Andrew Beynon’s Grey High aims for the top in 2025
There was a sense of optimism, excitement, and expectation when Andrew Beynon took over as Grey High School’s Director of Hockey at the beginning of 2024.
He joined the Gqeberha school after a stint at the nearby Collegiate Girls’ High where he was very successful, leading them to some notable victories against some of the country’s best teams.
An Old Grey, he entered the Grey gates again with a solid track record of being able to turn things around, and he hit the ground running, working with a talented group of players.
Under Beynon, Grey asserted themselves as one of the best teams in the country, and they will be one of the sides to watch out for early in the 2025 season.
In 2024, they played a possession-based game and displayed an ability to grind out victories. Their success began with a strong pre-season and, by the time they played their derby matches, they had hit their stride.
Under the leadership of Kian Cambier, they were unbeaten in the Eastern Cape all year long.
Their defeats included a loss to Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and a loss against Grey College. They, also, finished with the bronze medal at the Hibbert Shield after losing out to SACS in the semifinal.
Meanwhile, they swept their opposition at the Tony Godding Festival and Nomads Festival.
“As a club, I think we performed fairly consistently last year,” coach Beynon told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“When we look back, I am very happy with where the club is and what we collectively achieved.
“We had some competitive matches and so the goal is to always be better and more efficient. We believe in the model we’re building. We will stay humble and continue to work hard.”
While Grey dominated in the province, 2025 will provide the school with an opportunity to again stake their claim to be the country’s best.
They weren’t far off that status in 2024, losing only the three times mentioned earlier.
Beynon insists his players will start with a clean slate ahead of the forthcoming season. “Look, we came close last year, and the boys played some fantastic hockey,” he said. “However, this is a new year, a new group, so they can write their own destiny.
“We are a young side with ability, so let’s put our heads down, stay humble, and see what we can achieve as a group.”
At the end of last season, Grey bade farewell to eight grade 12 learners, including their skipper, Cambier, and other influential players – Xander Elkington, Robbie Stow, Caden Skinnette, Blake Muller, Marco Giaconi, Caleb Humphreys, and Ben Ristow.
The senior players left behind will be joined by three exciting players from the u16 age group.
“We have three uncapped players joining the squad, which will bring a different energy to the group, which is always exciting,” Beynon enthused.
“The Hockey Club is excited to get going in 2025.”
The season will include an opportunity for the Grey High first team to test its ability beyond South Africa’s borders. They’ll be in action at the Tony Godding Festival in East London in March before embarking on an international tour of The Netherlands and Germany.
