In July a 35-strong squad departed for a two week tour of South Africa. With a four and five-night stay in Cape Town and Stellenbosch respectively, the girls hit the ground running with a three-hour coaching session provided by some top Western Province coaches setting them up for a gruelling six matches in the six days to follow.
The games were well matched and hard fought, and Sevenoaks were quickly introduced to the physicality and pace of South African hockey. The girls were fortunate to visit some fantastic settings and facilities to play in and received some outstanding hospitality. There were some excellent and mixed performances and results but the main outcome was that of enjoyment, lasting friendships and preparation for the season ahead.
Beyond the hockey the girls experienced the views from the top of Table Mountain, a traditional African Malay dinner with drumming, Robben Island and the Drakensberg Correctional Centre, penguins at Boulders Bay, cheetahs at the Outreach centre, chocolate, cheese and wine tasting, and the Cape Canopy zip wire (not for the faint-hearted).
The trip was rounded off with a two-night stay at the fantastic Kariga Game Reserve where they got up close and personal with elephants, giraffe and rhino amongst others, and a pair of male lions resting after the killing of a zebra. In all a truly cultural, sporting and gastronomical trip.
Results:
|
|
A Team |
B Team |
|
Pinelands |
W6-0 |
W 10-0 |
|
Wynberg |
L 3-6 |
W 4-0 |
|
Herschel |
W 4-2 |
W 4-2 |
|
Bloemhof |
L 0-1 |
W 3-2 |
|
La Rochelle |
W 2-1 |
W 3-0 |
|
Robertson |
W 12-0 |
|
|
Worcester |
|
D 1-1 |
Liz Joseph
View photos here
