WP boys and girls raring to go in Bloemfontein

THE Western Province Under-18 boys and girls’ hockey teams compete in the national tournaments in Bloemfontein from today until Friday.

Ryan Pillay has been at the helm of the WP girls team – the defending champions in Bloem – for some time. Pillay has also been appointed national U16 girls coach for the upcoming international series. The WP squad has plenty of Grand Challenge experience, with most of the side playing first-team for Constantiaberg.

The U18 boys side has seen a shake-up after last year’s seventh-placed finish. Jody Erasmus has been appointed, having coached the Peninsula team at last year’s tournament.

“We have two SA Under-18 players and five SA Under-16 players in our squad,” he said. “The boys are raring to go and we have a fully-fit squad.”

Matthew Roman has been appointed captain and he has a leadership team of Wesley Gardiner, Max Pike and Che February to call on. National and provincial striker Dayaan Cassiem will lead the line. WP Boys: Tim Alfeld (Rondebosch), Malachy Barbour (Bishops), Dayaan Cassiem (Bishops), Jeremy Chiyanika (Rondebosch), Wade Dollman (Wynberg), Che February (Wynberg), Wesley Gardener (Bishops), Nick Giger (Rondebosch), Callen Heynes (Wynberg), Chase Lourens (Wynberg), Liam Madison (Wynberg), Samuel Peters (Fairmont), Max Pike (Rondebosch), Christian Rohrer Christian (Bishops), Matthew Roman (Rondebosch). Coach: Jody Erasmus. WP Girls: Alex Glaum (Herschel), Amber Scott (Herschel), Amina Williams (Wynberg), Casey Wheeler (Rustenburg), Chelsea Manoek (Wynberg), Clem Golding (Herschel), Courtney Wheeler (Rustenburg), Teagan Crament (Fairmont), Jamie Southgate (Wynberg), Sasha Sivertsen (Wynberg), Julia Masureik (Fairmont), Kaylen du Toit (Stellenberg), Monya Miller (Stellenberg), Nicki Du Plessis (Herschel), Kristen Naidoo (Rustenburg), Lize Steyn (Stellenberg). Coach: Ryan Pillay.