Regional hockey stars to tear up the pitch

The first of the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournaments will take place in Newcastle at Hoerskool Pionier on February 21.

Eleven schools have confirmed their participation. These schools are from around the Northern KwaZulu-Natal region, and will include schools from Dundee, Vryheid, Pongola, Utrecht and Newcastle.

Local champions, Ferrum High School (FHS) will be looking to defend the regional title, which they have held for the past four years. Rival local teams, St Dominic’s Academy, Newcastle High School, Amajuba, and hosts Pionier will be valiantly trying to keep the trophy in Newcastle by trumping opponents and also the defending champions.

Last year, FHS maintained a brilliant clean sheet throughout the entire tournament with not a single goal being scored past the schools impressive compact side.

Second placed, Pongola Academy, will undoubtedly want to improve on their efforts last year, after they lost the finals in nail-biting rolling penalties after keeping FHS to a nil-nil draw.

Marketing Director for SPAR KZN, Rob Philipson said: “Each regional tournament has its own colourful character, and the Northern KZN Regional most certainly does, the day is a wonderful experience. A fond memory from last year’s tournament was an unexpected encounter, meeting a fluffy mascot Tjoppies, a sheep dressed up in his teams’ colours, with a top hat and long socks. It is heart-warming to see families, and pets, come out in force to support a healthy outdoor lifestyle.”

Tournament Director, Les Galloway continued: “Now in our fifth year, it is always a pleasure starting the tournament in Newcastle. We have great fun up in these parts. The teams are all eager to get the ball rolling, and so are we. Good luck to each and every one of you participating this year.”

For more information, like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow the tournament on Twitter.