westville Boys’ High. Before that Jeppe won all five of their games at the KES Easter Festival.
St John’s College will make the short trip to their neighbours, KES, where they will kickstart their Aitken Cup campaign against Helpmekaar Kollege.
POOLS
Pool A: A1 Jeppe, A2 Trinity RP, A3 St Stithians, A4 Heronbridge
Pool B: B1 Parktown, B2 St Benedict’s, B3 Monument, B4 Beaulieu
Pool C: C1 St John’s, C2 Helpmekaar, C3 Noordheuwel, C4 Northcliff
Pool D: D1 KES, D2 St David’s, D3 Fourways, D4 Rand Park High
FIXTURES
Thursday, 15 May
Wits
15:00 – A3 St Stithians vs A4 Heronbridge
17:00 – A1 Jeppe vs A2 Trinity RP
King Edward VII School
17:00 – C1 St John’s vs C2 Helpmekaar
18:30 – C3 Noordheuwel vs C4 Northcliff
UJ
17:00 – B1 Parktown vs B2 St Benedicts
18:30 – B3 Monument vs B4 Beaulieu
St John’s College
|17:00 – D1 KES vs D2 St David’s
18:30 – D3 Fourways vs D4 Randpark
Friday, 16 May
Wits
7:30 – A1 Jeppe vs A3 St Stithians
9:00 – A2 Trinity RP vs A4 Heronbridge
10:30 – C1 St John’s vs C3 Noordheuwel
12:00 – C2 Helpmekaar vs C4 Northcliff
13:30 – A1 Jeppe vs A4 Heronbridge
15:00 – A2 Trinity RP vs A3 St Stithians
16:30 – C1 St John’s vs C4 Northcliff
18:00 – C2 Helpmekaar vs C3 Noordheuwel
UJ
7:30 – B1 Parktown vs B3 Monument
9:00 – B2 St Benedict’s vs B4 Beaulieu
10:30 – D1 KES vs D3 Fourways
12:00 – D2 St David’s vs D4 Randpark
13:30 – B1 Parktown vs B4 Beaulieu
15:00 – B2 St Benedict’s vs B3 Monument
16:30 – D1 KES vs D4 Randpark
18:00 – D2 St David’s vs D3 Fourways
Saturday, 17 May
Wits
7:30 – QF 1 – Winner Pool A vs 2nd Pool C
9:00 – QF 2 – Winner Pool D vs 2nd Pool B
10:30 – QF 3 – Winner Pool B vs 2nd Pool D
12:00 – QF 4 – Winner Pool C vs 2nd Pool A
13:30 – 5–8 Place 1 – Loser QF 1 vs Loser QF 2
15:00 – SF 1 – Winner QF 1 vs Winner QF 2
16:30 – 5–8 Place 2 – Loser QF 3 vs Loser QF 4
18:00 – SF 2 – Winner QF 3 vs Winner QF 4
UJ
7:30 – 9–16, 3rd in Pool A vs 4th in Pool C
9:00 – 9–16, 3rd in Pool D vs 4th in Pool B
10:30 9–16, 3rd in Pool B vs 4th in Pool D
12:00 – 9–16, 3rd in Pool C vs 4th in Pool A
13:30 – 13–16, Loser Game 1 vs Loser Game 2
15:00 – 9–12, Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2
16:30 – 13–16, Loser Game 3 vs Loser Game 4
18:00 – 9–12, Winner Game 3 vs Winner Game 4
Sunday 18 May
Parktown
7:30 – Aitken A Section – 5th/6th Place
9:00 – Aitken A Section – 7th/8th Place
10:30 – Aitken A Section – 9th/10th Place
12:00 – Aitken A Section – 11th/12th Place
13:30 – Aitken A Section – 13th/14th Place
15:00 – Aitken A Section – 15th/16th Place
Wits
9:00 – Boden B Final
10:30 – Aitken C Final
12:00 – Aitken B Final
13:30 – Boden A Final
15:00 – Aitken A Final
16:30 – Medal Presentation Ceremony for all finals
UJ
7:30 – Boden B Section – 3rd/4th Place
9:00 – Aitken C Section – 3rd/4th Place
10:30 – Aitken B Section – 3rd/4th Place
12:00 – Boden A Section – 3rd/4th Place
13:30 – Aitken A Section – 3rd/4th Place
16:30 – Medal Presentation Ceremony for all bronze medals at Wits.
