Parel Vallei aims for new heights in 2026
The 2025 hockey season will go down in history as one of the best for the Parel Vallei High School girls’ first team.
Their determined, hard-working approach resulted in clear progression and some fantastic wins.
Under the guidance of coach Wayne Coetzee, the team built consistency. They revealed themselves to be a major threat, not only to their Western Cape opposition, but to teams from across the country.
While the standards set by the 2025 unit were high, PV will attempt to better them in 2026.
“We are extremely excited about the season lying ahead,” coach Coetzee told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“In the same regard, we are also nervous because expectations are high going into this season.
“We have set strong and ambitious goals that will guide us to strive for excellence and will hold us accountable as a team. One goal that is a must for all of us is to believe in ourselves.”
The school produced a handful of u16 and u18 provincial players last year, some of whom went on to represent South African Schools teams.
While Coetzee bade farewell to some of his senior players last year, there is still plenty of experience in the team, and he will rely on those experienced heads to guide the team’s newcomers.
“The senior players in the side always have a massive responsibility in setting the standard,” he explained.
“They should always hold themselves and the team accountable and show a sense of care for the newcomers.
“It’s going to be important for them to lead from the front and put their hands up on every occasion that demands maturity and excellence.”
Parel Vallei’s season starts in March at the Springfield Hockey Festival in Cape Town.
After that, they’ll head over to Johannesburg to participate in the prestigious St Mary’s Waverley Festival for the first time in the school’s history. They automatically qualified for the festival by winning the Courage Cup last year at Kingsmead College.
After St Mary’s, coach Coetzee and his side will enjoy a short 11-day break before kicking off their derby season against DF Malan in the Western Cape.
“We want to play against the best in the country. Therefore, every game will be an opportunity for us to claim some scalps,” the coach said.
“People can expect a high-octane game that is entertaining, fearless, and calculated.”
