South African Women’s Hockey squads have been selected

Following the completion of the SA Hockey IPT the South African Women’s Hockey squads have been selected. The selectors have selected two squads. Namely the Performance Squad and a further emerging squad. Both squads will be called on for national duty and

For the SA Women’s Hockey team, the immediate challenge is the FIH Nations Cup before eyes will turn to test matches and the All-African Games as the team looks to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Anelle van Deventer makes her return to the national picture along with Celia Seerane, while FIH Goalkeeper of the year nominee Phumelela Mbande is included under her new surname after her recent wedding!

A number of uncapped players are included across the two squads with the exciting Ntsopa Mokoena and Taheera Augousti joining a number of players in getting closer to realizing the dream of representing their nation at Senior Womens Hockey.

Head coach Giles Bonnet shared his excitement on working with the squad going forward:

“I am very satisfied with the selection, it’s the first time we have been able to include an add on group to the squad. It’s important to continue to give emerging players opportunities to test themselves at a higher level and see what is required at the next level. Broadening our selection base and continuing to select for the future is an important strategy that SA hockey has. We are continually looking for talent that have unique skills which through the professional environment we are putting in place can accelerate their development. We are also conscious that players don’t always develop at the same pace and as a result we don’t wish to release players who have not performed as we had hoped but rather to provide a stable environment to provide a few opportunities to reach the next level. We are attempting to change our way of working and this will mean a greater commitment from players to the program which not everyone is able to make, because of the number of matches we will play in the upcoming 24 months, experience is less of a criterion than commitment, mentality and potential”

SA Performance Squad

SA Emerging Squad