Parkside Men’s, Ladies take titles
In exhilarating displays of skill and teamwork, Parkside Men’s and Ladies’ hockey teams emerged victorious in the prestigious Border Hockey League Premiership, clinching the championship titles on September 17 at the BUCO Astro.
In the final, Parkside Men beat Phoenix Hockey Club 9-4.
Parkside scored the first goal of the game, going on to claim a 3-1 lead in the first quarter and set the tone for their victory.
Parkside Ladies faced off against a formidable Buffs Ladies side to clinch a 3-2 victory.
Parkside Ladies’ meticulous execution of their game plan, composure and teamwork could not be matched by the opposition.
Parkside Men’s win marked a remarkable ninth league title.
Coach Luaan Sedras said the victory was testament to years of dedication and hard work put in by the team.
Reflecting on the season, he highlighted the successful integration of talented young players into the Premier team and the remarkable dominance displayed by the squad.
The team conceded only 14 goals over ten games at a ratio of 1.4 per game.
Despite their impressive season, the team faced challenges related to loadshedding, which disrupted their training schedules.
Additionally, the absence of influential players for three league games set them back.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the team has set their sights on winning the League for the 10th time and continuing their tradition of bringing in young talent.
Parkside Ladies captain Gaylee Jasson was thrilled with the side’s victory, saying it was a testament to their teamwork and determination.
“It’s always a great feeling to set a goal as a team and to achieve it.
“Throughout the season, the team learnt valuable lessons about perseverance, particularly in situations beyond our control.
“Their unity and resilience shone brightly from game to game.”
Jasson spoke proudly of the players who contributed to the team’s success, highlighting the collective effort that propelled them to victory.
Coach Jason van Zyl, who guided Parkside Ladies to their remarkable triumph, described the win as an incredible feeling, especially in his second year of coaching the team. He credited the players’ trust in him and their unwavering dedication as key factors in their success.
As they set their sights on the 2024 season, the Ladies team aim to retain the League trophy and secure victory in the 2024 Easter tournament.
President for Border hockey, Nick Flavio, said it had been the best season yet for Border hockey.
He said Border’s executive and coaches were implementing plans to intensify year-long competitive hockey fixtures and formal leagues from October.
This would be done to prepare the region’s top players to represent Border at next year’s IPT in April.