Lees die spesiale uitgawe vir die Classic Clash tussen Hoërskool Durbanville en Hoërskool Stellenberg hier. Dis propvol spanfotos, onderhoude en al die aksie.

AWSUM het die geleentheid gehad om met Helen de Kock, Dogtershokkie Eerstespankaptein van Hoërskool Stellenberg te praat oor hul voorbereiding, sterkpunte en vooruitsigte vir die seisoen..

Wat is julle span se sterkpunte hierdie jaar? Ons span van 2025 beskik oor verskeie sterkpunte, maar ek glo ons grootste krag lê in ons eenheid as span. Elke meisie bring haar eie unieke stel sterkpunte, en saam kombineer ons hierdie talente om as ’n span te presteer. Wanneer een van ons sukkel of moeg raak, tree ons vir mekaar in en speel ons vir mekaar.

Wat beteken dit vir jou om die skool se eerste hokkiespan te lei? Dit was vir my ’n groot eer en voorreg om vanjaar die eerste hokkiespan te kon lei. Almal in die span het baie na aan my hart gekruip, en ek sal die vroegoggendsessies, warm somersdae se fiksheidsoefeninge en die hokkietoere vir altyd koester.

Het julle skool ’n groot hokkiekultuur, en hoe belangrik is sukses vir julle span, en om dit vol te hou? Ja, ons skool het beslis ’n sterk hokkiekultuur, met verskeie spanne en spelers wat elkeen oor unieke talente beskik. Ek is baie trots dat ek die afgelope vyf jaar deel van ons skool se hokkiegemeenskap kon wees. Sukses is belangrik vir ons span, maar ons glo ook dat as elkeen haar kant bring en ons vir mekaar speel, sal die sukses vanself kom.

Wat wil julle in 2025 as span bereik? Ons grootste doelwit vir vanjaar is om die seisoen af te sluit met ’n oorwinning teen Hoërskool Durbanville, sowel as ’n wen in ons liga. Dit sal vir my en die ander matrieks baie spesiaal wees om ons laaste jaar op so ’n hoogtepunt te kan afsluit

Watter wedstryd en/of toernooi is vir julle die spesiaalste, en hoekom? Vir my, asook vir die meisies wat al langer deel van die eerste span is, is Interskole die spesiaalste wedstryd. Dit is elke jaar ’n hoogtepunt om saam as span te speel en ons skool te verteenwoordig. Die opbou, voorbereiding en opwinding wat tot daardie dag lei, maak dit ongelooflik spesiaal. Dit is ’n groot eer, en ek hoop elke speler sal haar hart uitspeel en dit terdeë geniet.

Is daar ’n hokkiespeler of sportfiguur na wie jy opkyk, en hoe het sy/haar loopbaan jou benadering tot die spel beïnvloed? Vir my was dit nie ’n spesifieke sportfiguur nie, maar eerder die senior spelers saam met wie ek in my eerste jaar gespeel het. Ek, my onderkaptein Minke Lourens en Ilke van der Merwe het daardie jaar saam begin speel. Dit was ’n uitdagende tyd weens Covid, maar die seniors, met hulle eie uitdagings in hul matriekjaar, het ons met ope arms verwelkom en vir ons kosbare lewenslesse geleer. Ek sal daardie span, sowel as al die ander spanne en spelers, vir altyd onthou – elkeen het ’n spesiale plekkie in my hart.

Helen de Kock

Ons het ook met die afrigter van dié span, (Paulene de Bruin) gesels:

Wat kan die skool en ouers hierdie Interskole van julle span verwag? This match against Durbanville promises to be an action-packed, high-tempo hockey competition.  It is a key fixture in the WP Grand Challenge League, which has been fiercely contested by Durbanville, St Cyprian’s, and our Stellenberg girls. With Herschel already out of the running, every game now carries extra weight.

The spectators can anticipate a thrilling encounter. Both teams play at a relentless pace, so we can expect an end-to-end battle that could go either way. Durbanville has some incredibly talented players and a very strategic coach in Akhona Tonga, who brings a sharp tactical edge to their game. What you can expect from our girls is heart, grit, and a deep sense of pride. They play for their school and for each other, and they are not afraid to put their bodies on the line. We have some outstanding talent in our squad, and every player is committed to giving her all. This match is more than just a league fixture – it’s a showcase of passion, teamwork, and determination. We are very excited for the challenge.

Hoe lyk julle voorbereiding (fisies en geestelik) gedurende die week voor Interskole? Our team has had a strong build-up to this important Interschool fixture. We have tested ourselves against top opposition, including Millfield from the UK, Springfield, and Fairmont, which has helped sharpen our game and build momentum.

In the final week leading up to the match, the focus shifts to intensity and mental toughness.  We know this will be a high-pressure, high-tempo game, so our training is geared towards maintaining composure under pressure and executing with precision.  It’s about building resilience and ensuring the girls are mentally and physically ready to give their all.

Waar sou jy sê lê julle krag hierdie jaar? Our strength this year lies in our teamwork and our strong work ethic. The girls have a ‘no-quit’ attitude – they play with intensity from the first whistle to the last. What sets this team apart is their unity and their willingness to work for each other, no matter the challenge.

We have enormous respect for the Durbanville team. They are extremely well-coached and talented, and we know we will need to be sharp and focused to meet the challenge. But I have full confidence in our squad’s resilience and determination.

Wie het die grootste invloed op jou as afrigter gehad?  As a former national player, I’ve had the privilege of being coached by many outstanding individuals throughout my career.  While several have shaped my journey, a few stand out: Ros Howell, although she didn’t coach me directly, was the captain of the national team during my playing days. Her leadership and ability to inspire were truly motivational and left a lasting impression on me.

Gerard Hoeben from the Netherlands played a key role in my development as a coach. He guided me through my coaching levels, and I learned a great deal from his structured and analytical approach. My national coach, Kelly Fairweather, had a major influence on my tactical understanding of the game.  His strategic insights helped shape the way I view hockey today.

Watter boodskap dra jy aan jou span oor, net voordat hulle op die baan/veld hardloop? My coaching philosophy is clear: I believe in an attacking style of play.  I want my team to be bold, creative, and relentless going forward. We focus on intensity, quick transitions, and putting pressure on the opposition from the start.  It’s about playing with purpose and passion — and always looking to create opportunities.