Paulo eager to lead Northerns’ SASHOC Nationals challenge
Northern Gauteng u18A boys’ head coach, Steven Paulo, is looking forward to leading the provincial side at the SASHOC National Week in KwaZulu-Natal.
The national tournament, which kicks off on 30 June and runs until 5 July, will be hosted by Maritzburg College, and matches will take place on the famous Pape’s AstroTurf.
Catch the action LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App and DStv Channel 216.
Paulo’s Northerns’ side heads into the event as one of the underdog teams, a label they will embrace and use to their advantage.
In last year’s tournament, the side from Pretoria played some good hockey during the group stages but lacked consistency and fell short of reaching the semifinals.
Ultimately, they finished in 10th spot, behind Western Province B and Border, who were relegated and will do battle in the B-Section of the tournament this year.
Last year, Paulo was in charge of the Northerns’ B team that won a bronze medal in the B section.
He’s taken over the coaching reins from Kagiso Mathaba, Stefan Coertzen, and Chadwin Petersen.
Colin Mendoza, from Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), will assist him, while Lesedi Leeuw is the team manager, and Justin Swan the biokineticist.
The team includes strong representation from Hoërskool Garsfontein and Pretoria Boys High, with St Alban’s College, CBC Mount Edmund, Cornwall Hill College, and Affies also providing players.
“I think players have chosen themselves,” coach Paulo told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We have been watching their school matches, and the boys have delivered good and consistent performances.
“Our goal should always be to make the semifinals. We remain focused on getting the processes in place and delivering good competition for our opponents.”
Preparation for the inter-provincial tournament is a challenge, but Northerns has the advantage of their schools being in close proximity to one another.
“Our prep has been going steadily. We have been working on building connections, and the boys are gelling as a unit.
“I’ve taken over from some seriously good coaches. I am looking forward to the challenge. I want to give the team and, specifically, the boys the kind of support that will make my predecessors and province proud,” he added.
The side will be co-captained by two of the returning players, Kabo Mulaudzi (Pretoria Boys High) and Luken Brunette (Hoërskool Garsfontein).
Joining Maluadzi from PHBS will be Owen McMennamin, Junior Moloisane, Rorisang Boshomane, Mwela Mutale, and Liam Brooker.
Hoërskool Garsfontein’s contingent, besides Brunette, includes Duardt Tollig, Amand van der Vyfer, Andrea Clerihew, and Lesego Msiza.
Affies has two players in the team, Johan Pieterse and Wium van Niekerk. The side is completed by Tyler Trower, from CBC Mount Edmund, Tuduetso Monnanyana from Cornwall Hill, and St Alban’s College star Clayton Koorbanally.
Northerns is in Pool B and will face Boland A, Southern Free State A, KZN Coastal A, Southern Gauteng B, and Western Province B.
They kick off their campaign against KZN Coastal A at 13:45 on Monday, 30 June.
Northern Gauteng u18A
Owen McMennamin (Pretoria Boys’ High), Luken Brunette (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Kabo Mulaudzi (Pretoria Boys High School), Junior Moloisane (Pretoria Boys High School), Liam Brooker (Pretoria Boys’ High), Tuduetso Monnanyana (Cornwall Hill), Johan Pieterse (Affies), Duardt Tollig (Hoerskool Garsfontein), Rorisang Boshomane (Pretoria Boys High), Wium van Niekerk (Affies), Tyler Trower (CBC Mount Edmund), Mwela Mutale (Pretoria Boys High School), Clayton Koorbanally (St Alban’s College), Amand van der Vyfer (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Andrea Clerihew (Hoërskool Garsfontein), Lesego Msiza (Hoërskool Garsfontein).
