St Anne’s hockey team is taking the game forward
St Anne’s Diocesan College is focussed on continuous improvement in the 2025 hockey season. They have been following that path since 2022, when Morne Odendaal took over as the head coach of the Hilton school.
“St Anne’s hockey has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two years,” Odendaal told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We were not one of the top teams at the close of 2022. However, since then our journey has been one of profound cultural change, shifting from mere participation to the relentless pursuit of excellence through hard work and grit.”
That was the mentality they carried into the 2024 edition of the Fairtree Super 12 tournament, which brings together the top 12 teams in South Africa.
St Anne’s, then captained by Lucy Porril, gave the other participants a good run for their money and they concluded the tournament with a 2-1 win over Menlopark. A couple of weeks after that victory, Odendaal and his side were using that victory as a springboard for their 2025 season.
Their appearance at the 2024 Super 12 also reflected the progress that St Anne’s has made on the hockey field. It was the first time they had qualified for the elite tournament in five years.
Since taking charge of hockey at St Anne’s, Odendaal has established a year-round hockey programme. He explained that a structured approach fosters individual confidence and is crucial in building trust among teammates.
Before he joined St Anne’s, Odendaal was widely recognised as being the driving force behind C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje‘s ascent to being the number one hockey-playing school in South Africa.
Another important area of focus at St Anne’s is identifying young talent and equipping those players to compete for the senior team. Last year, the school regularly fielded among the youngest sides at tournaments.
“Our first team boasts an impressive roster, collectively amassing over 750 caps. It’s a group seasoned with experience and fuelled by a collective desire to redefine their narrative,” Odendaal said.
The side also has a sprinkling of young players. This helps in maintaining continuity from one cohort to the next.
The 2025 team will be captained by Jasmin Kelly. The industrious centre-back will have her first outing as skipper at the Balling Hockey Festival in Bethlehem at the end of February. Then, St Anne’s will head off to East London in mid-March for the Greg Beling Hockey Festival.
Jasmin and her sister, Jade, are one of three pairs of siblings in the St Anne’s side. They also have Nikki and Emma Thomas, and Holly and Belle Hofmeyr.
They may be heading to pre-season events, but St Anne’s will be intent on delivering excellent hockey. There won’t be any half-measures. Odendaal’s charges will have their sights set on achieving a higher level of performance than they produced in their previous outings at both festivals.
“Our team ethos centers on mindfulness and living in the present moment, steering clear of autopilot, and focussing on the joy of competition. Embracing a value-driven approach, we uphold integrity, discipline, and teamwork, ensuring each game is marked by high-pressure tactics and a fast-paced style – all delivered with smiles and a unified team spirit,” said Odendaal.
“St Anne’s offers not just an education but an unparalleled opportunity for passionate hockey players to realise their full potential,” he added.
