New champs crowned at SPAR KZN hockey challenge
In a riveting final, Our Lady of Fatima were victorious after playmaker, Charly-Rose Boyall netted a rocket in the 23rd minute.
A NEW champion has been crowned at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge after Our Lady of Fatima won their first Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG on Sunday, July 26.
Wrapping up two days of phenomenal hockey, the Durban North Regional winner met a polished team from St John’s DSG representing the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional in the final. After a riveting, high tempo conclusion, Our Lady of Fatima were victorious after playmaker, Charly-Rose Boyall, netted a rocket in the 23rd minute.
Defending champs and host school, St Mary’s, were on the prowl for their eighth Grand Final title. Kicking off their challenge, the home team met Amanzimtoti High School in the opening fixture on Saturday, with Saints winning 7-0. In their second game they took on a determined travelling team, Ferrum High School from Newcastle. Ferrum’s Lisa Conradie only allowed two goals to slip past her.
Taking on St Patrick’s College from Kokstad, they found their stride again, netting six goals, but a superb play by St Pats allowed the visitors to slot in a goal, with the third pool game finishing 6-1. In the penultimate pool game on Saturday, St Mary’s met eventual silver medallists, St John DSG in a fierce and fast game that saw the Maritzburg team knock in two against the defending champs.
St John’s topped the log at the conclusion of day one, with St Mary’s in second place. Starting fresh on day two for the cross-pool playoffs, St Mary’s met the surprise package at the challenge, a determined Our Lady of Fatima. In a riveting semi-final that saw the ball rolling to all corners of the field, both teams fired off unsuccessful shots on either end. With three seconds remaining Boyall found the back of the box, claiming an emphatic win and giving her team their first ticket to the finals.
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Dusting themselves off after the nail-biting semi, St Mary’s turned their attention to the third place playoff against Durban Girls’ College. This was the seventh time the teams played each other in the podium position games, and the second time playing for third. In 2011 St Mary’s placed third, with College finishing fourth. The other five clashes were for overall champion – St Mary’s claimed the first three in 2012, 2016 and 2017 and 2022 and 2023 College were victorious.
Nearing half time, St Mary’s injected the ball into the DGC circle, with a brilliant play by Jenna-Leigh Freese who entered the D, and beautifully swept the ball with a majestic reverse stick shot that flew into the goal for the all important goal to secure third place.
The most decorated team, St Mary’s have a notable list of impressive results at the Grand Finals, adding to their third place this year, they have seven golds (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025), two silvers (2022, 2023), two bronzes (2011, 2013) and a fourth (2015).
Over the 10 regionals, matric students have been adding their name to a lucky draw to win a bursary through Durban-based, tertiary institution, eta College. Amahle Khumalo from Vryheid Hoërskool won a year’s bursary at the Sport Science, Coaching and Management college valued at R89 000.
Ten teams took to the field in the conclusion of the 16th year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. After 31 games over two days of high energy hockey, a total of 97 goals were scored with Our Lady of Fatima being the fourth team since the tournament’s inception in 2011 to win the title.
Results
- Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional);
- St John’s D.S.G. (PMB Central Regional);
- St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional);
- Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional);
- St Anne’s Diocesan College (PMB North Regional);
- Grantleigh School (North Coast Regional);
- St Patrick’s College (uGu and Sisonke Regional);
- Ferrum High School (Northern KZN Regional);
- Wartburg Kirchdorf School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional);
- Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional)
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