St Anne’s ready for Super 12 challenge
St Anne’s Diocesan College is primed and ready to put their best foot forward at Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (Oranje) when they contest the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament, from 7 to 9 August.
Coach Morné Odendaal‘s side will be keen to pick up from where they left off last year. The ladies from Hilton were somewhat inexperienced in 2024 and that cost them as they finished 11th. However, they kept fighting until their last match, which they won 2-1 over Die Hoërskool Menlopark.
It is the fourth time that St Anne’s has qualified for the prestigious event. Previously, they were in action in the 2017, 2019 and 2024 competitions. Thus, for the first time, they have qualified for the Super 12 tournament in consecutive years.
“2024 marked my first time at the Super 12 tournament with St Anne’s, providing a valuable learning experience for our players,” Odendaal told SuperSport Schools Plus. “We aim to build upon that experience and deliver outstanding performances.”
Their experience in tournament hockey, which they have accumulated over the past 18 months, will be tested in Pool B, where they will take on DSG Makhanda, Paarl Gimnasium, Collegiate Girls’ High, Menlopark, and Our Lady of Fatima for the group stage honours.
Instead of having delusions about their standing compared to the sides in their group, Odendaal is realistic. “Embracing our underdog status removes the fear of failure and fuels our hunger to prove doubters wrong,” he explained.
One of the first things he did when he took over the reins at St Anne’s was to establish a year-round programme that sought to enhance the players’ skills and improve their awareness on the field.
That programme has already reaped rewards in its first full year of operation, with four players from St Anne’s earning national colours after the SASHOC National Weeks.
Kgabiso Morafo and Jasmin Kelly were selected for the SA u18A team, Holly Hofmeyr will represent the SA u17 side, and Inati Ngcobo will feature in the SA u16B side. Odendaal attributed those players’ successes to the St Anne’s team wholeheartedly embracing and dedicating themselves to the programme.
“I constantly say this to my team, ‘Remember, while you may fear not being good enough, the rest of the country fears you realising your full potential’,’” said Odendaal.
“I encourage the girls to be brave and believe in their abilities, feeling secure in their roles within the team. We strive not only to be formidable opponents on the field but also exemplary individuals off it,” Odendaal added.
The St Anne’s side will carry their coach’s wise words into their opening fixture against the Eastern Province powerhouse, DSG Makhanda on Thursday, 7 July. Both teams will be focused on making a winning start to jumpstart their campaigns.
