Queen’s College expecting to raise the bar in 2024
Queen’s College is looking to past losses to learn lessons and for motivation to make their mark on the 2024 hockey season. Past defeats will help uplift them, not hold them back.
Facing Merrifield College recently, the score was 0–0 at the end of the first quarter. Everything about the contest pointed towards another closely fought contest that would end in heartbreak for Queen’s College.
That’s what happened last year when the sides faced off and Merrifield squeezed out a 1-0 win. That result left the Queen’s College players pining for redemption – a rivalry was born.
“When we played them last Friday, as part of our pre-season preparations, the boys were motivated to do well. There was a lingering grudge from last year,” Michael Baiden said.
Baiden has taken over the reins of 1st team coach, succeeding Director of Hockey Siya Lusiba, under whom he had served as an assistant coach. The two years before that, Baiden had worked as the strength and conditioning coach for the Queen’s College hockey team.
In the two-minute break between the first and second quarters, the coach reminded his side to forget the sting of a past defeat and stick to the processes they had been working on in the pre-season.
“I tried to do things differently with them. This year, we placed a lot of focus on technique and tactical awareness,” he explained. Clear on their roles and what was expected of them, Queen’s College took to the field and turned the game around.
Drag flicker Brett Hoffmann opened the scoring before Bevaneo Maythem doubled the lead a short while later. Merrifield halved the Queen’s lead through a penalty corner, but that was not enough to keep the Komani crew in check. They added three more goals, through Hoffman and Maythem, with no reply. Five weeks of training were summed up in that 5–1 drubbing of Merrifield.
From time to time, opposition teams will find themselves playing against the first-quarter version of Queen’s. It is to be expected. However, Baiden is certain that the attacking and dynamic version that dominated in the other three quarters is the one that will show up most times, and other schools should be wary of his boys.
The Queen’s College team is built around Luke du Preez, a multi-talented midfielder, who is expected to captain the side. Du Preez is also a provincial u18 player. He will be supported by Aiden van Jaarsveld, who like Du Preez is a midfielder and Amathole provincial representative. Hoffman and Maythem spearhead the attack, while Rowan Miles anchors the defence, in goal.
“We have always been known to punch above our weight, always giving the teams in the top 10 a good challenge. This year is no different. We will not just be giving them a good run for their money, but will be looking to cause a few upsets,” said Baiden.
He also promised fair and even-tempered contests. The coach has a simple vetting metric for youngsters who make the team: they have to be good people. Good people respect match officials and the opposition. They are also coachable, which means they can bounce back from a loss because they are committed to working hard for the right results.
“At the end of the day, school sports are there to help us develop these students into well-rounded people. We teach how to handle victory and defeat with grace. That’s why we focus on the principle of applying yourself and hard work,” Baiden said.
Queen’s College fixtures at the Tony Godding Festival
Friday, 15 March
vs Woodridge @ 14:00
Saturday, 16 March:
vs Pearson @ 10:45
vs Grey College @ 13:15
Sunday, 17 March:
vs Kingswood College @ 08:15
