Herschel eager to kick off bumper 2024 season in the Western Cape
The Herschel Girls School senior hockey side will aim to hit the ground running when they take part in the Western Cape Spar Hockey Festival, at DF Malan on Sunday.
The festival sees the Western Cape’s top sides taking to the turf for pre-season action ahead of a jam-packed 2024 hockey schedule.
They enter the event intent on building on the foundations laid by an impressive 2023 1st side which defeated some of the country’s best teams.
They also impressed in the Western Cape League, claiming the sculps of Paarl Gimnasium (3-1), Rustenburg Girls High (3-2), Wynberg Girls (9-1), Somerset College (3-0), and Curro Durbanville (7-0).
For the Spar Festival, Herschel has been drawn in the Coral Pool alongside DF Malan, St Cyprian’s, Somerset College, Bloemhof, and Fairmont High School.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools ahead of the event, new head coach, Stacey-Lee Gedult, said her side is looking forward to the task at hand, as they seek to begin their campaign on a positive note.
“I am enthusiastic for the season with the team. I think this team has a lot of potential and I am looking forward to seeing them grow over the course of the season,” she said.
“We have been fortunate enough to be able to retain the bulk of the players from 2023 while also including young players, as we are looking to build for the upcoming season and beyond.
“We have a good balance between youth and experience.”
The festival allows teams an opportunity to evaluate their depth and a chance to work on combinations and teamwork ahead of the long list of league and tournament fixtures that lie ahead.
It will also allow Herschel a chance to sharpen their skills ahead of the prestigious St Mary’s Hockey Festival in early April, where many of the country’s best teams will be in action.
Gedult believes her side needs tough preparation to prepare her charges for a gruelling season.
“There are no easy games, and each tournament and fixture brings its own challenges,” she said.
“The Spar Hockey Festival provides us with an opportunity at the start of the year to kick off our season.
“We have had some preseason training sessions, and it has been going well. The team has been committed and working hard, so it would be great to see it all come together at the Spar Festival this weekend.”
HERSCHEL 1ST SQUAD
Elen Vermaak, Samantha Mary Flint, Zara-Leigh Oliphant, Emily Joy van Heerden, Anna Grace Ashbolt, Kate Megan Formby, Mia Grace Andrew, Hannah Henderson, Amy Elizabeth Gordon, Sarah Faith Ashbolt, Katherine Susan Featherstone, Gabrielle Maxien du Toit, Sofia Ivy Dearnaley, Emily Jane Dickinson, Ashley Erin Silberbauer.
Herschel’s fixtures at the Spar Hockey Festival
Sunday, 10 March 2024 – DF Malan Astro
07:30- Herschel vs Somerset College
09:00- Herschel vs Bloemhof
10:30- Herschel vs DF Malan
13:00- Herschel vs Fairmont
