Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge: A new chapter for schoolgirl hockey
Paarl will come alive when 20 of the nation’s top hockey-playing schools descend on Paarl Gimnasium for the inaugural Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge.
The tournament springs into action on 1 May and culminates with the final on 3 May.
“This highly anticipated tournament will bring together some of the top girls’ hockey teams from across the country for a weekend of thrilling competition, skill, and sportsmanship,” the event organisers said in a press release.
A total of 52 teams, across three age groups – u14, u16, and u19 – will take to the field at the hockey extravaganza.
The teams in the u19 tier have been placed into five groups, Pools A to E.
Free State powerhouse C & N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (Oranje) is in Pool A along with Durban Girls College (DGC), Cornwall Hill, and Herschel.
The hosts, Paarl Gim, have been in good form, recently winning against both Oranje and Eunice in Bloemfontein, and they will be keen to bring joy to their home fans by clinching the trophy on home soil. They are in Pool B where they will compete with St Mary’s Waverley, Springfield, and Fairmont.
Waterkloof produced a good showing at the St Stithians Easter Festival recently, and they will be keen to carry that form forward when they meet Pearson, Stellenberg, and Somerset College in Pool C.
St Mary’s DSG Kloof has already added prestigious silverware to their cabinet this season, winning the St Mary’s Waverley title, and they will be eager to embrace the opportunity of adding the Girls Challenge trophy to their collection at the expense of another strong field, but they will have to get past St Cyprian’s, Reddam Constantia, and St Stithians College in Pool D first.
Garsfontein has enjoyed a good start to the season and will have to contend with a dangerous Collegiate side, Durbanville, and Rustenburg in Pool E for a shot at the title.
“This event marks an exciting milestone in the growth of women’s sports and reflects the increasing investment in providing more opportunities for young female athletes to shine.
“The Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge offers a chance for these talented players to perform at the highest level and make their mark on the national stage,” the organisers stated.
Chris Gibson, one of the organisers, said spectators should look forward to three days of fast-paced, high-intensity hockey matches, showcasing individual skill and team strategy.
“The Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge is more than just a tournament. It is an event that will inspire the next generation of female athletes, encourage community support for women’s sports, and create lasting memories for everyone involved,” the organising team said.
Oranje and DGC will get the tournament underway in a mouthwatering opener on Thursday morning. Despite not going all the way at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, Oranje showed glimpses of what they are capable of producing, and DGC, with a young side, is beginning to hit their stride
Herschel and Cornwall Hill will also go head-to-head at the same time on the other field.
The curtain will come down on the first day of the competition after Collegiate plays Rustenburg, while Garsfontein and Durbanville will cross swords on the other Astro.
FIXTURES
Thursday
9:00 – Oranje vs DGC; Herschel vs Cornwall Hill
10:00 – Paarl Gim vs St Mary’s Waverley; Fairmont vs Springfield
11:00 – Stellenberg vs Somerset College; Waterkloof vs Pearson
12:00 – Reddam Constantia vs St Stithians; St Mary’s Kloof vs St Cyprian’
13:00 – Garsfontein vs Rustenburg; Collegiate vs Durbanville
14:00 – Herschel vs DGC; Oranje vs Cornwall Hill
15:00 – St Mary’s Waverley vs Fairmont; Paarl Gim vs Springfield
16:00 – Waterkloof vs Somerset College; Pearson vs Stellenberg
17:00 – St Cyprians vs St Stithians; St Mary’s Kloof vs Reddam Constantia
18:00 – Collegiate vs Rustenburg; Garsfontein vs Durbanville.
