Northern Gauteng is a force to be reckoned with
When the Northern Gauteng u18A girls’ team arrived at last year’s SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein, few expected them to make waves.
They were not considered to be among the favourites. They were overlooked, and perhaps that “underdogs” tag played to their advantage.
Under the guidance of coaches Sinoxolo “Essex” Mbekeni and Suzanne Strydom, the highveld outfit surprised and edged out KZN Inland A 3-2 on penalties to secure a place in the final.
They faced off against their cross-Jukskei rivals Southern Gauteng A in the title-deciding clash. A fiercely contested match finished 2-2, but Southerns claimed the title 4-3 on penalties.
Northerns just missed out on gold, but they made their mark during that campaign. Now, in 2025, they’ll be aiming to go one step further.
This year’s tournament will be hosted at St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton, and runs from 30 June to 5 July.
There will be continuity on the leadership front, with coach Essex returning. He’ll be assisted by Kriekie Van Wyk.
The 16-strong squad includes players from Curro Hazeldean, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Waterkloof, Menlopark, Affies Meisieskool, Pretoria High School for Girls, CBC Mount Edmund, and Midstream College.
It is, though, a new-look team, with only Andrea Groenewald and Okuhle Ntshaba remaining from the 2024 lineup. Despite having to work with a much younger side, coach Mbekeni said he’s excited to see what his girls can produce.
“It’s very exciting to be coaching the Northerns u18A girls’ side again,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“It’s always a great challenge to compete at a national level. It’s a very different side to last year, but it’s always exciting to work with different players and try to get the best out of them.”
Schoolgirls’ hockey in Pretoria has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons, making selection for national tournaments more challenging.
While trying to pick the best possible side, the selectors have looked at combinations, strengths, and the X-factor. Essex feels the Northerns’ squad possesses a good blend of those traits.
“Selection is always difficult for Northerns,” he acknowledged. “We are blessed to have very good players across the region and a wide variety to choose from, and it’s always tough. However, I feel we’re rewarding players that have done well throughout the year.”
Reflecting on narrowly missing out on gold in 2024 in Bloemfontein, coach Essex admitted coming so close only to be tripped up at the final hurdle after a penalty shootout still hurts. This year, though, he recognises the challenge will be different.
“It’s still a bitter pill for us to swallow,” he said, “but this is a new year and a different tournament.
“We first need to work on qualifying for the semi-finals before looking at the final or winning the tournament.”
Northerns will aim to emulate their free-flowing playing style from 2024. They’ll be captained by Mia Pretorius, who will be assisted by Andrea Groenewald and Lisa-Marie Grey.
They kick off their campaign against Border A on Monday, 30 June, at 13:10.
Northern Gauteng u18A Team
Amogelang Motlatle (Curro Hazeldean), Andrea Groenewald (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Anouk du Plessis (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria), Beracah Mosaka (CBC Mount Edmund), Bontle Sejane (Hoërskool Waterkloof), Cameron Holworthy (Midstream College), Cara Bouwer (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria), Hannah Zhou (Home schooled), Jana Seebach (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Lisa Marie Grey (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria), Mia Pretorius (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria), Moya Reinach (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Okuhle Ntshaba (Curro Hazeldean), Onthatile Khoza (Curro Hazeldean), Thato-ya-Ona Dimpe (Pretoria High School for Girls), Zoe Badenhorst (Hoërskool Menlopark).
POOL FIXTURES
Monday, 30 June
13:10 – Northern Gauteng A vs Border A
Tuesday, 1 July
08:55 – Northern Gauteng A vs Western Province B
17:25 – Northern Gauteng A vs Western Province A
Wednesday, 2 July
13:10 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Coastal A
Thursday, 3 July
07:30 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Inland A
