It’s all systems go for St Anne’s Cup
Twelve of the country’s top hockey-playing girls’ schools will converge at St Anne’s Diocesan College to battle it out in one of the year’s most-anticipated schoolgirl tournaments, the St Anne’s Cup.
The event is in its second year and will run from Friday to Sunday.
The inaugural edition featured eight teams, but its resounding success prompted further growth and the addition of four more teams.
“The first edition set a high bar. Players, coaches, and spectators alike were treated to a showcase of skill and sportsmanship, making it a standout event on the regional hockey calendar,” Morné Odendaal, the St Anne’s coach and one of the organisers, told Supersport Schools Plus.
Odendaal promised an intensified level of competition in the second edition. He is not wrong to anticipate a high standard, given the pedigree of the teams taking part.
All the sides that contested the first St Anne’s Cup, with the exception of Beaulieu College are back: Eunice, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), Durban Girls’ College (DGC), Hoërskool Waterkloof, St Anne’s, Hoërskool Menlopark, and St John’s DSG are back.
They’re joined by Worcester Gimnasium, The Wykeham Collegiate, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, Our Lady of Fatima, and Bethlehem Voortrekker.
“The increased number of teams ensures a broader representation of talent, further elevating the competitive edge and fostering a platform for aspiring athletes to shine,” Odendaal explained.
The teams have been split into four groups. The hosts, St Anne’s will begin their campaign in Pool A where they face Worcester Gimnasium and Hoërskool Menlopark.
The defending champion, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) is on the hunt for a second title of the year after their trophy-winning run at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. They are in Pool B where they will face TWC and Waterkloof.
Last year’s semi-finalists, Eunice will be aiming to improve on their showing in the inaugural edition. They are in Pool C, along with St John’s DSG and Noordheuwel.
DGC made it all the way to the 2024 final, where they lost to St Mary’s DSG (Kloof). They return intent on going one better. However, they will first have to get past Our Lady of Fatima and Voortrekker in Pool D.
The tournament roars to life with a double-header at 08:00 on Friday morning, with St Mary’s (DSG) Kloof going head-to-head with TWC, while DGC crosses swords with Our Lady of Fatima.
St John’s DSG and Eunice will close the day with a contest at 19:15. The tournament will pick up on Saturday morning with cross-pool contests as teams battle for a place in the playoffs and a chance to play for the title.
“The organisers are committed to maintaining the exceptional standards set by the inaugural tournament, ensuring that every aspect of the event, from logistics to hospitality, meets and exceeds expectations,” Odendaal said.
“The growth of the St. Anne’s Cup reflects not only the increasing popularity of hockey but also the dedication of the community to nurture young talent and promote the sport’s values of teamwork, discipline, and excellence.
FIXTURES
Friday, 23 May
08:00 – St Mary’s Kloof vs TWC; 08:00 – Durban Girls’ College vs Our Lady of Fatima; 09:15 – St Anne’s vs Worcester Gim; 10:30 – St John’s DSG vs Noordheuwel, 11:45 – Our Lady of Fatima vs Voortrekker; 13:00 – Worcester Gim vs Menlopark; 13:00 – TWC vs Waterkloof; 14:15 – Noordheuwel vs Eunice; 15:30 – Durban Girls’ College vs Voortrekker; 16:45 – St Mary’s Kloof vs Waterkloof; 18:00 – St Anne’s vs Menlopark; 19:15 – St John’s DSG vs Eunice.
Saturday, 24 May (cross-pool stage and playoffs)
08:00 – A3 vs D3; 08:00 – B3 vs C3; 09:15 – QF1: A2 vs D1; 10:30 – QF2: A1 vs D2; 11:45 – QF3: B2 vs C1; 13:00 – QF4: B1 vs C2; 14:15 – B3 vs D3; 14:15 – A3 vs C3; 15:30 – (5-8) Loser QF1 vs Loser QF3; 16:45 – (5-8) Loser QF2 vs Loser QF4; 18:00 – (Semi) Winner QF1 vs Winner QF3; 19:15 – (Semi) Winner QF2 vs Winner QF4.
Sunday, 25 May
08:00 – 7th/8th Place; 08:00 – A3 vs B3; 09:15 – 5th/6th Place; 09:15 – C3 vs D3; 10:30 – 3rd/4th Place; 11:45 – Final.
