Oranje is focused on the big picture
“Results matter, but the way we train, prepare, and show up for each other matters more,” Morné Odendaal.
Perennial hockey powerhouse, Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (Oranje), will head into the 2026 season eager to collect as much silverware as possible. However, their focus is on a bigger, long-term goal.
The Bloemfontein side has welcomed back Morné Odendaal after his three-year sojourn with St Anne’s Diocesan College in KwaZulu-Natal.
In his first stint with Oranje, a 10-year run, Odendaal’s teams won a phenomenal 36 out of 38 tournaments in which they competed.
In that period, Oranje was also victorious in a jaw-dropping 380 out of 400 games. That included a 127-match unbeaten run, one of the longest in the history of South African schoolgirl hockey. Converted to days, Oranje was unbeaten in more than 1000 days. Odendaal is hoping his charges can replicate that astounding run.
“This season forms part of a long-term five-year programme aimed at taking schoolgirl hockey to the next level again. We are currently in a rebuilding phase, laying strong foundations that will allow this team, and the programme, to grow sustainably, competitively, with purpose, over time,” Odendaal told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Everything that they hope to achieve as a collective hinges on establishing the right culture within the setup, Odendaal explained. He highlighted four core values that he has been working to encourage since taking over in January: discipline, accountability, fight, and belonging.
“We believe players perform best when they feel they belong. Every player is encouraged to be themselves, to feel safe, and to play with confidence. When individuals grow, the team grows,” he added.
The celebrated coach, who helped St Anne’s regularly feature among the top hockey sides in the country, said ticking off the above boxes will create a platform to develop players who are confident decision-makers and are proud to be part of a team that competes with intensity and clarity.
“The primary focus is to help the team establish habits that support long-term success and create an environment where improvement is expected daily,” Odendaal said.
On the field, his philosophy will be a balance between structure and freedom. He wants his charges to combine strong positional discipline with speed, intent, and an attacking mindset.
A key focus will be on decision-making; knowing when to hold and control the game, and when to go, attacking with speed.
The coach stated that one of his biggest desires is for his charges to play an attractive brand of hockey.
“Beyond the results, we want to play a style of hockey that is fun to watch. When people walk past one of our matches, we want them to feel drawn in; to stop, to ask who this team is, and to be excited by the way we play the game.
“Energy, intent, and expression are central to our identity,” Odendaal shared.
This year, Oranje will be captained by Marlene du Plessis. She leads through example, has an exceptional work rate, is accountable, and will play a key role in driving standards and culture within the group, Odendaal said.
Fortunately, for Du Plessis, she is part of a group of players who have bought into their coach’s philosophy, which will make her leadership role on the field easier.
“This is a hungry group,” the coach said. “They are eager to learn, committed to improvement, and willing to sacrifice for the team and for each other. They are also united by purpose.
“We are building something meaningful; one session, one game, and one decision at a time.”
Odendaal also took time to thank Oranje’s sponsors, Fairtree and Grays, without whom the school wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as they do on the Astro.
“We are very thankful to our sponsors. Their backing plays an important role in enabling the growth and development of our programme,” he said.
Oranje’s 2026 Team Squad
Dané Janse van Vuuren, Louise Scholtz, Kirstin Booysen, Louise Oelschig, Zené Beukes, Daniella Grobbelaar, Marlene du Plessis (C), Carli Oosthuizen, Carmen van Wyk, Marichelle Crous, Estelle Marx, Kayla du Preez, Camilyn Parkin, Ellé Cloete, Xylia Choene.
