NWU-Pukke will be relying on home comforts when they host the opening round of Varsity Hockey from May 1-4 as they look to go one better this time around.
The 2013 edition of the tournament saw Pukke finishing runners-up to Maties after losing a tense final 1-0 and will need to improve on that showing without the services of talismanic striker Sulette Damons – who exceeds the age limit. Despite losing a National team member, they will look to the likes of another National team member, Celia Evans to guide them through the tournament.
“There is a massive buzz going around Potchefstroom ahead of the Varsity Hockey event. We have been receiving messages and phone calls from random people saying that they are looking forward to coming down to the astro to watch the games.
“Obviously we will be without Sulette [Damons] this year but she is not completely lost to us as she will be taking up an assistant coach position. So, fortunately for us, we will still be able to rely on her to share her experience and knowledge of the game onto the squad,” Evans told varsitysportssa.com.
Pukke might be playing the opening round in front of their home supporters but Evans knows they will have their hands full with some really tough games.
“We play Kovsies in our first game and they finished third in 2013. Then we go up against UJ and finish the weekend off against Maties. It is definitely going to be a tough weekend for us but we know that we need to play as a team to be successful.
“Besides myself, Stephanie Baxter and Anelle van Deventer has international experience but we, at Pukke, are very team orientated and prefer playing for the each other, rather than relying on individuals to carry the team. It is a massive honour and privilege for me to play for Pukke,” she added.
Having been part of the 2013 edition of the competition, this edition will be her last Varsity Hockey event but hopes this event will grow exponentially in the near future.
“I absolutely love Varsity Hockey. It is exactly what hockey needs and is the most exciting tournament I have played in. I can’t wait to see it grow and become as big as the major sporting codes in the country.
“It is very rare that hockey is broadcast on TV and for every player in the tournament, I know it is a dream come true to be able to showcase their talents,” she stated.
