Festive times with hockey at Oakhill

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KNYSNA NEWS - Oakhill School's annual co-ed hockey festival series is once again underway, kicking off with the U19 edition last weekend.

The first of three, the Oakhill U19 Co-ed Hockey Festival was held from Thursday to Saturday, 13 to 15 April.

The hockey festivals are held annually with schools from up and down the Western and Eastern Cape making the trek to Knysna to enjoy hockey in three age groups - U19, U13 and U16 - and the festivals are held in that order over three weeks every April.

There are more than 600 children taking part in total, with 17 schools and 44 different teams flying their flags high at the Oakhill Sports Campus on Welbedacht Lane.

As they are considered festivals, and not tournaments, there are no official winners and the games are always played in a great spirit, friendly yet competitive. The festivals have been held for more than a decade now, and continue to grow year on year.

PHOTO GALLERY: Annual co-ed hockey festival at Oakhill School

Oakhill's first girls team celebrates a last-minute equaliser in their match against Hoërskool Framesby.

"We are thrilled to host the Co-Ed Hockey Festivals again this year and welcome you all to this event where teams can meet, compete and enjoy our beautiful Oakhill Sports Campus (OSC). Teams have come from around the country and we hope that friendships will sprout from the rivalry and interactions on and off the field," said head of Oakhill College, Sharon Brown.

"This event has grown in popularity since its inception. We are delighted to host returning schools as well as those who are here for the first time and hope that you do enjoy the magic of the OSC and Knysna."

Oakhill head of Prep, James Cross, shared similar sentiments. "We are delighted to once again be able to host this festival as we welcome teams along with many familiar faces and friends to this event. Thank you, most sincerely, for once again being part of this unique occasion," he said.

"One of the definitions of the word 'festival' is 'celebration' and it is in this spirit that we have tried to establish a tradition of healthy competition and friendly interaction with one another. It is therefore our goal, this weekend, that we will celebrate good quality hockey, effective teamwork, wonderful sportsmanship and the finest qualities of the game of hockey."

Next on the roster is the U13 edition this weekend, 20 to 22 April, and finally the U16 festival next weekend from 27 to 30 April.

A player from Outeniqua High School (right) slips and goes flying while in action against Glenwood House. Photos: Blake Linder