Hockey team announced for qualifier tourney

Following national trials held in October last year in Windhoek and the selection of a preliminary squad, the Namibia Hockey Union (NHU) yesterday announced the final team that will travel to compete in the Africa Youth Olympic Games qualifying tournament. These ten talented players will be carrying the Namibian flag high at this prestigious event scheduled to be held in Zambia in March with a firm eye on a spot at the Youth Olympic Games in September in China. NHU President Robert Offner congratulated the final team and applauded the commitment of the entire squad following initial selection. “These teams have dedicated the last three months to rigorous training and incredible commitment has been shown on the part of players, coaches and management.” Offner appealed to the corporate and broader community to step up and support the players in their quest to qualify for the Youth Olympics. “Sending these teams to the qualifiers is going to cost in the vicinity of N$500 000 which is difficult to raise. This is a great sponsorship opportunity due to the exposure and global nature of this event and we appeal to the sponsors out there to step up and help these young, talented players to achieve their dreams.” The final teams: Boys: Dylan Alexander, Pieter Jacobs (captain), Jaco Lamberts, Pieter Smit, Reinhardt van Zyl, Armando van Wyk, Wayne Jeffery, Breda Reed, SP Grobbelaar and Stephan Calitz. Non-Travelling Reserves: Tyler Adkins, Daniello Mouton, Johan van Rooyen and Karl-Friedrich Holtz Coaches/Management: Anke Erdmannsky (Head Coach), Sedtric Makati (Assistant Coach) and Hannelie Brewis (Manager). Girls: Carla Brits, Dunell van Taak, Bernice Brink, Gillian Hermanus, Kaylee Schlechter, Madre Jurgens, Petro Stoffberg (captain), Nicola Heathcote, Phea Gerber, and Sunelle Ludwig. Non-Travelling reserves: Charleen Swiegers, Suzanne van Lill and Zalia Duvenhage. Coaches/Management: Shayne Cormack (Head Coach), Bianca Rehder (Assistant Coach) and Ronel Snyman (Manager). WINDHOEK-SPORT REPORTER GIRLS' TEAM: The young women who will represent Namibia at the Africa Youth Olympic Games later this year. Photo: Andrew Poolman