The South African women’s hockey national side is on a major mission – qualification for the 2012 London Olympics.
South Africa need to win their Olympic Qualifier Tournament (OQT) in New Delhi in India, from February 15-26, to make the cut as one of the 12 participating teams at the Olympics in July.
The Proteas have been shaping their game during a tri-series involving Ireland and Belgium.
The final match of the tournament, between Ireland and Belgium in Randburg, was abandoned just before half-time on Thursday night due to lightning, leaving the final results table reading South Africa first with eight points, Belgium second on five points and Ireland third on two points.
The Belgium and South Africa women’s hockey team squads’ focus now turns to the two-Test series, which takes place at Randburg stadium today and tomorrow.
Meanwhile, national coach Giles Bonnet said he is fully aware of the pressure of qualification, but was not too phased about it.
“It’s all about being well prepared and being able to fall back into your training and the structures that we have in place,” he said. “It is these and the confidence of being in form which will allow the players to focus on themselves and not the opposition in the upcoming OQT. We are limiting new information and only working through details and plans which are familiar to our players and which are geared around delivering the opportunity of winning key games at the OQT.”
Sharing his sentiment is world record scorer Pietie Coetzee, who has the remarkable record of having netted 231 goals in 234 matches for her country.
“International sport is loaded with pressure. It is the main ingredient that sets it apart from competing at any other level.” said Coetzee. “We cope by focusing on the small details and ensuring we put the work in to give us results.
“I think most of us actually thrive on pressure. For me personally it would be one of the main reasons why I do this.”
The Proteas recently secured a 2-1 Test series win over Spain, much to the delight of Bonnet.
“What was pleasing was to see the progress we have made since we played them in June at the Champions Challenge and how we were able to play against them in the 3rd and 4th Test,” Bonnet said.
“I am particularly pleased with the penalty corner defence in which we have made important progress. Our confidence is very high and this boosts our confidence going into the Delhi qualifier.
“Playing under pressure is still a focus area, as is our attacking penalty corner and the number of corners we are creating in matches,” he added.
“Our defensive structure has improved, while we will still be looking to increase our ball pressure and winning ball skills.”
The team to play in India boasts a wealth of experience with the outfit containing of 11 Olympic Games players from one or two of, the Sydney, Athens and Beijing events. The squad boasts 2,112 Test matches between the 18 players, an average of 117 each.
“Players with more than 50 Test matches have been left out, which indicates that competition for places was high. The selection of this team is not cast in stone and will be reviewed on a regular basis,” added Bonnet
Captain Marsha Marescia said that players who just missed the cut had been given constructive advice by the coaching staff on how to improve their performance.
“They know it’s not the end of the road and it’s motivated them to get back in,” she said.
Women's team selected for Olympic qualifier tournament: Mariette Rix, Kate Woods, Shelley Russell, Jade Mayne, Lauren Penny, Kathleen Taylor, Tarryn Bright (all WP); Marsha Marescia (capt), Lisa Deetlefs, Bernadette Coston, Pietie Coetzee (all S Gauteng); Sanani Mangisa, Dirkie Chamberlain, Nicolene Terblanche, Kim Hubach (all N Blues), Lesle-Ann George (FS); Lenise Marais (KZN); Sulette Damons (North West). Head coach: Giles Bonnet. Assistant coach: Fabian Gregory - Weekend Argus