Top Teams Choose Stellenbosch

South Africa’s newest hockey facility is drawing world attention with five international women’s teams choosing the Stellenbosch Astro Complex as their summer training venue.

From December 29 to January 22, the top new facility will host Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Ireland, and Canada in the SPAR Hockey Festival, also featuring the SA women’s national team.

Fans will be treated to 22 international matches over 19 days. It event will be run on a festival format with no finals.SA coach Jenny King was instrumental in organising the festival.

Once international coaches showed enough interest in coming to SA, she sought the South African Hockey Association’s assistance in putting together the match schedules.

King is hoping the festival will help kick start regular international action for her national women’s squad, which has struggled to compete consistently at the highest level.

“The most glaring weakness in the SA team is that we are not able to sustain good performances for longer than three matches. This is an ideal opportunity for the team to train not only their physical ability over a long period of time but also their mental strength.

“Opportunity is also created for young players to see what true International hockey is, especially having the privilege to watch Germany and Holland.”

Tickets can be purchased at the gate: R20 (daily), R200 (series). 

SPAR Hockey Festival Fixtures – 29 Dec 06-22 Jan 06

Germany v Holland:       29 Dec, 1 Jan

SA v Holland:               30 Dec, 2 Jan

SA v Germany:             31 Dec, 3 Jan

SA v Great Britain:       8 Jan, 10 Jan, 11 Jan

SA v Ireland:                14 Jan, 17 Jan, 20 Jan

Canada v Ireland:          15 Jan, 18 Jan, 21 Jan

SA v Canada:               16 Jan, 19 Jan, 22 Jan