The top primary school girls’ hockey teams from across the country participated in the Nika Coertzen Hockey Festival at Eunice Primary School this past weekend.

It kicked off with a surprise silent disco on Thursday evening, 16 July – a fun, energy-filled way to unite the players and get everyone in festival mode before the whistle blew.

The 48 teams that descended on the festival with fierce determination were rewarded with a showcase of incredible skill and spirit that left coaches and supporters in awe. Each team played nine matches in the U13 section and eight in the U12 section in the three days of the tournament, from Thursday to Sunday.

The winner in the U12 section was the team of Laer Meisieskool Oranje, with St Stithians Girls’ Prep in second place and Laerskool Rynfield in third place.

The title of player of the tournament went to Lexi Schutte of Oranje. The top goal scorer was Lindsay Seeliger of St Stithians, and the best goalkeeper was Mieke Janse van Rensburg from Rynfield.

In the U13 section, Ashton International College Ballito won; with Oranje in second place and Rivonia Primary School third. Charni Vorster of Eunice was the top goal scorer. Holly Cunningham of Rivonia was player of the tournament and Dané van Rhyn of Laerskool Schweizer-Reneke was best goalkeeper.