Players to look out for at Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge
The Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge, which kicks off on May 1, will bring together some of the top girls’ hockey teams from across the country for three days of edge-of-your-seat competition.
The showcase, to be hosted by Paarl Gimnasium, will feature 52 teams from 20 schools competing in the u14, u16, and u19 age groups.
It’s the first edition of the tournament and teams will be battling it out for the honour of being crowned the inaugural title holders on 3 May.
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The hosts, Paarl Gim, will try to ensure that the trophy doesn’t leave their precinct and adorns their cabinet, but they’ll face stiff opposition, all intent on taking the silverware with them.
We take a look at some of the u19 girls who might inspire their sides to glory:
Paarl Gim
The hosts will be led by Joné De Winnaar on the field. The Paarl captain’s leadership style is to lead by example. Her speed and technical ability make her an impactful force on attack. She is also one of the most experienced players in Gimmies‘ lineup, having played in the 1st XI since she was in grade 10. Last year, she was included in the SA u17 squad.
Paarl Gim has an outstanding defence. Players table to pierce that sound backline will still have plenty of work to do, though. Gim’s goalkeeper, Karli van Deventer, has nerves of steel. She is calm and solid in the goal box, a positive communicator, and is outstanding on first- and second-phase saves. She was also part of the SA u17 team that competed in the Mirnawan Cup, in Malaysia, in November 2024.
St Mary’s DSG, Kloof
Coach Nolwazi Nkabinde‘s side is one of the teams to beat this year, despite featuring only one grade 12 learner in their lineup. The ladies from KwaZulu-Natal have their sights on a second title in two months after winning the St Mary’s Waverley Festival trophy earlier in the month. They will be led by the industrious Nicola Forbes, that lone grade 12 player, who was judged to be the Player of the Tournament at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival.
Forbes is a phenomenal midfielder, with a high work rate and the ability to control and manage the tempo of the game. She will have the outstanding Tayte Stewart helping her in the middle of the park. Stewart is a strong carrier of the ball, blessed with pace and a defence-splitting ability when distributing the ball. In 2024, she was selected for the SA u16 team and All Stars indoor hockey side.
Up front, St Mary’s DSG has the prolific Jamie da Silva. The Grade 11 learner is clinical in the circle. Her outstanding finishing made her one of the top goal scorers at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. She is more than a finisher, though. Da Silva is skilful and extremely capable in one-on-one situations. She scored a memorable winning goal in the final against Bloemhof, at St Mary’s.
Oranje
The Free State side has two of the best defenders in the country: Marichelle Crous and Marlene Du Plessis. Both are in their second year with the first team. Crous made her debut as a Grade 8 learner. She thrives under pressure; the higher the stakes, the better she performs. She has big match temperament.
Du Plessis joined the senior side in Grade 10. Coach, Gys van Schalkwyk, says she can break lines in an unmatched fashion. Du Plessis is also a workhorse and leaves everything out on the pitch.
Waterkloof
Waterkloof’s Lenique Vogel is a dynamic and influential presence on the field. Her ability to create opportunities and drive momentum makes her an invaluable part of Waterkloof’s success.
She has already made her mark nationally, being selected for the SA u16 team in 2024, and she will be challenging for another national call-up this year.
Herschel
Hannah Henderson is one of the best leaders in schoolgirl hockey. The Herschel captain communicates with clarity and leads by example, displaying good sportsmanship and an outstanding work ethic on the field.
Spectators can expect to see her control the midfield and the tempo of the game by maintaining possession and creating chances on attack.
With an outstanding collection of talented teams in action at the Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge, these players provide only a sneak peek into the talent that will be on display. More stars will shine brightly at the hockey extravaganza.
