Framesby High’s players are relishing the opportunity to showcase their new astroturf facility and their development as a team when the school hosts the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on May 9.

The Port Elizabeth Coastal leg is one of five tournaments in this annual series, which is back on track after the disruption of Covid-19 last year.

Other regional playoffs, each involving about 100 players, will take place in East London, Queenstown, Grahamstown and George, with the winners qualifying for the provincial finals at Collegiate in Port Elizabeth on July 31 and August 1.

Games are played over 20 minutes, which creates a challenging environment for everyone.

Framesby director of hockey Jordan Drury acknowledged that this would be a wonderful chance to demonstrate the school’s hockey credentials.

“When I took up my position at the beginning of last year, we were really excited to be asked to host the PE Coastal playoffs and nothing has changed despite the delay of a year,” he said.

“After telling the girls we would be hosting the tournament, there was an explosion of joy. This is an opportunity to showcase what Framesby has to offer and what we are trying to achieve in the sport.

“We are privileged to have a top-class facility of this nature and I feel it can take Framesby hockey to the next level.”

The Framesby hockey players who have been preparing for the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge at Framesby in Port Elizabeth on May 9 are, back from left, Chrystal van Rensburg, Chanelle Steyn, Zoë Terblanche, Milla Otto, Denise van der Spuy, Anya Weyers, Josie Strauss, Mienke Vinson, Zani Vlok, Nianke Bezuidenhout, Jordan Drury (coach), and front, Miecke Smuts, Clarissa van Rooyen, Shani Dames, Larunette Louw, Carla Gouws. Absent: Tristin Kearns, Anzell Ferreira. Photo: Rea Ann van Zyl

Meanwhile, Drury has been working hard with the first team squad since October last year when lockdown restrictions were eased.

“Besides the holidays, we haven’t stopped the hard graft as we try to instil a new culture into Framesby hockey.

“Previously there might have been a feeling that ‘if I can hold a hockey stick, I can play in the first team’, but the girls now know that hard work, commitment and fitness are required to make the side.

“We are also focused on creating a family group of players who have respect for themselves, for others and for the game.”

The Framesby mentor realised the pressure would be on in the playoffs, which will be a test of fitness and mental strength given the shortened nature of the matches.

“We have focused a lot on fitness, which is one of my big things,” said Drury. “The girls are excited about the challenge and the school is looking forward to witnessing the growth of the sport.”

SPAR EC promotions and events manager Alan Stapleton was equally delighted to have the event back on track.

“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome back 100s of young hockey players to the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge.

“It’s a tournament geared to bring schools which do not often have the opportunity to compete against each other together in a spirit of competitive camaraderie,” he said.

“While all Covid protocols will be followed, with no spectators, the tournaments will enable our young hockey players to again come together in a celebration of women and sport in a spirit of living limitlessly.”

The other teams to compete at Framesby are Alexander Road, Collegiate, DF Malherbe, Nico Malan, Pearson and Westering.