Top teams in action at KES Hockey Festival
One of the most anticipated events on the school sports calendar returns this week when King Edward VII School (KES) hosts its annual Easter Hockey and Rugby Festival.
Known for its rich sporting tradition and fiercely competitive atmosphere, the hockey festival, which runs from 17 to 21 April, excluding Good Friday, will bring together some of the country’s finest hockey talent.
The event, which has played host to a long list of future provincial and national stars, will be contested on the Weinberg Astro, at KES, and on the St John’s College Astro.
The Red Sticks have made a strong start to the season and they’ll lean on their home-ground advantage, bolstered by a passionate home crowd, to continue their good form. Their Nomads Festival results included draws with Maritzburg College and Grey College and a comfortable 5-1 win over Selborne College.
King Edward VII’s traditional rivals, Jeppe High School for Boys, will be one of the teams to keep an eye on. They were undefeated at the Nomads Festival. Their results included a 4-2 win over Selborne and a tight 1-0 defeat of Maritzburg College, who are both part of the KES Festival.
Parktown Boys’ High, recently beaten 4-1 by Jeppe, will also represent Johannesburg’s interests.
Northwood is another side that has made a good start to their 2025 campaign. They were in action at the Founders Festival, where they won three and drew two.
After Thursday’s five games, there will be a pause in the action on Good Friday, with matches continuing on Saturday and Sunday before concluding on Monday.
KES Headmaster, David Lovatt, in a welcoming message to the participating teams, said: “This festival has grown over the past two decades into a hallmark of excellence, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.
“What began as a celebration of schoolboy sport has evolved into a much-anticipated gathering of passionate players, committed coaches, proud parents, and loyal supporters from across the country—and indeed, across generations.
“It is a time when friendships are forged, rivalries are respectfully contested, and the values of integrity, discipline, and teamwork are brought to life on our fields and Astro.”
FIXTURES
Thursday, 17 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
13:00 – Jeppe vs Eldoraigne
14:20 – Parktown vs St Charles
15:40 – Maritzburg College vs Helpmekaar
16:50 – KES vs Glenwood
18:10 – Waterkloof vs Northwood
Saturday, 19 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
07:30 – Jeppe vs Kearsney
08:50 – KES vs St Charles
10:10 – Glenwood vs Helpmekaar
11:30 – Eldoraigne vs Parktown
12:50 – Maritzburg College vs Selborne
14:10 – St Charles vs Queen’s College
15:30 – Pearson vs Glenwood
16:50 – KES vs Kearsney
18:10 – Selborne vs Northwood
St John’s College Astro
07:30 – Maritzburg College vs Queen’s College
08:50 – Waterkloof vs Pearson
14:10 – Jeppe vs Waterkloof
Sunday, 20 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
7:30 – Glenwood vs Eldoraigne
8:50 – Selborne vs Parktown
10:10 – Waterkloof vs Queen’s College
11:30 – Jeppe vs St Charles
12:50 – Northwood vs Helpmekaar
14:10 – Maritzburg College vs Parktown
15:30 – KES vs Queen’s College
16:50 – Pearson vs Helpmekaar
18:10 – Selborne vs Kearsney
St John’s College Astro
07:30 – Maritzburg College vs Queen’s College
08:50 – Hoërskool Waterkloof vs Pearson High School
15:30 – Jeppe High School For Boys vs Hoërskool Waterkloof
Monday, 21 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
07:30 – Jeppe vs Queen’s College
08:50 – Selborne College vs Glenwood
10:10 – Pearson vs Kearsney
11:30 – Maritzburg College vs Eldoraigne
12:50 – KES vs Northwood
14:10 – St Charles vs Waterkloof
15:30 – Helpmekaar vs Parktown
