Belgotex Sport Fairmont Easter Tournament reaches a beautiful crescendo

168 matches played over 4 days by forty-eight teams produced a reminder of the talent in South African Schools, while the comradery on display was a further reinforcement that school sport really is a vital essence of the fabric of the definition of Proudly South African.

Before the finals we were entertained by the placement games including the early application of the video referral in place. It was another stark reminder of the fantastic innovation in place at the Belgotex Sport Fairmont Easter Hockey Tournament.

In the girl’s tournament La Rochelle was able to secure the shield final with a 3-0 victory, they were joined in the winner’s circle by new Plate champions Stellenberg and Bronze medal winners Pearson who triumphed over the hosts.

In the boy’s tournament the Pearson boys matched their girls by brining home the bronze medal while Somerset picked up the Plate and Hermanus were victorious in the bowl.

With all the placement games done, the wonderful crowd at Fairmont and the plethora of people watching from home were eagerly anticipating the match up in the two finals.

In the girls final St Cyprians andSomerset College were looking forward to battling it out for a spot on the top step of the podium. It was a game with plenty of half chances but also a game where one goal could be significant and maybe even enough in what promised to be an incredibly tense affair.

St Cyprians got the goal in the third quarter when Jenna Morenos reacted first to a 45-degree ball from a team mate and the bobbled finish into the back of the net. The goal brought delight to the crowd being orchestrated by the wonderful Ricky Schroeder entertaining on the microphone.

Despite their best efforts to pull level it was not to be, and the 2021 Champions Somerset College would settle for a silver medal.

In the boy’s final a thrilling game, highlighted by the use of Video Referrals, was the perfect culmination of an amazing week of hockey. Paarl Gim and Windhoek Gym battled it out for the title. A see saw game was unbelievable in quality and entertainment. Windhoek Gym twice led the game and were pegged back. Windhoek thought they had a third go ahead goal, but the video referral showed the shot was outside the circle, which turned out to be a significant moment as Paarl Gimnasium scored with 30 seconds to go to dramatically to seal the title.

Pearson were the winners of the Co-Ed Cup with two bronze medals giving them the best overall result, meaning they take the trophy back to Port Elizabeth with them.

To our teams, our coaches, our supporters, our sponsors, our media and our friends. Thank you for your support of the tournament, thank you for the support of the players and thank you for the support of the game we all love! Our celebration of hockey became a celebration of life thanks to each and every one of you!

Individual Awards

Top Goal Scorer sponsored by Sabre Paints: 
Boys - Sean Slater 24 Goals (York)
Girls - Kristen Germishuys 17 Goals (SomersetCollege) 

Goalkeeper of the Tournament sponsored by SabrePaints: 
Boys - Zander Smith (Windhoek Gymnasium) 
Girls - Manish Desai (St Cyprians) and Jade Regnart (Fairmont) 

Player of the Tournament sponsored by SFPDaltons: 
Boys - Carlon Mentoor (Paarl Gimnasium) 
Girls - Lara Lowe and Nihaad Sulaiman (St Cyprians) 

Final Standings

Shield Winners: 
Boys - Hermanus 
Girls - La Rochelle 

Plate Winners: 
Boys - Somerset College
Girls - Stellenberg 

Cup Section
Boys:
Bronze - Pearson 
Silver - WindhoekGym 
Gold - Paarl Gim 

Girls:
Bronze - Pearson 
Silver - SomersetCollege 
Gold - St Cyprians 

‍

‍
‍

‍

‍