FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

HOCKEY

FIRST TEAM AWARDS BUTCHER STICK (MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN FIRST SEASON IN FIRST XI): Gregor von Mayer MCDONALD TROPHY (PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE SEASON): Sebastian Hofmeyr COACHES’ TROPHY (TEAM SPIRIT AND SPORTSMANSHIP): West Mitchell-Innes DOWIE FAMILY TROPHY (SKILL, SPORTSMANSHIP, SERVICE, HUMILITY): Patrick Lambert SCOTT FRASER TROPHY (PLAYER OF THE SEASON): Sebastian Hofmeyr COACHES OF THE YEAR: Mvelase Mbambisa, Ian Crawford he 2024 season saw renewed energy and belief return to hockey at Michaelhouse. It was a year when the school stood behind the sport, and the players’ enjoyment showed in the competitiveness of the teams. The inclusion of Friday Night Lights was revolutionary and generated unprecedented levels of excitement around hockey. The sport has slowly been developing greater depth and this has continued to bear fruit. However, the arrival of two new coaches, Mr Nicholas Bérichon and Mr Jason Syce, brought not only innovative ideas but excellent results for the first and U16A teams. Mr Mbambisa brought a passion and discipline to the U16 age group that garnered wonderful results. There was a year-on-year increase in win ratios – up 4% from last year and 11% from 2022. The results ratio was 58%, which is a good indication of the depth that hockey has developed over the past few years. One of the most successful teams was the U14A, led by a cohort of talented boys who were able to perform with great consistency for what was a long season. The open age groups dominated our season, with the firsts, seconds and thirds all producing positive results ratios. The seconds played some beautiful hockey, which produced wonderful goals. The best two teams, however, were the U16A and U16B. The U16A played the most matches (26) and produced attacking, creative hockey throughout the season. They were flawless at the Independent Schools Festival, hosted by St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein. And they ended the season in August at the Top 12 Schools tournament, where they finished fifth, beating Paul Roos along the way. The U16B team benefited from an older U16A team and thus had a crop of excellent C and D Blockers who were able to couple determination with talent. They thoroughly deserved their season, losing only one match. Their results were: played 12, won seven, drew four and lost one. For the first time a head coach was appointed, Mr Nicholas Bérichon. He focused on structures and systems for the senior teams in each age group. Most importantly, he engaged with T

Master in Charge: Mr Grant von Mayer Specialist Coach: Mr Chaka Ngubane

First XI: Mr Nicholas Bérichon, Mr Lwando Saunders Second XI: Mr Jeremy Cahill, Ms Marcell Cornelius Third XI: Mrs Mary McMichael, Mr Max Bekker Fourth XI: Mr Doug Rodgers, Mr Xavier Saunderson U16A: Mr Jason Syce, Ms Aimee Nel U16B: Mr Mvelase Mbambisa, Mr Ian Crawford U16C: Mr Michael Sevenoaks, Mr Steven Ngwenya U16D: Mr Sanele Zikhali, Mr Isaac Jarvis U14A: Mr Grant von Mayer, Mr Dominic Leslie U14B: Mr Paul Snyman U14C: Ms Riette White, Mr Simphiwe Xulu

First Team Captain: Patrick Lambert

SEASON STATISTICS P W D L

G F 231

G A 247

153

64

62

26

AWARDS Honours: Gordon Deutscher, Thandanani Zuma Colours: Sebastian Hofmeyr, Sithsaba Simukonda Half Colours: Luke Camerer, Brunton Bigalke, Nicholas Fearnhead, Gregor von Mayer, William Gilson PROVINCIAL SELECTIONS South Africa U16A: Thandanani Zuma South Africa U17 coaching: Mr Jason Syce KZN Inland U18A: Gordon Deutscher KZN Inland U18B: Patrick Lambert, Sithsaba Simukonda, Murray Hall-Jones, Sebastian Hofmeyr KZN Inland U18C: West Mitchell-Innes, Brunton Bigalke, William Gilson, Gregor von Mayer, Asande Nkosi, Luke Camerer KZN Inland U16A: Thandanani Zuma, Ben Heuer KZN Inland U16B: Elliot Springate, Graydon Leslie, Matthew Hunter, Uyanda Magudulela KZN Inland U16C: William Aylward, Jarrod Frost, Ruan Ramanath, Preston Greene, Matthew Hunter, Henry Yeadon KZN Inland U14A: Jack Campbell, Hayden Ravenscroft, Nishay Sudhoowa, Thibedi Mogoba, Lindokuhle Nene KZN Inland U14B: Nathan Marshall, Caleb Reilly, Ben Terbrugge KZN Inland U14C: Owen Pelser, Michael Pieterse Coaches: Mr Jason Syce, Mr Nicholas Bérichon, Mr Mvelase Mbambisa Managers: Ms Aimee Nell, Mr Sanele Zikhali

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