Mdlalane eager to showcase her skills at the SASHOC National Week
As one of the more experienced players in the Border u18A side, Cambridge High School’s Akhile Mdlalane is relishing the opportunity of donning her team’s provincial colours when they run out at the u18A SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein this coming weekend.
The tournament starts on Sunday, 16 June, and concludes on Friday, 21 June.
Matches will be played at five venues, including the University of the Free State, St Andrew’s School, St Michael’s School for Girls, Grey College, and Eunice High School.
You can catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
In last year’s campaign, Border finished eighth, above Northern Free State, Northern Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Southern Gauteng B.
Border, led by head coach, Jerry Snyman, returns to the Free State with a fairly young but talented squad.
Including Mdlalane, who hails from Cambridge High, five players, all from different schools, are back for another crack at the SASHOC National Week.
Jenna Frachet, from Clarendon, is on that list, along with Melinique Langley (Hudson Park), Thabelani Metu (Lilyfontein School), and Holly-Jane Harris (Stirling High).
Reflecting on last year’s campaign, Mdlalane admitted it was tough adjusting to the high intensity of senior hockey but believes she took valuable lessons from the experience.
“Last year’s tournament was just dramatically eye-opening,” Mdlalane told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the event.
“It’s a different level of intensity and a different environment. It was a huge adjustment from all the other SASHOC National Weeks I have been to.
“The pressure was there and as [one of] the u17s, who were new, we had to adapt. I remember one of the games. I felt awful because I thought I wasn’t coping with the pressures until another coach advised me to not put pressure on myself.
“This year, I am very keen on going out there and expressing myself to the fullest as an individual. I have put myself in the mental space to not let anything bring me down and cope with all that will be thrown my way.”
Mdlalane, along with her Border teammate Thabelani Metu, represented the South African u17 girls’ side at last year’s Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia.
There, they were exposed to world-class facilities and played against top countries, including Australia, Japan, and India.
As a part of the South African squad, they also got to rub shoulders with some of the best schoolgirl hockey players in the country, which was an invaluable experience.
The side was led by Waterkloof’s head coach, Omari Pienaar-Geyer. After producing some spirited performances in their six matches, they finished in an impressive fourth place.
“It was an experience I feel honoured to have been granted,” Mdlalane said. “Rubbing shoulders with top athletes from each country was very much a learning curve.
“The tournament was a learning experience and there was a lot of character development happening.
“We had the best coaches anyone could ask for and the best players to play with, and just realising how everyone wanted to make something out of it became my daily drive to do better for myself and the team.
“One of my big takes from that tour is confidence. Ever since I started playing hockey at a young age, I kind of struggled with it, even though I knew I was very capable. Yet I never showed it because I feared failing or disappointing my teammates, but the tournament exposed me to that.
“I learned to fail and pick myself up each time. I became comfortable with not getting things right or not executing what I wanted at the best level.
“Ever since then, it developed me as a player, and I learned and worked on myself along the way, and I find myself in a better place than I was before.”
The Cambridge High School star will need to take all of those lessons with her when she travels to Bloemfontein for the SASHOC National Week.
Border is drawn in a tough Pool A, along with Southern Free State A, Western Province A and B, Southerns, and Northern Gauteng.
To improve on last year’s eighth-place finish, they will need to fire on all cylinders from the get-go.
Mdlalane said they’re motivated and are ready to challenge their opposition.
“As a team, we want to play for each other and as a unit,” she said.
“We want to dominate and step out of the shadows and make a statement. We want to make a difference for the upcoming young girls and give them something to work towards when they find themselves in this position. They should feel encouraged to be part of the setup, as we did.
“We want to find ourselves in a higher position, and we are working towards that.
“I want to express myself as a player and play for my province wholeheartedly, and whatever happens from there will take its course.
“I want to grow even more and build my game even more, with the hopes of reaching greater heights in my game.”
Border’s SASHOC National Week campaign begins in the toughest way possible. On the opening day, they face Southern Gauteng A at 10:10, before ending the day with a clash against the hosts and defending champions, Southern Free State A, at 17:00.
Border u18A
Tario Chinamasa (Merrifield College), Tarelle Jones (Hudson Park), Melnique Langley (Hudson Park), Demi Knott (Clarendon High School), Jenna Frachet (Clarendon High School), Claren Lugo-Fernandez (Clarendon High School), Alison Woodin (Clarendon High School), Georgia McClure (Clarendon High School), Cara Knott (Clarendon High School), Princess Mcinga (Stirling High School), Holly-Jayne-Harris (Stirling High School), Akhile Mdlalane (Cambridge High School), Usiphe Ngxoweni (Cambridge High School), Thabelani Metu (Lilyfontein School), Lacqueisha Leonie (Hangklip High School).
Non-travelling reserves: Mbali Khumalo (Hudson Park), Ahlumile Moni (Stirling High), Jess Schaefer (Clarendon High School).
BORDER’S POOL FIXTURES
Sunday, 16 June
10:10 – Border A vs Southern Gauteng A
17:00- Border A vs Southern Free State A
Monday, 17 June
12:45 – Border A vs Western Province B
Tuesday, 18 June
11:35 – Border A vs Northern Gauteng A
Wednesday, 19 June
12:45- Border A vs Western Province A
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