New Champions Crowned at SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Regional in Kokstad

St Patrick’s College emerged victorious in the Ugu and Sisonke Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, securing their spot in the Grand Finals to be held at St Mary’s DSG in July. The host school defeated defending champions Hoërskool Suid-Natal in a thrilling final, marking the fifth team to engrave their name on the trophy in this region since the tournament’s inception in 2011.

Both St Patrick’s and Suid-Natal finished second in the logs after the pool games, with St Patrick’s trailing behind Port Shepstone High and Suid-Natal following King Edward High. The challenge progressed to a cross-pool positional playoff, where St Patrick’s overcame King Edward to advance to the final.

In the final showdown, St Patrick’s took the lead with a goal from Courtney Kitching, only to be equalized by Suid-Natal’s Luca Meyer. The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the final whistle, leading to a tense penalty shootout. St Patrick’s emerged victorious with young Rayne Kitching scoring the winning goal, while goalkeeper Sikhona Mcebesi kept a clean sheet in her first penalty shootout defense of the day.

With their win, St Patrick’s College becomes the eighth KZN team to secure a spot in the Grand Finals, joining other top teams like Durban Girls’ College, St John’s DSG, and Amanzimtoti High. The tournament showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship, with Bergview High School’s Arne Pieterse receiving the Most Promising Umpire award for his outstanding officiating.

The SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge continues to be a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and compete at a high level, with St Patrick’s College now aiming to make their mark in the upcoming Grand Finals.