Gearing up for the North Coast Regional Kayla Hassard and Jessica du Plessis from Grantleigh

The fourth regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge heads to the picturesque pitch of Grantleigh College for the North Coast Regional on Saturday 15 May. 

 
With hometown advantage, Grantleigh hopes to reclaim their title in this regional that sees six schools taking to the turf. Joining them on the day are defending champs, Felixton College, John Ross College, Richards Bay Christian School, St Catherine’s and Empangeni High School.
 
Half of the teams taking to the astro have been crowned in this region. Empangeni High School have four wins to their name in the early days of the tournament, with hosts Grantleigh winning three times and most recently, Felixton College lifting the trophy twice. 
 
Each school will get a good run after a year’s break, with five games in total in the round robin format. After the fifteen games, the two teams topping the leaderboard will get a chance to play for the honour of regional champion in the Take Two of the tournament’s milestone celebratory ‘tenth’ year.  
 
The games will be 20 minutes long, with play running one way only. Successful teams will earn themselves 4 points for a win, if teams draw with both teams slotting goals, they will get 2 points, and for a goalless draw only 1 point will be added to their scorecard. In the final, if the games are level, both teams will head to the spot for a three player penalty shoot out. 
 
So far, three tournaments have rolled out in quick succession with Danville Park Girls’ High taking the first win in the Durban North Regional. Wembley College from took the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional, St Mary’s D.S.G. from the Highway Regional. The following day Durban Girls’ High School hosts schools for the Durban Central Regional. The remaining tournaments all play out in the next month.
 
Please note, no supporters are allowed pitch-side under the current government regulations.