IT has been a few years since a KwaZulu-Natal junior ice hockey team has participated at the hockey inter-provincials but that’s all about to change this year. The IPT which will be held in Cape Town at the Grand West Ice Rink in July. Northglen News spoke to three local players, Seth Gwynn (captain) and Alex Wesselink and Bryce Woolf (assistant captains) for the U12 team.

Captain of the team, Seth or the Sethinator as he is known to his teammates, said he was honoured to be part of the KZN team.

“My brother represented KZN twice and went to a South African camp so it’s an honour to be part of the KZN team and carry on the family tradition. KZN hasn’t had a junior team since 2014 and we are hoping to make the province proud,” he said.

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His fellow teammate Alex said they were hoping to spring a few of surprises at the tournament.

“We want to win all our games and play well as a team. We have a really good relationship as a team and we are hoping to surprise a few of the other provinces in Cape Town,” Alex said.

Bryce, who was representing the province for the first time said.

“I’ve never represented KZN for any sport so it’s really exciting to get my first cap and win a few games,” he said.

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Coach of the team, Lee Jones, said they entered the tournament as underdogs.

“We definitely entering this tournament as underdogs. We have the added challenge of only fielding eight players while the other provinces have 15. I think the most important thing for the boys is to learn from the tournament and do their best. We definitely want to win a few games and spring a surprise on the other provinces,” he said.a