Ladies hockey team in World Cup spotlight

THE Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) has announced the team that will take part in the Women’s Junior World Cup to be staged in Potchefstroom, South Africa, from December 5 to 16.

U21 Ladies team head coach Tendayi Maredza told NewsDay Sport that they were targeting to progress to at least the second round.

“Preparations are going well, we have four training sessions per week including fitness and the ladies are in high spirits. We know it is not going to be easy, but that is our target to proceed to the next round,” he said.

The women’s team will compete against South Africa, China, India, Argentina, Netherlands, Belgium and Canada.

However, Maredza said the COVID-19 outbreak had affected their development programmes, adding that the team’s participation at the world stage will be used as a stepping stone in developing the sport.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected most of our plans to grow the sport, but having this team participate at such a tournament is a good stepping stone in developing the sport,” he said.

Zimbabwe has a fine tradition in hockey, with its ladies team winning a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. It did not win another Olympic medal until the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Squad

Georgia Allardice, Mercedes Beekes, Mutsa Bera (C), Hayley Clark, Tinodiwanashe Elijah, Simone Herbst (V/C), Jorja Jones, Courtney Lowe, Lavender Mandoza, Jenna Mathieson, Mufaro Mazambani, Mazvita MtausiGwaradzimba, Khanyisile Mzizi, Lilian Pope, Alexei Terblanche, Natalie Terblanche, Taya Trivella, Rumbidzai Zimuto Non-travelling

Stembile Chikoore, Tyla Falkenberg, Marisa Marques, Tatenda Maswera and Gugulethu Sibanda