SA School Sports

The purpose of the tournament was to enable the top u/16 teams (12 girls teams and 12 boys teams) from the SA Schools Sports rankings (www.saschoolsports.co.za ) to compete against each other, as well as to improve the skills of the players. Paarl showed its beauty with the perfect weather and views matched by the fantastic hockey that was played.

After a very good year, Hershel came into the tournament as Girls Teams' favorites. With the top teams  participating it was always going to be a hotly contested affair. In the end it was Menlopark and Durban GC that made it to the final. Both teams held their nerve and forced a 0-0 result after some well defended attempts at goal. It came down to a penalty shootout. With pinpoint accuracy and nerves of steel Menlo converted their first three showdowns. DGC could only match two of the three showdowns. Menlo held their cool and scored a fourth goal giving them a 4-2 win over DGC and the much-coveted Top School Hockey title. Well done Menlo!

The final standings were:

The final standings were:

1. Menlopark                           7.Paarl Gimnasium
2. Durban Girls College           8.Eunice
3. St Anne's                            9.Parel Vallei
4. St Mary's                           10.St Johns DSG                  
5. Oranje Meisies                   11.Garsfontein
6. Collegiate                           12.Herschel

In the boys' section Rustenburg High School playedconsistently well setting them up in a nail biting semi-finalagainst Menlopark. After being down a goal, Rustenburg scored a courageous late equalizer and went on to win the penalty shootout 2-1. The table was set for an exciting final against the hosts Paarl Gim. Rustenburg showed their determination and claimed top honors with a well-deserved 3-1 win. Menlopark showed the depth of their hockey with a 2-1 win over Paarl Boys High to earn the 3^rd spot.

The final standing was:

1. Rustenburg High School              7.Parel Vallei
2. Paarl Gimnasium                           8.Outeniqua
3. Menlopark                                     9. Somerset College
4. Paarl Boys High school               10.York High
5. SACS                                           11.Pinelands
6. DF Malan                                      12.Swartland

Well done to Menlopark's remarkable achievement of a 1^st (girls) and 3^rd (boys) place.

The Players of the tournament were: (photo) Boy: Scott Patterson (Paarl Boys High Girl: Emere Steenkamp (Menlopark)
The Goal Keepers of the tournament were: (photo) Boy: Dian Oosthuizen (Menlopark) Girl: Marne Clase (Oranje Meisies)
Top goal scorers of the tournament were: (photo) Boy: Hanro Swanepoel (Rustenburg) Girl: Danelle vd Walt (Menlopark

Planned Tour:

30 girls and 30 boys from the tournament have been selected to make up a team to tour the Netherlands from 2- 11 December 2018. They will play 2 games in Amsterdam and 2 in Utrecht. In between they will have 2 skills training session by Netherlands coaches! Congratulations to these players – we hope you will enjoy the trip and gain some valuable knowledge, experience and skills.

All the results and information on the tournament can be found on the following social media links:

Web:                https://u16topschoolshockey.co.za/wp-login.php

Twitter:              https://twitter.com/TopSchoolHockey

Instagram:           https://www.instagram.com/u16topschoolshockey/

Facebook:          https://www.facebook.com/u16topschoolshockey

Photos:

Look out for the 2019 rankings from early next year. Once again the top ranking teams at the end of May 2019 will qualify as entrants to the 2019 tournament. The winners of the 2018 tournament automatically qualify for the 2019 tournament. Please diarize the 8^th -to 10^th of August 2019 for next year’s tournament. We hope to see you there!