The squad is hard at work, preparing itself for a tough challenge as no Southern Cape hockey team has ever won a tournament in Kwazulu Natal or the Midlands.
The challenge rests upon the 15-man squad selected from various clubs including the George, Quarry, Knysna and NMMU Hockey Clubs. They are: Marc van Staden (captain) - Knysna, Kevin Damons (vice captain) - Quarry, Andrew Moolman - Quarry, James du Pisanie - Quarry, Girshwin Sparks - NMMU, Alistair Trafford - Knysna, Sean Mackenzie - Knysna, Mathew Forbes - Quarry, Craig Clowes - NMMU, Nigel Leverton - Knysna, Darren Berry - Knysna, Bhakier Mahomed - Quarry, Ben Buys - George, Louis Barkhuizen - George and the goal keeper.
The Southern Cape team has been drawn in a very difficult pool and plays the following teams:
- Sunday, June 30: versus KZN Coastals
- Monday, July 1: versus Eastern Gauteng
- Tuesday, July 2: versus Southern Gauteng
- Wednesday, July 3: versus Western Province
- Thursday, July 4: versus Northern Blues
- Friday, July 5: playoffs
- Saturday, July 6: final playoffs
As in the past, the players selected rely on sponsorships and donations to raise the funds needed to attend this prestigious tournament and the financial implications are once again the deciding factor whether some players attend the tournament or not.
An opportunity to sponsor the Southern Cape men's hockey team is being offered and any interested parties are asked to contact Nigel Leverton (083 440 0086) or Donald Olivier (083 380 9499). Anybody interested in donating money towards the players' tour costs, are asked to contact the same.
