Hockey stars in fine touch
Despite the nerves, Mr Bond said his charges played with passion and heart. “It was by far our best game of the week. This game went down to the wire, with Province holding onto a hard-fought two-one victory.”
Determination can set a destination.
A manager, 14 players and a coach took the long drive to Port Elizabeth recently to compete at the women’s South African Districts.
This tournament has been described as the highlight of the country districts season.
With the best teams from the districts going head-to-head, the KZN Northerns went in as the smallest union and the only team not playing on AstroTurf.
“We didn’t let this deter us – we were there to play to the best of our ability,” explained coach, Dean Bond.
On the first day of the tour, locals faced defending champions in the mighty Inland, undaunted from the onset and dominating possession and territory.
“Unfortunately, we ended up losing two-nil.”
Day two saw the Northerns against the Eastern Province Madibaz, a hard match based on Madibaz enjoying the home field advantage.
However, the team found its form from the previous day had carried over.
“We stunned everyone with a two-one victory.”
Facing Mpumalanga on the third tour day, Northerns found itself two-nil down within the first 10 minute of the match.
“We managed to calm down, reset and started playing with more confidence.”
Pinning back three goals to win three-two, Northerns was ever improving heading into the fourth day, against the Natal Coastal side.
“The ladies were playing the best hockey of their week, beating Natal three-one.”
Unfortunately, the fifth day of the competition saw the Northerns women dropping the ball, losing four-one to Northern Gauteng.
However, the team still qualified for the semi-finals.
Up against a team from Cape Town and with new caps in the side, Northerns knew there were always going to be a few butterflies in the stomach.
Despite the nerves, Mr Bond said his charges played with passion and heart.
“It was by far our best game of the week. This game went down to the wire, with Province holding onto a hard-fought two-one victory.”
The final day of the tournament pitted Northerns against the Madibaz again, in a bid for third place, but the team simply ran out of steam.
“With only one substitute on the bench and a lot of sore bodies, we went down three-one.”
Although no medals were earned, the team returned home with lessons learned, new friendships and memories to last for many years.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the fight in the dog.”
At a prize-giving function, Northerns recipients included Wilma Phillips for player of the tournament, Michelle Visser for most improved player of the tournament and Jessica Houareau the players’ player for Northerns.
All three of these women hail from Newcastle.
Mr Bond and the Northerns also congratulated players selected for the SA Country Districts A and B teams, at the Interprovincial Hockey Tournament in Potchefstroom in August.
They are Wilma Phillips, Ronel Purchase, Michelle Visser and Marelie Devereux in the A side, and Jessica Houareau and Louise Rebeiro in the B side.
“Lastly, we would like to thank our sponsors in Remax and Aon Newcastle, for always making us the best-dressed team.”
