What was good enough last year, is certainly not going to be good enough for the second time around that is why Inky Zondi changed the way the Tuks women’s hockey team is going to play during next week’s USSA Tournament in Bloemfontein.
Zondi’s decision should be no surprise. He had proven himself as an innovative coach who is continually looking for ways to ensure that his players had an edge when they took to the Astroturf. It led to the women’s team achieving a unique double last year winning the Varsity and USSA titles.
Seven of last year’s all-conquering team is still playing, but there are also eight newcomers. Megan Anderson will be captaining the side.
“We don’t want to keep on playing the same year in and year out. The challenge is to adjust the tactics to suit the strength of my players. It is all good and well for me to see the game in a certain way but I am not on the field playing. In other words, I need to keep on evolving as a coach.
“For example, we focussed a lot on how we should go about setting up our attacks as well as ensuring we get to be more consistent. Last year consistency in the circle was easy because we had experienced players. Now the whole frontline barring one is newcomers. Our play from penalty corners is something else we focussed on. In a tight game, no team can afford to squander goal scoring opportunities.”
Tuks will be playing Maties, Wits and Varsity College during the pool games. According to Zondi, it is going to be tough. Tuks has beaten Wits earlier this season.
“As far as I am concerned that result means nothing. Wits will be a much-improved team. They will come out at us hard again as they don’t know the meaning of giving up. They always give a good account of themselves up to the very last minute.
“Maties has got something to prove as they had not been at their best during the past two USSA Tournaments. It is a given that whenever Tuks faceoff to Maties, it does matter in what sport, it is guaranteed to be a tight encounter. What always makes any Maties hockey team good is their ability to play at such a high intensity and how they can move the ball around on the attack. As a team, they are always looking for ways to put the opposition under pressure.”
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