Paarl Gim aims for consistency in 2026
The phrase “trust the process“ is often broadly applied in sports and can be misunderstood at times.
The actual meaning of the term is “to have faith that a well-thought-out plan will produce a positive outcome, even when results are not immediately visible.”
It’s a phrase that the Paarl Gimnasium girls’ first hockey side will need to embrace and trust in 2026 if they are to build on the successes of recent seasons.
After achieving incredible feats in 2024, Gim upped the ante even further in 2025 and excelled under head coach Danelle van Zyl.
They were, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of South Africa’s top teams, and played a captivating brand of hockey that led them to some outstanding results in the Western Cape and around the country.
In the forthcoming season, it’s all about building on that momentum, according to coach Van Zyl told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“I am so excited for the season to start,” she said. “We have been working hard in the off-season, and I am excited to see how the hard work pays off, not just technically but physically as well.
“We want to build on last year’s successes with a new team and to pull them together as quickly as possible to maintain a good team culture.”
Throughout the 2025 season, Gim lost just one game, falling 0-1 against Rhenish Girls’ High, in a league clash in Stellenbosch.
Barring that defeat, they were phenomenal and lifted the Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge title before going on to win the renowned Fairtree Super 12 title later in the season.
Retaining both crowns with a younger squad won’t be easy, but it’s a challenge that her charges could achieve, Van Zyl said.
“We lost five matrics at the end of last year, so there will be some new faces in the team.
“We are definitely excited to test ourselves against the best in the country. Our main emphasis is teamwork and enhancing each other’s strengths.
“We want to play with purpose and understand where we are going as a team. We are looking for a fast-paced, forward-thinking game, and everyone must trust the process.”
Coach Van Zyl’s troops will be in action for the first time at the Springfield Convent School Pre-Season Festival, which takes place from 13 to 15 March.
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