Hundreds of youth hockey players were given a rousing welcome before the action got underway this week as the 2023 edition of the SASHOC Nationals was officially opened in Bloemfontein.
In preparation for the 18-day festival, participants attended an opening ceremony over the weekend to launch the highly anticipated annual event, which showcases South Africa's rising hockey talent.
Among those who addressed the players at the official opening were Southern Free State Hockey chairperson Louise van der Merwe, representing the host province, as well as SA Schools Hockey (SASHOC) chairperson Wendell Domingo and SASHOC marketing representative Clarika Strydom.
They were also motivated ahead of the tournament by various guest speakers including former Proteas cricketer Ryan McLaren.
The top-flight annual schools hockey tournament, featuring world-class organisation and hospitality, will host players in three age groups.
The event opened with the U-18 tournament, to be played between 25-30 June, and will be followed by the U-13 competition, being played between 2-5 July, and the U-16 event, to be contested between 7-12 July.
With organisers offering world-class facilities, A-section games will be played at the Kovsies Astro university ground. The B-section matches will be played at Grey College and Eunice High School for Girls.
Getting the action underway, there were standout performances across the board over the first three days of competition in the pool stages of the U-18 tournament.
Host province Southern Free State were leading a closely contested battle in Pool A of the girls’ A-section, going unbeaten in their opening four games to top the standings with 10 points. In Pool B, Western Province were at the summit of the log with nine points.
In the boys’ A-section, Southern Gauteng and Western Province were leading the charge in Pool A, with both teams winning their first four matches and taking 12 points each. Similarly, KZN Coastals were top of the Pool B table, also with 12 points after four wins.
In the girls’ B-section, Western Province were in control of Pool X with 10 points, while Eastern Gauteng and Southern Free State had raked in nine points each in Pool Y. Southern Gauteng and Northern Gauteng led their respective pools, with nine points each, in the boys’ B-section.
Ensuring the SASHOC Nationals is well supported, the national federation has been backed by multiple partners for the 2023 edition of the annual event.
These include sponsors Sportsmans Warehouse (retail partner), Grays Hockey (ball and umpire shirt supplier), Trompie Sport (sports facilities partner), and renowned brands SPAR, iKhokha and Airlink.
Matches will also be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools app, ensuring hockey fans, family members and friends can follow every minute of action throughout the tournament.
Pictured here: Despina Brooker (Sportsmans Warehouse), Dean Stokes (Trompie Sport), Nicole Birch (Sportsmans Warehouse), Wendell Domingo (SASHOC Chairperson), Tiaan van der Merwe (Trompie Sport), Marlene Gunter (SPAR), Kobus Bresler (Grays Hockey)
Supplied.