St Mary’s D.S.G.: Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 July: A new champion has been crowned at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, congratulations to Our Lady of Fatima for winning their very first Grand Finals at St Mary’s D.S.G. on Sunday 26 July.
Wrapping up two days of phenomenal hockey, the Durban North Regional winner met a polished team from St John’s D.S.G. representing the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional in the final. After a riveting, high tempo conclusion, Our Lady of Fatima were victorious after playmaker, Charly-Rose Boyall netted a rocket in the 23rd minute.
Charging on to the astro for the third time, St Patrick’s College from Kokstad continue their fabulous consistency at the Grand Finals. In their third appearance, the travelling team notched up another impressive seventh overall for the third year running. They kicked off their weekend with a win against Amanzimtoti High School (1-0). In their second pool game, they took on eventual silver medallists, St John’s D.S.G. from Pietermaritzburg and held them to a 3-nil loss. Their third game was against the defending champions and host school, St Mary’s D.S.G. On the prowl for their eighth victory, the home team dominated the pool game but an exciting break from the visiting team created a memorable moment for St Pats.
Playing in her first time at the Grand Finals, young Cassidy Pierce managed to slot in an inspiring goal against the hockey giants. Pierce assisted by Kaylen Louw was gifted the opportunity after defender, Celine Miles fought valiantly for the ball in defence. Miles quickly fed the ball up to Louw and Pierce who wasted no time to spice up the game. The scoreline finished 6-1 to St Mary’s. With a bounce in their step, St Pats defeated Ferrum High School (1-0) in their last pool game finishing third in Pool A.
In the Plate semi-final on Sunday morning, St Patrick’s took on Grantleigh School from Richards Bay. In a feisty game, the Zululand team narrowly claimed victory with a 1 nil win and advanced to the inaugural Plate Final. St Patrick’s had to settle for their second run against Ferrum playing for seventh overall. In identical fashion, the result was 1 nil with St Patrick’s beating the Northern KZN regional winner. Since the tournaments inception in 2011, the teams representing uGu and Sisonke have dished up some thrilling results with some big surprises and a few upsets against the big names in KwaZulu Natal.
Over the ten regionals, matric students have been adding their name to a lucky draw to win a bursary through Durban based, tertiary institution, eta College. Amahle Khumalo from Vryheid Hoërskool won for themselves a year’s bursary at the Sport Science, Coaching and Management college valued at R89,000. Ten teams took to the field in the conclusion of the 16th year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, after 31 games over two days of high energy hockey, a total of 97 goals were scored with Our Lady of Fatima being the fourth team since the tournament’s inception in 2011.
Results: 1 Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional); 2 St John’s D.S.G. (PMB Central Regional); 3 St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional); 4 Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional); 5 St Anne’s Diocesan College (PMB North Regional); 6 Grantleigh School (North Coast Regional); 7 St Patrick’s College (uGu and Sisonke Regional); 8 Ferrum High School (Northern KZN Regional); 9 Wartburg Kirchdorf School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional); 10 Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional).

1. Celebrating the momentous occasion of scoring against St Mary’s D.S.G. during their pool game, Cassidy Pierce in the centre relishes the moment being congratulated with a high five by Celine Miles. The entire crowd erupted in delight for St Patrick’s College’s breakthrough at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. Photo: Rogan Ward.
2. St Patrick’s College Rayne Kitching gets to claim to ball ahead of her opponent from Ferrum High School Sethu Zwane during their pool game of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Finals that took place at St Mary’s DSG, Kloof on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Photo: Rogan Ward.
3. St Patrick’s College Rayne Kitching focusses on picking up the ball as her opponent from Ferrum High School’s Lisa Conradie outs pressure on her Zwane during their pool game of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Finals that took place at St Mary’s DSG, Kloof on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Photo: Rogan Ward.