Player Profile – Luc Boyall (Northwood)
The reverse stick shot is one of the most difficult hockey strokes to execute. It requires both technical proficiency and timing. That said, Luc Boyall made it look easy when he executed it in a big match on 29 March this year.
Against a lesser team, Northwood might have been tempted to hold onto possession as much as possible while patiently looking for openings in the opposition’s defence. However, South African College Schools (SACS) is a different proposition. A one-goal lead is only safe once the final whistle has blown. So, Northwood, who were leading 3-2, attacked as if they were trailing.
The Knights burst into the SACS final third with just under three minutes remaining in the contest. Boyall had positioned himself in the circle, where he received a pass, and in one fluid motion, he slapped a reverse stick shot into the back of the goalbox to extend Northwood’s lead to 4-2. It was as if he had been executing the stroke all his life.
Boyall started playing hockey, or a version of it, with his older brother, Tristan, in their home from the moment he could walk. His first exposure to organised hockey was through the Riverside Hockey Club‘s mini-hockey programme.
He took the lessons he learned there back home and perfected them in contests with Tristan. A short while later, the duo became a trio with the birth of Charly-Rose.
“I think us messing around in the garden from a young age really helped all three of us improve our control and skills,” Luc said.
The results are there for everyone to see. Tristan represented KZN Coastal u18A at the SASHOC National Week in 2022 and 2023. He also made the SA Schools u17 side. Charly-Rose has been an invaluable member of the Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent first team and the KZN Coastal age group teams for the past two years.
Last year, she took home the Most Valuable Striker award at the u16 Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT). Luc, who scored 12 goals in the u16 boys’ section, collected the boys’ Most Valuable Striker award. The siblings were selected for the SA u16A boys’ and girls’ teams.
“That was a highlight for me,” Luc said. “I also made the u16A KZN Indoor side and captained them to win the first-ever IPT. I was also selected for the SA u16 Indoor team.”
Boyall, who made his debut for Northwood as a Grade 10 student, has 46 caps under his belt. He enjoyed a stellar season in his first year with the team and is enjoying an even better one as a Grade 11 learner. This year, he has found the back of the net 26 times in 20 outings.
“He is a special young talent. He made the first team in Grade 10 last year and did really well. Now he has taken the maturity from the experience he has earned and taken it upon himself to guide other players and teach them accountability and responsibility,” Justin Collins, the Northwood coach, told SuperSport Schools News.
Boyall is a player blessed with a big-match temperament, Collins said. He loves a big challenge, and big moments unlock the best in him. The coach went on to describe the forward as a really good teammate who always does what is in the best interests of the team.
“He doesn’t give up. He runs hard and stays focused. Most importantly, when the moment comes for him to step up and score, he does exactly what the moment requires.” Collins added.
Boyall’s hat-trick against Michaelhouse at the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament helped the Knights craft a sensational title-winning run last month. While that haul is one of his favourite performances, it pales in comparison with his hat-trick against SACS.
“My best performance for Northwood was against SACS at the Founders Festival, and my best goal has to be the last goal of my hat-trick because it helped seal the game for us,” Boyall explained.
While he has lofty hockey ambitions, the Northwood learner has his feet firmly on the ground and is taking things a game at a time, focusing on helping the Knights to the best of his abilities.
He’ll also run out for KZN Coastal u18A at the SASHOC National u18 IPT at Hilton College, from Sunday, 28 June, to Saturday, 4 July.
