New beginnings as Voortrekker embarks on Wesgrow title defence
The first round of the highly anticipated 2024 Wesgrow Series kicks off on Saturday in the Northern Cape when Hoërskool Diamantveld and Bethlehem Voortrekker do battle in search of early ascendency.
While the round-robin fixtures begin on Saturday, the annual league’s final round is set to take place in July, when all of the teams will be in action.
The participating hockey sides include Witteberg, Fichardtpark, Jim Fouché, Voortrekker, Goudveld, Diamantveld, Trio High School, and Hoërskool Sentraal, with rugby and netball also a part of the package.
Voortrekker claimed the top spot in the girls’ hockey section last year and, under the new leadership of Kirsten Beneke, will be eager to retain their title.
Beneke assumed control of the senior side in 2023 and has just saw the team through a busy pre-season schedule.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools ahead of her charges’ first Wesgrow match of the year, she revealed how excited the side was to be back on the turf, and identified some of the goals the school is pursuing this year.
“I started to take over last year in September and have worked very hard with a big group of girls in the pre-season,” she said.
“I have also coached many of them previously, so we all have a good understanding, and have an aligned vision for hockey for this year.
“The goals for our school include winning our league, being chosen to participate in the Top 12 tournament later this year and creating a positive hockey culture at our school.”
Beneke’s side heads into its opening match with momentum, having produced good hockey at last weekend’s Balling Hockey Festival on home soil.
Playing against some of the country’s leading teams, Voortrekker stood its ground, showing character and grit, attributes which will be needed throughout the season.
On day one, they went down to St Anne’s Diocesan College, who ended the festival unbeaten, before playing to a 1-1 draw with St John’s DSG, who also enjoyed a good run.
Despite losing to the standout team of the Festival, Oranje, the Bethlehem school’s players dusted themselves off and scored a fine win over St Stithians College, before going down 2-3 to Eunice in a nail-biting clash on the final day.
“The Balling festival was a great start to the season as we could see how we measure up to the top schools in the country,” Beneke reflected.
“These were our first games for the year and, although we made some mistakes, I feel, as a whole, the tournament is a great stepping stone and momentum builder for the season ahead.
“We know what to work on and that is our current focus, so that when we come up against those teams again, we can pull the results through.”
Retaining the Wesgrow title is one of the key challenges for Voortrekker in 2024. Apart from the series, they will also participate in the Greg Beling Festival in East London in March.
The coach believes playing against the top schools will leave Voortrekker’s hockey players in good stead as they seek to boost their programme to greater heights.
“All the players and coaches are extremely excited about our first Wesgrow game for the year,” Beneke reckoned.
“It is an exciting opportunity to introduce the new brand of hockey that BVHS is using this year and measure it against our competitors.”
The Bethlehem girls will be led by centre-back, Carli Oosthuizen, who will be a key source of control and calmness.
In a team that features a balanced mix of experience and youth, their shot-stopper, Jamie Rayner, is another player to keep an eye on.
All the action from the first weekend of the Wesgrow league will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools, including the u19A hockey broadcast.
Fixtures:
Cassandra Astro
09:00- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Girls u16)
10:00- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Boys u16)
11:15- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Girls u19)
12:00- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Boys u19)
Kelly Park CBC Astro
08:00- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Girls u16 B)
10:20- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Girls u19 B)
11:40- Diamantveld vs Voortrekker (Boys u19 B)
- Day two of IPT sizzles with goals and intense derby clashes - 2025-12-08
- Gauteng on the board as KZN and WP pack a punch - 2025-12-06
- Aussie Crocs ready to wreak havoc at 50th Water Polo IPT - 2025-12-05
