Nika Coertzen, the founder of the Nika Coertzen Hockey Festival, said she was impressed by the standard of hockey played at the tournament in Bloemfontein, which concluded on Sunday.
The third edition of the event featured a healthy 48 teams, competing in the u12 and u13 age groups.
Oranje won the u12 section, beating St Stithians Girls’ Prep in the final, while Ashton College Ballito was crowned the champion in the u13 age group after edging out Oranje in the title game.
Reflecting on the three-day spectacle, Coertzen said she was hugely encouraged by the hockey produced.
“This was the best level of primary school hockey I have seen in 16 years of coaching,” she told SuperSport Schools News.
“The standard was out of this world, with intense, closely contested matches that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
“Beyond the competition, the festival fostered a wonderful sense of unity. Though teams clashed fiercely on the turf, there was a warm atmosphere of mutual encouragement and comedy, reinforcing the true spirit of sport, off the field.”
Coertzen, who coaches Eunice High’s 1st XI, started the tournament to provide primary schools with more opportunities to play, grow, and learn about the game.
In its first year, 117 matches were played. This time, each u13 team played nine matches, and the u12 sides played eight matches each over three days, making it 208 matches over the weekend.
The event also provided coaches with a chance to test themselves and their players against some of the best in the country.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this weekend’s festival a remarkable success,” Coertzen said.
“For coaches, this wasn’t just a tournament. It was a valuable opportunity to observe and refine tactics.
“Discussions sparked during and after matches are expected to sharpen strategies for the upcoming season.”
All matches were streamed live on the SuperSport Schools App, with some being shown live on DStv Channel 216.
“A special shout-out goes to SuperSport Schools for broadcasting the matches live on DStv Channel 216, giving visibility to this showcase of young talent.
“And a heartfelt thank you to Eunice Girls’ School for your unwavering logistical and moral support throughout the festival.”
With three highly successful years in the bag, Coertzen hopes to see the tournament grow to become South Africa’s premier primary schools’ hockey festival.
Results
U12 section team placings
1st Oranje
2nd St Stithians Girls’ Prep
3rd Laerskool Rynfield
Individual awards
Player of the Tournament – Lexi Schutte (Oranje)
Top goal scorer – Lindsay Seeliger (St Stithians Prep)
Best goalkeeper – Mieke Janse van Rensburg (Laerskool Rynfield)
U13 section team placings
1st Ashton College Ballito
2nd Oranje
3rd Rivonia Primary School
Individual awards
Player of the Tournament – Holly Cunningham (Rivonia Primary School)
Top goal scorer – Chani Vorster (Eunice Primary School)
Best goalkeeper – Dané van Rhyn (Laerskool Schweizer-Reneke)
