The Southern Gauteng U14 Boys’ team clinched the U14 SASHOC National Week title with a memorable performance, culminating in a 2-0 victory against North Gauteng in the final held in Johannesburg. The week-long event took place at King Edward VII and Jeppe secondary schools’ Astro Turfs, featuring top teams including Northerns, KZN Coast A, and Western Province.
Coached by Jeppe’s Head of Hockey, Bryan Hillock, with assistance from David Grace, the team showcased a dominant and stylish brand of hockey. They started strong, defeating Limpopo 5-1 and Northern Free State 9-0, and secured a quarter-final spot despite a 2-2 draw with KZN Coastal.
In the knockout stages, Southerns overpowered KZN Domestic 3-0 and battled Western Province to a 0-0 draw, eventually winning in a shootout. The final against North Gauteng saw goals from Matthew Jung and Tanner Napier, securing an unbeaten tournament run with 21 goals scored and just three conceded.
Hillock credited the team’s success to strong support from the provincial union, parent organization, and enthusiastic parents. David Grace noted the team’s growth and resilience throughout the tournament. Kivesh Padarath, the strength and conditioning coach, played a crucial role in maintaining player fitness and recovery.
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