JOHANNESBURG: Running between fields to attend to both the South African men’s and women’s teams was not easy, but Sheldon Rostron managed to pull it off bagging double titles at the African Hockey Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Rostron accomplished a rare feat leading the sides to African titles in the land of the Pharaohs reaffirming the country’s dominance on the continent.
The men didn't just claim their eighth consecutive continental title but also secured their place in next year’s World Cup in India.
Rostron has been the head coach of the women’s team since Giles Bonnet resigned in 2014 and in August took up the reins for the men’s side on an interim basis.
“I am extremely happy about the performances of both teams and quite happy that we helped the men’s team qualify for the World Cup which I think was the most important point,” Rostron said.
“I am very proud of what my staff, myself and the two teams have achieved.”
The women’s team have already earned their place for the 2018 World Cup tournament in London after finishing fifth at the World Hockey League Semi-Finals that was hosted in South Africa.
They turned in a dominant performance in Egypt where they scored a total of 28 goals while they managed to keep a clean sheet against all opposition.
They claimed a 4-0 victory over Ghana in the final to claim their seventh-consecutive African title
Coaches play such an important role in success, thanks to Sheldon Rostron and his support staff for doing the double in Egypt today🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/TYns1R6Tdg
— SA Hockey (@SA_Hockey) October 29, 2017
A dream realised @SA_Hockey_Men @SA_Hockey @Brand_SA @PlayYourPartSA pic.twitter.com/5ruQWTXL1D
— Marissa Langeni (@marissalangeni) October 30, 2017