Trials could lead all the way to U21 World Cup

Field hockey
The challenge is laid out before both the Namibian U21 men's and women's sides.
Andrew Poolman
  • 2 Months Ago 11 September 2024
A set of national trials this coming weekend will lay the foundation for a historic challenge to both the Namibian under-21 men’s and women’s hockey teams for selection to the African U21 championship, as well as a favourable indicators towards qualifying for the U21 World Cup for the first time.

The Namibia Hockey Union presents its national trials in field hockey this age group on Friday and Saturday at Windhoek High School’s Davin Trustco astro.

The deadline for registration of interested players (born from 2003 to 2008) have passed, although applications for late registrations can be directed to Yolande Fourie of the NHU.

Namibia will host the fast approaching African U21 championships for both men and women from 30 November to 8 December, to be played at the same WHS Davin Trustco astro.

“With the talent we have seen during this season of the Standard Bank NSSU schools leagues, leading up to last weekend’s spectacular finals, as well as in recent seasons, there is no reason to doubt the potential of the national youth teams we could put together,” says renowned coach Johann Weyhe.

“Three African qualifiers each will progress to the FIH U21 World Cup next year (dates and venue to be confirmed).

“Namibia therefore has an excellent opportunity to make history with its first-ever qualification for both its teams.

“The Namibia senior men and women recently won the Southern Africa qualifier for the field hockey Africa Cup – with Jean-Paul Britz, Giovanni Handura, Josh van der Merwe and goalkeeper Richter van Rooyen who were all part of the men’s squad, for instance.”

On Friday, the trials for women will commence at WHS (18:30-21:00). Saturday’s trials program is laid out for men (08:00 to 10:30), women (10:30-13:00) and men again (14:00-16:00).

The coaching teams for the national U21 field hockey teams are:

Men: Johann Weyhe (head coach) and Randy Slabbert; fitness coach Herman Steytler; manager Janine van der Merwe.

Women: Sedtric Makati (head coach), Christo du Raan and Rohan Slabbert; managers Charlene du Raan and Wynand Dreyer.

Renier van Rooyen and Maryke Short will act as video analysists for both teams.