Youngsters gear up for tour to Harare
Hockey
The selected boys and girls of the U16 and U18 teams were sent off this week.
The Namibian Under-16 and Under-18 boys and girls hockey teams are gearing up for an exciting series of international friendlies against Zimbabwe. This annual event, taking place from 8-11 August in Harare, is part of a longstanding hockey development initiative and partnership agreement between the two nations since 2017.
The primary aim of the series is to provide the players with invaluable international exposure, allowing competition at a higher level and developing necessary skills for future advancement to the national squad. This competition is crucial for the growth and future success of these athletes, offering them a platform to hone their talents and gain competitive experience.
The event also marks a significant step in the rising trajectory of Namibian hockey. The country's senior men's and women's teams recently qualified for the 2024 Indoor Hockey World Cup again, underscoring the importance of nurturing talent at the junior level.
A send-off ceremony for the teams was held at the Windhoek High School astro turf on Monday night. Chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission, Freddy Mwiya, addressed the young athletes, saying: “You guys are going to experience what is called international participation.
“Playing away from home comes with a lot of pressure, so your character will be tested, but we wish you all the best of luck.”
Jo-Ann Manuel, deputy director at the ministry of sport, youth and national service, expressed her optimism about the future of Namibian hockey. “Hockey is doing extremely well. The next Olympics is in Los Angeles, and I hope hockey can take us there. We saw what St. Lucia did with the women’s 100m finals. With the way our hockey is growing and doing well, I trust a lot is to come from that.”
The selected teams
U18 Boys: Herco Oosthuizen, Rylan Bombosch (goalkeepers), Nelson Nseu, Mathew Lassen, Xander van Rooyen, Sampie Venter, Juan Swanepoel, Hilton Lima (captain), Kieron Christ, Keon Azadeh, Connor McNamara, Ludwig van Rooyen, Markus Botes, Zach Philander, Abraham Graham, Liam Bruys, Jörn Erdmannsky, Roelof McCarthy.
U18 Girls: Jasmine Cartwright, Anri Jacobs (goalkeepers), Tayla du Plessis, Elri Jacobs, Marlene Coetzee, Jessica Gresse, Merné Wiese, Ané Boshoff, Zoe Nott (captain), Alice Rowles, Abigail Rowles, Tamara Grogli, Mbiripauani Kaakunga, Juané Brand, Kyla Gille, Kayla Swart, Nicola Fourie, Danica Retief.
U16 Boys: Benjamin Prinsloo, Paulo Jansen (goalkeepers), Daniel de Wet, Dominic Egner, Daan Janse van Rensburg, Alex Badenhorst, Willem Venter, Mark Wallace, Derick Nell, Jadon McNally, Matt-Reece Izaaks, Shayan Azadeh (captain), Pieter Page, Max Fourie, Rourke McNamara, Ferchal Shikongo, Keegan Murphy, Enzo Martins.
U16 Girls: Desiree Stafford, Yasmine Milho (goalkeepers), Marzel Boshoff, Maryke Kruger (captain), Bianka Coetzee, Janri Swart, Catherine Mvula, Sienna Richards, Tilly Parker, Tuli Nott, Liame Nell, Oyo Hinda, Kaylee Oehley, Louise McCarthy, Ema Brink, Leanne Stey, Anelle Schutz, Aymair van der Merwe.