Eden women crowned national champions

SPORT NEWS - The Eden women’s A team produced a dominant display to win the 2026 South African Country Districts Ladies Hockey Tournament, hosted at York High School from 5 to 11 July, without conceding a single goal.

The team defeated the Northern Gauteng Daisies 6-0, KwaZulu-Natal Coastals 5-0, Mpumalanga 3-0 and Northern Gauteng Blues 2-0 in the group stage before beating Eastern Gauteng 4-0 in the semi-final. They sealed the title with a 3-0 victory over the Northern Gauteng Blues in the final.

Eden scored 23 goals during the tournament while keeping a clean sheet throughout - the first time in the tournament’s history that a team has won the title without conceding a goal.

Several Eden players received individual honours. Tanya van Bosch was named the player of the tournament and top goal scorer, while Casey Terblanch received the goal of the tournament award. Mari-louise Nel was named goalkeeper of the tournament and physiotherapist Maralise Maritz received the Griffon Award.

The success continued with six players being selected for the National Country Districts team: Rene Pitt, Aimee du Plessis, Jayde van Antwerp, Mari-louise Nel, Alahke Arosi (Eden B) and Janine Wasserman (non-travelling reserve).

The Eden B team also enjoyed a successful tournament, finishing sixth overall and receiving the fair play team award.

The Eden A squad comprised Mari-louise Nel, Rene Pitt, Hanna Kidwell, Shannon Nicol, Sune Conradie, Zainab Losper, Maruchelle Henning, Kara Vermeulen, Janine Wasserman, Casey Terblanch, Tanya van Bosch, Jayde van Antwerp, Kelly Honiball, Ngobile Masaku, Chanelle Booysen and Aimee du Plessis. The team was coached by Michael Pitt, managed by Kevin Damons and supported by physiotherapist Maralise Maritz.

Deliberating during the tournament. Photo: Supplied