St Dunstan’s College is ready to defend its home turf as it gears up for its annual Easter Sports Festival on April 2, 4 and 6, with confidence high across its teams.

This year’s festival takes place over three days, with the first round of fixtures being played on April 2. After a break on April 3, the action resumes on April 4, with the tournament concluding on April 6.

The hockey, netball and rugby captains have all expressed a shared sense of readiness, saying their squads have prepared well and are eager to deliver in front of their home crowd, with 68 teams set to take part across the three codes.

With strong preparation, unity and belief driving them, the teams are determined to rise to the occasion and make a statement on home soil.

After an unbeaten, title-winning run last year (winning 10 and drawing one of their 11 matches), netball captain Naledi Diraditsile is confident of a successful defence.

“We are going into the festival with a mindset of winning,” she said. “It may be a bit difficult because we haven’t played together as much and don’t yet have full chemistry, but I know we will work towards it and come back with another win.”

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Women’s hockey captain Claudia Dias said their focus is to halt the dominance of St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, who have claimed the title in the past two editions.

Despite losing eight matric players, Dias believes her youthful squad has what it takes.

“A lot of the players we’ve brought in this year are younger, but they have so much skill and passion for the game. That’s what we want to bring onto the field, especially against St Dominic’s. Winning this year is our biggest goal,” she said.

The men’s hockey side finished runners-up last year after losing to CBC Harare in the final, but captain Jethro Hardy believes their recent form from the Belgotex Co-Ed Hockey Tour in Cape Town, where they were unbeaten and scored 13 goals in four matches, has set them up for success.

“We are more confident this year,” said Hardy. “Last year, we had a very young team. Now those players are seniors, and our preparation tour in Cape Town has helped a lot. Our game against CBC Harare should go differently this time.”

On the rugby front, first XV captain Jayden Aucamp is optimistic, particularly with the inclusion of sevens.

“We are very used to sevens, and the coaches have prepared us specifically for it. You can expect strong performances. The competition is tough, but there will be big plays, big hits and plenty of entertainment,” he said.

Also Read: CAXTON SCHOOLS | Pulsating action expected on day three of St Dunstan’s Easter Sports Fest