Patience and growth defined Eunice’s 2024 season
Eunice began the 2024 hockey season with more hope than certainty. They had lost several experienced players, the cohort responsible for their outstanding 2023 campaign which saw them finish the year as the best team in the country.
By the end of the 2024 season, coach Nika Coertzen‘s young side was better, smarter, more mature, and ready for 2025.
“I think the rocky start we had to the season showed how much experience we had lost. But that’s life. We had to start somewhere again and build from there,” Coertzen said, as she reflected on a busy year.
However, Eunice’s start to 2024 wasn’t all doom and gloom. They appeared at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival eager to show that while they are not the juggernaut side that dominated 2023, they were also not a side to be underestimated.
In Johannesburg, facing the cream of the crop from across South Africa, Eunice raised their game and beat a disciplined and strong Paarl Gim side 2-1 to reach the final.
“The girls were so disciplined in executing a game plan and we got rewarded for it. Paarl Gim is such a well-coached team, and we have a lot of respect for them on and off the field,” Coertzen said.
Four months later, Eunice had played 55 games. Despite a demanding schedule, which pitted them against many of the country’s top sides, they won 32, lost 16, and drew seven, scoring 165 goals while conceding 77.
Two of their players earned national recognition – Bianca Rees-Gibbs was selected for the SA u18A team and Georgia Kambanis made the SA u17A side.
They were not the only players to enjoy outstanding seasons. Their senior players, captain Trusten Barnard, vice-captain Zandri Wiid, and Gretha Zietsman, kept level heads and held the team together, helping it to navigate tough periods. Their goalkeeper Christene Fouchè showed great improvement and bailed Eunice out in several tough encounters.
“These players were very visible and easy to point out, but they couldn’t have done it without the help of their teammates,” Coertzen said. “A lot of youngsters have grown. They stepped up and I am extremely excited about what else they have to offer. But it is difficult to single out players as teamwork makes the dream work.”.
The Eunice coach understands that her side has to deliver on the Astro, but her approach extends beyond that. She strives to maintain a balance of competitiveness, hard work, and fun.
“That is the key to a successful team. You want players to graft hard but also make memories that will last them a lifetime. And, yes, academics is the most important thing, but the life skills learnt on the sports field develop a well-rounded person for life,” she elaborated.
“Besides the hockey, it is about understanding a player and building a relationship with them in order to get the best out of them. That trust between a player and coach, and players with one another, takes time. It is of the utmost importance. As mentioned before, a happy team is a successful team,” Coertzen added.
The results of her approach were evident in the manner in which Eunice ended the season. They were not at their best when they went up against Oranje in their final league game of the season, slumping to 1-5 loss at the hands of their neighbours and rivals.
Two days later, they met Oranje again in the Fairtree Super 12 and, instead of shrinking and allowing Oranje to have their way with them, Eunice took the fight to their opponents and held them to a 1-1 draw before winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
That victory against Oranje was not their only highlight from the tournament. They came back from trailing 0-2 to record a draw against Durban Girls’ College, and they also registered a draw against the champions, Rhenish.
“We played our best hockey as a team at this year’s Top 12. It was like our passing game came together and we played a good brand of hockey. The girls showed character and demonstrated that this team, as a collective, will never give up,” Coertzen said.
The Super 12 campaign showed off the growth of an inexperienced lineup. They were on fire early in the season when they convincingly beat Clarendon, but only one week later they looked like a deer in the headlights as they struggled to string passes together.
“The key is patience and time. Yes, it was very challenging at times, but a special group like this year’s is always willing to learn, and putting in the hard work makes it worth every grey hair I accumulated. They trusted the process and I am exceptionally proud of the way we finished the season,” the coach added.
Coaching is about managing all the qualities brought to the table and making magic with the cards you are dealt, Coertzen reckoned. However, that magic wouldn’t have happened without her management team and coaches, the parents and other supporters, who rooted for the side throughout the season, she said.
“It is genuinely much appreciated and a massive TEAM effort. I am incredibly proud of the team of 2024 and, when I reflect back on the year, I cannot help but have a smile of gratitude.”
However, Coertzen is not content to rest on this year’s highs and hope for a better season next year. She is already planning for the 2025 season.
