Campbell expresses gratitude as he bows out of KES hockey
After four remarkable years in the King Edward VII School (KES) first team, during which he earned 107 caps, captain Fynn Campbell‘s school hockey career is over.
“To the boys who are staying,” Campbell told his teammates, “You have an exciting year ahead of you. I’ll be back to watch, and I can’t wait to see you in action. No matter what, keep your heads up and keep playing hard.
“To the coaching staff, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me, and for supporting me throughout my journey at KES. It’s one I will miss forever and never forget.
“Thank you for always looking after the men in the team, keeping us safe to play the next game, and standing with us during those late-night training sessions. Your sacrifices mean more than you know.”
Campbell’s final match was away at Durban High School (DHS), where KES recorded one of their best wins of the season, a deserved 4-2 victory.
“The match against DHS was incredible,” Campbell said. “The tension was high, and the energy was there from both teams. No matter what, neither side was willing to give up. I’m glad I could wrap my season up the way I did, with a win against such a strong opponent. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents and family.”
The goals that day told the story of a team effort. Reece Small poached the first two goals, while Kamo Tsoka stuck away a rebound at a penalty corner to score KES’s third after a variation, and the captain himself scored the last goal, securing victory by converting a penalty stroke.
While his 1st team career began in grade 9, Campbell said it felt as if it was all over so quickly. “I’ve been in the first team for four years, and the night before my last game, I sat alone thinking about all the memories I’ve shared with my teammates and coaches.
“After the game, I was emotional but insanely proud of every single one of the boys I got to captain. Seeing in their eyes how much it meant to them made me realise I had done my job. Now, it’s my time to hand over the armband to the next leader.”
For Campbell, KES hockey has been about more than sport, it’s been about family.
“Being a KES player is one of the best feelings in the world because we play as a brotherhood. We never leave anyone behind, and we never give up. Being captain was truly special. I couldn’t have asked to lead a better group of men.
“The journey wasn’t always smooth. We faced our ups and downs, but we went through them together,” he admitted.
“My favourite highlight has to be beating Jeppe 3–2 last year – an unforgettable match. But, honestly, the best part was seeing the boys come off the field smiling, no matter the score.”
