Without the administrators and officials who oversee all levels of the game around the country, South African Schools Hockey would not be in the strong position it finds itself in as we look ahead to another prosperous and successful 2023 season.
Closing out the 2022 campaign with the SASHOC AGM, which was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre on 28 October, the federation took the opportunity to reward multiple individuals for their long-running contributions to the game of hockey at school level.
A total of 15 individuals received recognition at the awards ceremony.
National Awards
Noreen Wonnacott (Western Province)
The former chairperson of Western Province Primary Schools Hockey and chairperson of Western Cape Schools Hockey, Wonnacott has also served on the SASHOC executive for over 15 years.
Colin Bartle (Eastern Province)
After serving as the Boys Hockey Manco chairperson for several years, and as a national team manager, Bartle has since taken the reins as the SASHOC treasurer.
Wayne Marsden (KwaZulu-Natal)
As the long-serving chairperson of the SASHOC Boys’ Hockey sub-committee, and chairperson of KZN Schools Hockey, Marsden has been a valuable executive member for 12 years.
Other award winners
Desmond Donald (Free State)
A former coach of the SA U-16 and U-18 boys teams, Donald has also served as chairperson of Free State Boys Hockey for several years.
Ian Hobson (Eastern Province)
A stalwart at St Andrews for over 20 years, Hobson has shared his vast knowledge of the game by nurturing younger coaches.
Keith Fairweather (KZN Inland)
A servant of hockey at Hilton, Fairweather has helped build KZN-Inland Boys Hockey into a force to be reckoned with in recent years.
Cathy Newman (Eastern Province)
After 40 years in education and coaching at her school, Newman retired at the end of 2021 following decades of faithful service to primary school hockey.
Charlene Loftus (Eastern Province)
The treasurer of EP Girls Hockey for over 22 years, Loftus has also served as selector and coach to various provincial teams.
Louise van der Merwe (Free State)
A stalwart of Free State Schools Hockey, Van der Merwe is recognised for her lengthy and ongoing contribution to the sport.
Retha van der Walt (Southern Gauteng)
A fighter who always has the interest of the players at heart, Van der Walt is one of the most influential characters in Southern Gauteng primary schools hockey.
Gretchen van Wyk (North West)
A loyal servant of SA Schools Hockey, Van Wyk is always reliable and continues to make a significant contribution to North West hockey.
Kokkie Sieling (Northern Gauteng)
A technical fundi who can be called upon at any time, Sieling was instrumental in streamlining SASHOC‘s event processes and guidelines, and she continues to make a valuable contribution to girls’ hockey in her province.
Zita Teixeira (Eastern Gauteng)
If you want anything done in the Eastern Gauteng region, it’s always a good idea to call Teixeira, who is at the heart of Eastern Gauteng schools hockey.
Kevin Urbach (KwaZulu-Natal)
The former chairperson of KZN Primary School Hockey, between 2008 -2019, Urbach also served on the SASHOC Primary School Manco and remains a long-standing servant to SA schools hockey.
Hylton Bremner (KwaZulu-Natal)
A popular and principled administrator, Bremner has served KZN primary school hockey since 1990 and has been the province’s treasurer since 2006.
