Pictured holding the trophy that will be won at the Grand Finals are Nomfundo Shezi (SPAR KZN), Nozipho Mkhize (SPAR KZN) and Les Galloway (Tournament Director). Pic:Val Adamson

Entering the tournament’s 14th year, dates for the 2024 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been announced.

 
The tournament that began in 2011 has fast become a firm favourite for young hockey players. Close to 75 girls’ first teams from high schools around KwaZulu-Natal will take to the various hockey fields to compete in the compact and exciting ten regionals in the build-up to the Grand Finals that takes place in July.
 
The much-anticipated schoolgirls’ annual hockey challenge kicks off with Maris Stella hosting the first tournament, the Durban Central Regional, on Saturday 2 March at Durban High School’s impressive blue astro turf - a new venue for this regional.
 
Back-to-back action in Pietermaritzburg will be hosted by the two defending regional champs:  on Saturday 9 March, The Wykeham Collegiate welcome teams participating in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional to their home turf, while Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School hosts teams for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional at the UKZN fields on Sunday 10 March.
 
Another action-packed weekend features the Durban North Regional that takes place at Curro Salt Rock, in Ballito on Saturday 16 March, and the highly competitive Highway Regional at Westville Girls’ High School the next day, Sunday 17 March.
 
Tipping off the April tournaments, New Forest High School hosts the Durban South Regional at the 3 Schools Trust astro turf, in Glenwood on Saturday 6 April. A week later, heading north, Grantleigh College  is the venue for the North Coast Regional. The defending champs will host schools from Richards Bay and surrounds on Saturday 13 April. Concluding the April action, St Patrick’s College in Kokstad will be a hive of hockey activity on Saturday 20 April for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional.
 
The penultimate tournament, the uMvoti and oThukela Regional travels to Greytown High on Saturday 4 May. Wrapping up the ten regionals, the KZN Northern Regional commences at Ferrum Hoërskool in Newcastle on Saturday 11 May.
 
All of the regional champions will head to the tournament’s exciting conclusion – the Grand Finals. The top ten teams will take to the turf at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 20 and 21 July.
 
Offering a lucky hockey player a golden opportunity, eta College will be joining forces with the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge awarding a one year bursary at the Durban Campus. eta College has nine campuses around South Africa, focusing on education for fitness, sport and recreational needs. The big reveal will take place at the Grand Finals where the fortunate young woman will be presented with this phenomenal opportunity.
 
All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.