Gauteng’s top girls’ teams in Pullen and Howell action
The prestigious Pullen and Howell Hockey Tournament gets underway on Saturday, bringing together leading teams from around the province, competing in u18 and u16 competition.
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The tournament, which was established in 2006, continues to grow from strength to strength and features 70 teams this year, with 35 in the u18 A and B sections, and another 35 in the u16 A and B sections.
The section A seniors’ matches will be played across four venues.
Tournament co-founder Rob Pullen said he was thrilled at the growth of the tournament and its popularity. “We started with just 12 schools playing across two sections,” he explained. “Now we have 35 schools each in the u18 and u16 divisions. The tournament is growing beautifully. It’s bigger and better than ever.”
Pullen also credited the participating schools for helping ensure smooth planning and logistics.
“Preparations are going well. I’ve got approximately nine venues this year, and the schools have been incredibly supportive, making it very easy for us to manage everything,” he said.
“The tournament runs over four days, and it’s always exciting to see it come together.”
In the highly competitive A Section of the u18 category, the schools are divided into four pools, with each boasting top-performing teams from across the province.
The reigning champions, St Mary’s Waverley, will lead Pool A and begin their title defence on their home ground, Nathan Field. Their opening fixture is set for 09:15 against St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls. Beaulieu College and Hoërskool Noordheuwel complete the group.
Pool B features the 2024 silver medallists, Hoërskool Monument, who will be eager to go one better this year after falling to a narrow defeat against St Mary’s in last year’s final. They’ll begin their campaign against Kingsmead College, who will host the pool matches.
Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies) takes on Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen Hoërskool in another Pool B clash.
In Pool C, Hoërskool Waterkloof opens the day against Roedean, with Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge and Northcliff High rounding out the group. Their matches will take place at Hoërskool Linden.
Meanwhile, Pool D will see one of the tournament’s most in-form sides, St Stithians College, take on the home team, St Andrew’s School for Girls. That should be an interesting clash. Hoërskool Garsfontein and Helpmekaar Kollege also do battle in the pool’s opening round.
With a deep field of talent and many top provincial stars in action, four days of fascinating hockey is on the cards.
U18 SECTION A POOLS
Pool A: St Mary’s, Noordheuwel, Beaulieu, St Dominic’s
Pool B: Monument, Affies, Kingsmead, EG Jansen
Pool C: Waterkloof, Trinity House Randpark, Northcliff, Roedean
Pool D: St Stithians, Garsfontein, Helpmekaar, St Andrew’s
FIXTURES
Pool A – @ St Mary’s Waverley (Nathan Field)
09:15 – St Mary’s vs St Dominic’s
10:00 – Noordheuwel vs Beaulieu
12:15 – St Mary’s vs Beaulieu
13:00 – St Dominic’s vs Noordheuwel
15:15 – St Mary’s vs Noordheuwel
16:00 – Beaulieu vs St Dominic’s
Pool B – @ Kingsmead College
09:15 – Monument vs Kingsmead
10:00 – Affies vs EG Jansen
12:15 – Monument vs EG Jansen
13:00 – Kingsmead vs Affies
15:15 – Monument vs Affies
16:00 – EG Jansen vs Kingsmead
Pool C – @ Hoërskool Linden
08:45 – Waterkloof vs Roedean
09:30 – Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge vs Northcliff
11:15 – Waterkloof vs Northcliff
12:00 – Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge vs Roedean
13:45 – Waterkloof vs Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge
14:30 – Northcliff vs Roedean
Pool D – @ St Andrew’s School for Girls
09:15 – St Stithians vs St Andrew’s
10:00 – Garsfontein vs Helpmekaar
12:15 – St Stithians vs Helpmekaar
13:00 – St Andrew’s vs Garsfontein
15:15 – St Stithians vs Garsfontein
16:00 – Helpmekaar vs St Andrew’s
