Wits gives SA women’s hockey the edge to the World Cup

by | Jul 29, 2017

After beating Ireland 3-0 at Wits, the SA Women’s national hockey team prepares to play to play in the World Cup final 2018 in London.

The South African women’s hockey team qualified for the 2018 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Ireland at the Hockey World League (HWL) world cup qualifiers at Wits Astro on Thursday, July 20. The team were ranked fifth after beating Japan 2-1 on the weekend.

The HWL qualifiers took place between 9 and 23 July and hosted 20 of the world’s best men’s and women’s international teams at the Wits Hockey stadium at Education Campus.

According to the International Hockey Federation (commonly known as FIH) the SA women’s team is ranked 13 in the world. It was the only African Nation in the qualifiers and Wits was able to witness this momentous occasion at home.

Wits was awarded the honour to host the international tournament due to its “world-class” facilities according to Wits News. The Wits hockey grounds were built in 2013 and met FIH hosting requirements.

“We are delighted to contribute to the beautiful game of hockey and that our facilities are able to attract international events to South Africa,” said Adrian Carter, head of Wits Sports.

SA women’s national hockey coach, Sheldon Rostron, believes that playing on home ground gave them a great advantage.

“I think being in your own country adds other pressures and experiences that we have not faced yet much as a team with an event of this magnitude on our doorstep. We utilised the energy and the support well to contribute to our performances,” Rostron told Wits Vuvuvzela.

Apart from Wits’ tremendous efforts to ensure a successful international hockey tournament, some of the players on the national women’s hockey team are part of Wits’ very own.

Rostron thanked all the organisers and Wits for their contribution to hockey as a sport and their team for “making an absolute success of this prestigious event”.

The national team will now prepare to play in the World Cup finals which will take place in London in 2018.

Tarryn Glasby one of the players for the team said “we get to go to the World Cup next year, which is every professional sport person’s dream.”

 

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