Spar KZN school girls’ hockey challenge coming up
The Grand Finals that, for the last five years, were hosted jointly by Thomas More College and St Mary’s DSG in Kloof will only be hosted by St Mary’s DSG for the conclusion to the 2016 tournament with a new programme for the finals weekend being rolled out.
AS ALL the learners around South Africa settle into their school routine, KwaZulu Natal’s first team hockey girls begin to train for this year’s SPAR KZN School Girls Hockey Challenge that kicks off in February.
The regional tournament that travels around KwaZulu Natal to ten hosts schools, has close on 80 first teams participating in the annual tournament with the Grand Finals being held in July in Durban.
The Grand Finals that, for the last five years, were hosted jointly by Thomas More College and St Mary’s DSG in Kloof will only be hosted by St Mary’s DSG for the conclusion to the 2016 tournament with a new programme for the finals weekend being rolled out.
Joining forces, this year Varsity College have come onboard offering one lucky hockey player a bursary to their institution.
“Varsity College is excited to announce a new initiative associated with the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge for 2016, where one deserving young lady will get an opportunity to study a quality IIE Higher Education Qualification through us and of course, get to play premier division hockey in Durban for the Varsity College Hockey Club” enthused a delighted Carole Adam, National Sports Manager from Varsity College.
The bursary is available to any female that participates in the tournament; even though their school may not make it through to the finals they will still be eligible. The bursary will be announced at the finals and Varsity College will notify the chosen recipient before the finals in order for them to attend the prize giving.
“Heading into the sixth year of the tournament, we feel very affirmed at the success of our tournament, it has become a highlight on the schools’ sports fixtures. Due to our success, the tournament has spilled across the borders into other provinces. Adding to the appeal of our hockey challenge, we are excited that Varsity College have come onboard offering this bursary.” stated SPAR’s Managing Director, Rob Philipson.
Kicking off, St Dominic’s Academy hosts the Northern KZN Regional in Newcastle on February 27. Pietermaritzburg then hosts the second and third regional on March 12 with Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High hosting the PMB Central Regional and St Anne’s hosting the PMB North Regional; Maris Stella hosts the DBN Central Regional on March 13. The fifth tournament, the DBN South Regional is hosted by Kingsway High School on April 9. Danville Girls’ High runs the DBN North Regional on April 10.
St Patrick’s College in Kokstad welcomes teams for the Southern KZN Regional on April 16. Grantleigh in Richards Bay hosts the Northern Coastal Regional on May 7. Hermannsburg will host the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional on May 14. The final tournament, the Highway Regional takes place at Thomas More College on May 15.
The Grand Finals takes place over the weekend of July 23 and 24 with the winners of each regional converging on St Mary’s DSG to battle it out on the turf.
For more info on the tournament like the Facebook page.
