Hockey players push to qualify
AUCKLAND PARK – UJ pupils have been selected to participate in the upcoming qualifiers for the Junior World Cup.
Eleven representatives from the University of Johannesburg’s hockey club have been included in the national U21 squads for the Junior World Cup Africa Qualifier tournaments in Windhoek, Namibia.
The players, Carmen Smith, Cheneal Raubenheimer, Kristen Paton and Marizen Marais, were selected for the women’s team, while Kyle Lion-Cachet, Tyson Dlungwana, Ryan Crowe and Amkelwe Letuka were accepted for the men’s side. Goalkeeper, Matthew Martins, is the non-travelling reserve while the others will travel to Namibia for the qualifers between 18 and 28 March.
The teams were selected after the recent U21 camps in Pretoria and their aim will be to qualify through the African event for next year’s Junior World Cup.
In addition, UJ hockey mentor, Garreth Ewing, was recognised for his skills in being named the men’s head coach, while hockey club manager, Elize le Roux, will attend the tournament as a technical official. Lastly, Christy McCrorie is the video analyst for the women’s team.
Le Roux said the players’ selection was in recognition of the efforts put in by the UJ Hockey Club to develop the talent in their ranks. “It contributes to their dreams of playing for the national teams and is an indication of the club’s contribution to grow the sport. It also provides exposure for the players on national and international platforms, which is a boost for their career opportunities after their playing careers are done,” said Le Roux.
Smith and Marais have both played for the women’s national senior team, while they, along with Paton and Raubenheimer were part of the UJ team that won the Varsity Hockey and University Sport South Africa (Ussa) titles last year.
Among the men, Lion-Cachet is a second-year student and was a member of the team that won the Southern Gauteng premier league in 2015. The trio of Crowe, Letuka and Dlungwana are new recruits, but have already caught the eye of the Southern Gauteng provincial group from which the squad for the inter-provincial in April, will be chosen.
Details: University of Johannesburg, 011 559 4555.
Related stories:
R31 million already raised for the UJ missing middle
