Collegiate were crowned the inaugural champions in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge when they defeated Hudson Park in an exciting final at Woodridge on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In a day of entertaining hockey which saw five teams vying for the honours, PE Coastal winners Collegiate and East London Coastal champions Hudson Park qualified for the final.<\/p>\n
Even though Hudson Park lost their final match against EL Inland champions Kingsridge 2-0 they had done enough to contest the title match.<\/p>\n
The final, played over 15 minutes in each half, was a thrilling encounter, with both sides having their chances to break the deadlock before it ended 0-0 after full-time.<\/p>\n
This resulted in a three-player shoot-out which Collegiate took 3-1 after Hudson Park missed their second shot at goal. That miss gave the PE team a 2-1 advantage and when they slotted their third goal they took an unassailable lead.<\/p>\n
The inaugural tournament involved about 50 schools spread across five regions and the good news for the players is that SPAR have extended their sponsorship to next year.<\/p>\n
“I can say to all of you that this has not been a one-hit wonder,” SPAR Eastern Cape promotions and advertising manager Wendy Westraadt said at the prize-giving ceremony. “We will be back next year doing it all over again.”<\/p>\n
She added they would be aiming to grow the tournament after being delighted with their involvement.<\/p>\n
“We came on board almost to see how it went. We wanted to be involved with schools’ hockey and we wanted to grow up-and-coming sportswomen.<\/p>\n
“So we dipped our toes in and we have been blown away by the support and reception from the schools. The vibe is so great.<\/p>\n
“The shortened format keeps the attention of the players, and there is a very good mix of camaraderie and competitive play.”<\/p>\n
Westraadt said they were pleased to see smaller schools competing against more established hockey sides, giving them exposure they “ordinarily would not have received”.<\/p>\n
“At SPAR we have the three cornerstones of family, entrepreneurship and passion. We have ticked all those boxes and there has been a lovely synergy between SPAR and the schools.”<\/p>\n
Collegiate coach Andrew Beynon said they had thoroughly enjoyed the competition.<\/p>\n
“It is just so great to have a major corporate supporting schoolgirls’ hockey and to be involved in a tournament like this,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We have had a long season and Saturday was quite tough, playing five matches in the end, but it was a lovely way to end the season.”<\/p>\n
The concept was started in KwaZulu-Natal by former SA women’s team manager Les Galloway, who is now the Challenge’s national director.<\/p>\n
She said the inaugural Eastern Cape tournament had been “an overwhelming success”.<\/p>\n
“It has worked from a player’s point of view where they enjoyed interaction with teams they don’t normally play.<\/p>\n
“Then you come into a final like today which sees sides from Border, EP and South Western Districts all competing against each other.”<\/p>\n
Galloway was confident the tournament would grow in the future.<\/p>\n
“This was the first year and nobody really knew what it was about. Now that they’ve heard about it, I know more teams will want to be involved.”<\/p>\n
She paid tribute to SPAR for their commitment to the initiative.<\/p>\n
“This would not happen without them \u2013 they come in with the family feel and the aim of supporting women in sport. To work with them is an absolute pleasure.”<\/p>\n
Regional tournament director Peter Wilson said Galloway’s role should not be forgotten.<\/p>\n
“It’s an amazing concept and I think she has made an outstanding contribution. She has been the driving force in spreading the concept to the Eastern and Western Cape and must be congratulated.”<\/p>\n
The results were: Hudson beat DSG 1-0, Collegiate beat York 3-0, DSG beat Kingsridge 3-1, Collegiate drew with Hudson 1-1, Kingsridge beat York 1-0, Collegiate beat DSG 1-0, Hudson beat York 4-1, Collegiate beat Kingsridge 2-0, DSG beat York 4-0, Kingsridge beat Hudson 2-0. Final: Collegiate drew with Hudson 0-0, Collegiate won 3-1 in shoot-out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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