It was a red-letter day for Burgersdorp High when the school won the East London Inland leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in Komani on Sunday.
Despite the players having to deal with cold and windy conditions, tournament director Bev Forword said they had risen to the challenge to produce hockey of a very high standard.
A record 12 teams took to the turf and, after six years of trying, Burgersdorp were rewarded with their maiden title.
Breidbach Secondary from the hosting town made their debut at the tournament – testament to how it has grown over the years.
The teams were divided into four pools, with the pool winners advancing to the semi-finals.
Pool A was won by Hangklip, pool B went to Aliwal North, pool C saw Queenstown Girls’ High School (GHS) on top and Burgersdrop took pool D.
Both semis were closely contested and decided in penalty shootouts. In the first playoff, Hangklip got the better of Aliwal North to reach their first final, while Burgersdorp eliminated two-time defending champions GHS.
It was Burgersdorp’s second visit to the Challenge decider after contesting the inaugural final against Kingsridge in 2016.
The Burgersdorp High team who won the EL Inland leg of the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in Komani on Sunday were, back from left, Yolandi Bredenkamp (coach), Lisa van Zyl, Kyla van der Walt, Elné de Bruin, Danica Barbas, Lisa de Wet, Elri van Heerden, Elné de Bruin, Karabo Letele, and front, Zenique Gelant, Charneell Sakman, Suné Strydom, Lize-Mari van Zyl and Ance de Bruin. Photo: Supplied
On that occasion they went down 3-0, but this time they made no mistakes in defeating their Komani opponents 2-0 by way of a field goal and penalty corner.
The champions’ coach, Yolandi Bredenkamp, said they were ecstatic at finally winning the title.
“Really, for us it was an indescribable feeling and we are actually all still on such a high. It was a surreal moment when we realised we had finally done it.”
The team, she added, had been working very hard this year, but she still anticipated a tough showdown in Komani.
“I thought we may have a chance but really was just hoping that we could get through to the final.
“To get the win was a fantastic reward for the girls, who have really enjoyed the tournament. We all appreciated the efforts of the organisers and sponsors.”
Forword said the event, which had been attended by KwaZulu-Natal-based national director Les Galloway, remained a highlight on the schools hockey calendar.
“She was most impressed with the level of hockey and the enthusiasm displayed by the competitors. We are very grateful to SPAR for investing in our young players all over the province.”
Burgersdorp became the fourth side to be crowned regional champions this year. The others are DSG (PE Inland), Pearson (PE Coastal) and York (Southern Cape).
The remaining regional leg, the EL Coastal tournament, was postponed from May 14 due to inclement weather. A new date is still to be finalised.