Despite picking up only one win in the opening round of matches of Varsity Hockey in Potchefstroom, Wits coach and former National Ladies star Pietie Coetzee-Turner believes her team are on track towards achieving their goal.
Out of their four games played so far, Wits have tasted defeat twice with losses against Maties and Kovsies. They also drew against NMMU before bagging a 3-0 win against UCT in their fourth game to leave them in fifth position on the standings.
“Our goal is actually not to reach the top four, it is actually to remain in fifth position because that is what we feel is realistically possible for us,” Coetzee-Turner told varsitysportssa.com.
“We need to continue picking up points against some extremely good teams coming up this weekend. If we can pick up a few points then we have a chance of finishing in that fifth or sixth position.”
Coetzee-Turner, who holds the World Record for most international goals by a female player, said her team have punched above their weight in the tournament so far and in doing so they have gained a level of confidence going into their final three games.
“I think my players performed really well. There are certain things that they were outstanding with especially in challenging the bigger teams, sticking to team structures and then of course getting a win against UCT and a draw against NMMU, which was very crucial for us.
“That win against UCT was extremely important because that obviously meant that we got valuable points on the board. They were a team we targeted and thought we needed to beat and we did so,” she said.
Coetzee-Turner admits that the transition from player to coach has not been an easy ride so far, but she is enjoying the experience and is determined to turn Wits into one of the best hockey teams in the country.
“I do find it challenging at times, but very rewarding most of the time. My long term goals for Wits is to become one of the top two universities in hockey in South Africa.
“I think my team is very young, I think they are enthusiastic and I think they are eager to do well and to develop as hockey players,” she added.
