St Andrew’s hockey stars
In a year which saw St Andrew’s College win 19 of their 29 first-team hockey games, four players travelled an extra mile - carrying the school’s name all the way from Webster Astro into various South African national teams.
Ross Vides (U18 A), Luke Hobson (U18 B), Peter Tharratt (U18 B), and Peter Jarvis (U16 A) have now tasted life in the national set up. However, they still hold the triumphs and defeats they have shared with the coaching staff at St Andrew’s close to their hearts.
First team coach and Master in Charge of hockey, Gary Frayne, claimed that all four players could reach the top level of the game should they wish to. He said: “(Their success) really is fantastic for the school. It’s unprecedented. It just helps to build a culture of hockey at the school. These guys work exceptionally hard.”
Frayne singled out Vides in as a player who had already proven his worth at the top level.
The Grade 11 pupil turned heads when he scored three goals in South Africa’s 3-0 series win over Australia. His year was capped off when his school rewarded him with honours for hockey.
According to St Andrew’s Deputy Headmaster Alan Redfern, Vides’s showing against Australia was no coincidence. He said: “The (South Africa U18A) head coach (Neville Rothman) was very pleased with his performance. His pace and skill levels are outstanding. The secret to his achievements have been his hugely impressive work rate and his faultless training ethos. He is more often than not the last boy off the training field.”
Hobson, Tharratt, and Jarvis all voiced their admiration for Vides. However, the trio have ensured that St Andrew’s hockey is far from a one-man show. Hobson and Tharratt made the Eastern Province U18A team this year along with Vides, while Jarvis featured for the EP U16A side.
For Jarvis, hockey is one of two loves. The Grade 10 pupil also won Cricket South Africa’s Player of the Tournament award for December’s annual U15 interprovincial tournament. He has not decided which of his two favourite sports his future lies in, but either way, it looks a promising one.
Although out-going matric Tharratt has made his last appearance for St Andrew’s; Vides and Hobson (who is in Grade 11) will push on together with Jarvis as the school bids to take its hockey to even greater heights.