Wayne Coetzee bids farewell to Grey College
With the 2024 schools’ hockey season in the books, the movement of coaches and directors country-wide is underway.
This week, KwaZulu-Natal’s Maritzburg College announced that their Director of Hockey Mark Sanders will assume the role of first-team coach for 2025. He takes over from Kyle Emerson, who will coach the younger age groups.
In the Eastern Cape, some moves are expected in the coming weeks. Sources close to Dale and Kingswood College have informed SuperSportSchools Plus that changes are likely.
However, Selborne College and Grey High, who enjoyed strong seasons under KJ Friend and Andrew Beynon respectively, will continue with their successful set-ups.
A notable move that has been confirmed, though, is that of Grey College‘s Head of Hockey, Wayne Coetzee, who moves from his alma mater to one of the most promising hockey programmes in the country at Parel Vallei High School in the Western Cape.
He will take on the role of the Head of Girls’ Hockey, replacing Jared Pittout, who has revealed to SuperSport Schools Plus that he will be stepping away from the game for personal reasons.
Coetzee led Grey to a very successful season in 2024, which included impressive results against some strong opposition. Captained by the dazzling Jayden Leech, they defeated Grey High School 1-0, Affies 2-1, Paarl Boys’ High 3-0, Selborne College 5-2, Outeniqua 6-0, and drew 1-1 with Paarl Gimnasium.
Coetzee also coached the Southern Free State u18A at the SASHOC National Week, where they finished sixth after going down to KZN Inland A in their last playoff match. In an interview with SuperSportSchools Plus, he said: “This was a very difficult decision to make as I care for the players and school a lot.
“Being an old boy of the school also makes it even more emotional, so the past two weeks have not been easy. Staff, players, and people around the country have supported the move with kind messages and talks.”
The move for Coetzee comes after 10 years spent building the hockey programme at Grey. He revealed some of the reasons for his departure.
“It’s for family reasons and a new challenge,” he said.
“My wife’s parents and my sister and family live in the Cape, so it has been part of the plan. When I got the opportunity with an excellent school like Parel Vallei, it felt like it was the right time and right thing to do as I will certainly be challenged and that can only improve me, and that’s what I’m seeking.
“I am truly grateful to Grey College. I was just a small piece of the big puzzle and everything that has been built and achieved is because of the hockey players, staff, and parents.”
When asked what he expected from his new gig, Coetzee said: “It’s an excellent school, with excellent values, and an excellent programme.
“The challenge will be to uphold what they have created and be the best I can be for the school and programme.”
Coetzee also had some final words for Grey and the players he’s leaving behind: “Grey College hockey, you have shaped me, and you will forever be in my heart.
“Lesson learned: always leave the jersey in a better place than you found it! The whole world will stand aside for the man who knows where he is going,” he concluded.
