#TuksHockey: Zondi is looking forward to the Premier Hockey League Challenge

Posted on November 14, 2017

A good challenge is the one thing that Inky Zondi relishes that is why he is looking forward to coaching the St Lucia Lakers in Premier Hockey League.

The UP-Tuks head coach had a dream season so far coaching the women's team to a historic win in the Varsity Tournament. The team followed up on their success by also winning the USSA Tournament. 

Natalie Esteves (UP-Tuks captain) has no hesitation in crediting Zondi for their success.
"I cannot explain what Inky has as a coach, but he can get people to believe in him and to play for him, his style he wants us to play. It is just the way he is with his charisma. He is also very innovative as a coach who is always looking to bring something new to the game. "

That ever quest to push the boundaries of the game is why Zondi is looking forward to being one of the coaches in the Premier League. It is a first for him.

"I think the 'League' is undoubtedly one of the most exciting concepts in South African hockey as it pits the best against the best. It is what the sport needs as it is a sure way to lift the standard of the game. 

"The fact that the top players are mixed up in different teams forces them out of their comfort zone. The Tuks women's players will be playing for five teams which means they will have to adapt to a new playing style and tactics.

"It is also challenging for us as coaches because we get to work with players we don't know. In my team, The St Lucia Lakers, there are only three current Tuks players and two former Tuks players. So I got to find a way of identifying each player's strengths as quickly as possible and then work out a strategy to maximise it in a game plan. It forces you as a coach to think outside of the box."

Last year the St Lucia Lakers finished fourth. Zondi prefers to refrain from making predictions, but at the same time, he makes it clear that as a coach he is going to see if they can't improve. 

"But what will be more important to me is to get each player to play to the best of their ability. If I get to do so, there is a good chance that we will end up being one of the top teams in the tournament."

The Premier Hockey League starts on 25 November, and the finals are on 12 December. All the games are played at the Randburg Astroturf.  A total of 24 Tuks players have been selected to play. 

The men are Tevin Kok, Nduduzo Lembethe, Sizwe Mthembu, Michael Forrest, Steven Paulo (Mapungubwe Mambas); Onke Letuka (Addo Elephants); Mark Chong (Golden Gate Gladiators); Matthew Davies (Maropeng Cavemen).

The women are Phumelela Mbande, Izelle Verster, Celia Evans, Natalie Esteves, Marizen Marais, Anél Luus, Marissa Poolman, Nicolene Terblanche (Blyde River Bunters); Ayanga Baleni, Megan Anderson, Chané Hill (St Lucia Lakers); Amy Etherington, Sulize de Klerk (Orange River Rafters); Claire Gibbings (Madikwe Rangers); Thando Chithi (Winelands Wings).

 

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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