Lessons from 2025 will motivate Selborne in 2026
It’s no secret that the Selborne College 1st hockey side had some teething problems early in 2025. It was a youthful team, comprised of inexperienced players, who were thrown straight into the deep end by head coach KJ Friend.
Selborne had enjoyed a handful of successful seasons before 2025, but it was their turn to undergo a transition or building phase.
Their campaign was beset with challenges, and it tested the players and coaches. That adversity, though, could be one of the key ingredients that make Selborne a better team in 2026.
“I’m extremely excited for the season,” coach Friend told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“A new season always brings fresh energy, and there’s a real sense of purpose in the group at the moment.
“[The] 2025 [campaign] laid a lot of important foundations for us, and this season is about building on that work. The boys have come back hungry, focused, and eager to improve, which is exactly what you want as a coach.”
Friend has been at Selborne’s helm for many years now, and he has witnessed teams going through ups and downs.
At the end of their last campaign, he admitted that 2025 was one of the most challenging seasons of his coaching career.
Despite the hurdles he and the players faced, the coach is optimistic that his boys learnt valuable lessons from that campaign.
“The biggest lesson from 2025 was around patience and consistency,” he said.
“With a young group, results don’t always come immediately, but the growth we saw over the course of the season was really encouraging.
“We learned a lot about managing pressure, competing for longer periods in matches, and understanding the standards required at this level.
“Those experiences, especially the tough ones early on, will stand us in good stead going forward.”
Selborne has retained a large number of players from last season, and they will form the base for the East London school’s 2026 campaign.
With a challenging schedule awaiting the side, their experienced players will need to step up against some stiff competition, not just in the Eastern Cape, but from around the country, Friend said.
“The seniors must play a big role in guiding the younger players, both on and off the field, and that leadership within the group will be a key factor for us this year.
“As always, the competition will be extremely strong. Schools in the Eastern Cape and across the country continue to invest heavily in their hockey programmes, and every game is a challenge.
“There are no easy fixtures, and you have to be at your best every week. That level of competition is great for the game and pushes our players to continually raise their standards.”
Selborne’s first match will be played on 5 March at the annual Border Schools’ Day.
After that, they’ll be in action at the Tony Godding Festival before heading to Pretoria for the Nomads Hockey Festival.
Coach Friend revealed a clear vision for his side: “You can expect a hard-working, disciplined Selborne side that competes with intensity and pride.
“Our focus is on playing brave, intelligent hockey, staying true to our principles, and continuing to develop players, both as athletes and as young men.
“If we do that consistently, the results will take care of themselves, and I believe this group is capable of a very positive season.”
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