The St Mary’s Investec Hockey Festival returns

The 20th edition of the action-packed St Mary’s Investec Hockey Festival will run from 4 to 7 April.

Thirty-two teams from around South Africa, as well as Windhoek High School from Namibia, will compete. St Mary’s is expecting more than 500 competitors and their coaching staff, and more than 7 500 supporters.

The matches take place predominately at St Mary’s School, Waverley, and will culminate in the final early on Sunday evening where an expected 3 000 spectators will fill the stands.

“This tournament provides for the uniting of women champions, helping to take them to the top of their game, during their school years and beyond,” said Danni Dixon, Investec South Africa head of marketing.

“Our aim is that the St Mary’s Investec Hockey Festival serves as a platform to promote and grow South African women’s hockey in the country.”

The festival started in 2000 when St Mary’s was the only girls’ school in Joburg with an AstroTurf. Last year saw a nail-biting final between Collegiate and St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, with no goals being scored in regular time or during the five minutes of extra time. St Mary’s Kloof goalkeeper, Nicola Havenga, proved the difference between the teams in the penalty shootout when she saved all three attempts, helping her team to a thrilling 3–0 victory. This was the first win for St Mary’s Kloof since 2007.

St Mary’s old girl and former Springbok player Shelley Jones (nee Russell) and managing director of the Investec Hockey Academy said it was an honour to have the academy and festival so closely aligned.

“I played at the festival many times in the early 2000s and we will certainly be on the lookout for budding talent at this festival as we strive to improve South Africa’s hockey talent pool,” she said.

Deanne King, head of the school, said a new multi-purpose facility will be used as a second field this year to facilitate more games.

Funds are raised at the tournament annually for treating injured rhinos, education about rhinos and fencing for a new boma at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

This year, Investec Rhino Lifeline has committed to match all funds raised up to R150 000 which will hopefully generate the festival’s largest single contribution to date.

Entrance is free to the public.

Related article: 

https://northeasterntribune.co.za/219182/st-johns-hockey-star/