The fixtures for the tenth Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at St Mary’s D.S.G. have been announced. Ten teams will take to the turf, promising an action-packed hockey weekend on 23 and 24 July.
Since February, the challenge has travelled around to ten regions in KZN, producing ten regional winners. Each of these champions will get the honour of representing their area at the ultimate conclusion of this year’s tournament – the Grand Finals.
The defending champion, St Mary’s D.S.G. and host school heads up Pool A. They are joined by St John’s D.S.G. (PMB Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional), and two newcomers Hoërskool Pionier (Northern KZN Regional) and Domino Servite (uMvoti and oThukela Regional).
In Pool B, 2019 silver medallist, St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional) will meet 2019 bronze medallist, Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional); King Edward High School (uGu and Sisonke Regional); Grantleigh College (North Coast Regional) and Kuswag Hoërskool (DBN South Regional).
On Saturday, 23 July, twenty pool games will be played, with games lasting 22 minutes one-way. Starting the day off, defending champs, St Mary’s D.S.G. take on Domino Servite in their inaugural Grand Final. Points in the pool games will be 4 for a win, 2 for a draw with goals, 1 for a goalless draw and nil for a loss.
Sunday, 24 July, sees the cross-pool play-offs and medal games, where teams will have 30 minutes to craft their magic on the turf, with a speedy change-over after fifteen minutes. If the scores are level in any of the play-off games, there will be an 8-second penalty shoot-out where three players from each team will head to the spot to try and claim victory for their team.
All games will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools mobile app or website. For more information, you can ‘like’ the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.
