Pearson High School is preparing to host the u16 boys’ hockey tournament, the Hibbert Cup, in Gqeberha, marking the first time the school has had the opportunity to compete for the prestigious cup on home turf. The team is looking forward to the advantage of their home supporters.
The tournament, running from Thursday to Saturday at the Rectory Astroturf at Grey High School and the Nelson Mandela University, will see teams competing in pools of three, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals.
Coach Karl Lavender is leading the Pearson team into the tournament, aiming to make a strong impression and potentially cause upsets against the top teams in the country. Lavender emphasized the challenge of being in a strong pool and the need to perform at their best to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Despite a rebuilding phase this season, the Pearson u16 side has shown promising form, winning two matches and drawing two at the Coastal Cup in March. Lavender emphasized the importance of sticking to the basics and running hard for success in the tournament.
While hosting a tournament of this magnitude brings pressure, Lavender emphasized that the primary goal is for the boys to enjoy themselves and showcase high-quality attacking hockey throughout the tournament.
The Pearson team will rely on key players such as Deanu Bezuidenhout, Zach Mclean, Aenry Biggs, and captain Philip Keen to lead the charge and secure victories in their matches. The team’s opening match on Thursday against Durban High School will be crucial in setting the tone for the tournament.
In addition to the host team, the tournament will feature other top schools from around the country, including SACS, Paarl Gimnasium, Selborne College, Grey High, Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, Paul Roos, St Andrew’s College, and Waterkloof.
With a full schedule of matches throughout the tournament days, the competition promises to be intense. The live broadcast of the tournament on SuperSport Schools will allow fans to catch all the action.
As the tournament approaches, the excitement is building, and the Pearson High School u16 boys’ hockey team is ready to showcase their skills, determination, and passion for the sport in the Hibbert Cup.
Avuyile Sawula is a respected multimedia sports journalist, broadcaster, and writer with a strong background in journalism and broadcasting. His expertise and experience in covering sports events bring valuable insights and analysis to his reporting. With a keen eye for creating engaging sports content, Sawula is well-equipped to capture the excitement and drama of the u16 Hibbert Cup tournament.