Rule out Paul Roos at your peril in 2025
The 2024 schoolboy hockey season in South Africa produced thrilling matchups, storylines, and scintillating action on the Astroturf, and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), from Stellenbosch, played its part in the narrative.
The boys in maroon, led by coach Michael Baker, were among the cream of the crop and played an exciting brand of hockey while taking on many of South Africa’s best teams.
It was a season to savour for PRG, especially since they had changed management after the 2023 season.
Coach Baker arrived in Stellenbosch in January 2024 and took over as the Director of Hockey and coach of the 1st XI from Ashlin Freddy.
There was a sense of optimism, suspense, and curiosity as to what Baker would deliver in such a competitive province.
He came from Durban High School (DHS), where he produced remarkable results, turning DHS from punching bags into one of the premier programmes in the country, which produced huge numbers of provincial players annually. Baker’s track record was rock-solid, but the competition in the Western Cape is fierce.
Despite his past achievements, Baker still had to gain the trust of the players, parents, and other staff in his programme. His mission to do so got off on a wobbly note when PRG suffered a shock 0-1 defeat against Rondebosch Boys’ High in April.
After that loss, calm heads were needed within the team and in PRG hockey circles. Baker and his boys used that defeat as motivation. It sparked the team to life, and matters quickly changed for the good.
PRG went on a strong unbeaten run, which included winning the Hibbert Shield after beating South African College High School (SACS) in a thriller of a final in Gqeberha.
Their only defeat thereafter came against SACS in a derby match in Cape Town.
Apart from those two losses, they showed their class against a tough line-up of opponents and recorded impressive wins against, among others, Paarl Gimnasium, Wynberg Boys’ High, and Grey College, in their last outing of the season.
“We played 26 games and lost only twice. We won the Hibbert Shield and were involved in some incredible comebacks. I would say that’s a decent season,” coach Baker told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“In this climate, with every school running great programmes, it’s getting harder and harder to have these types of seasons, especially in the Cape.
“Replacing Ash (Ashlin Freddy) left massive shoes to fill. He is a legend on the coaching circuit. So, it’s great getting this first year under the belt.”
PRG has a fairly young and hungry squad 1st team squad for 2025.
The team bade farewell to a whopping nine senior players last season, including the outstanding Reuben Sendzul.
Baker says the youngsters coming through want to make a statement.
“The start of the year is tough with any group, balancing with summer sports, and you have no idea if your team is good or not until you play that first game.
“We will have an extremely young group this year.
“We are probably not on everyone’s radar for 2025, but this is Paul Roos. This school has a huge culture of winning and excellence, so I am sure we will cause a few surprises.”
The team will be captained by the experienced Christo Swanepoel, who is on course to win his 100th cap for the school.
The most exciting thing for Michael Baker about the forthcoming season is the element of surprise that his charges will bring to the table. “Imagine a Paul Roos team arriving at a fixture with no pressure. It’s going to be so exciting to watch,” he enthused.
“However, we have the likes of Christo and a group of boys who just love the game. We will be well prepared.”
Some people pay attention to national rankings, but, said Baker, that’s not something that is neither a focus nor an interest of his.
“The ranking system is complicated, and it’s one of those when you’re on top, you talk about it. When you’re not, you moan about it,” he candidly said.
“For me, sport is simple. Whoever wins the most hockey games is the best.
“It’s not something we talk about or strive for. We just want to beat whoever we play against next.
“If you are ranked first or 39th, we will prepare in the exact same way. It’s an honour to play for this badge.”
When asked what PRG supporters can expect from the team in 2025, Baker said: “Just never write us off. We are young. We love this game and have nothing to lose.
“A PRG fixture in 2025 will always be worth watching,” he concluded.
PRG will kick off their season at the Parel Vallei Boys’ Hockey Festival on 14-15 March.
