adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
FALCON College pupil Newton Mashanyire is the only player from the Southern Region to make the cut in the Under-17 final squad for the Youth Olympic Hockey Qualifiers. The boys’ team was announced yesterday. Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) named the final teams of 10 for both boys and girls that will be travelling to Zambia in March.
Despite having Khumalo Hockey Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility, Bulawayo juniors appear to have failed to impress national selectors.
Whereas in the past Bulawayo and Harare dominated the sport, that appears to have changed over the years with Tongaat Hullet-sponsored clubs dominating.
Several Bulawayo and Matabeleland schools are active in the sport that groomed the likes of Mandla de Klerk, Shayne Cleminson and Ethan Dube.
Harare and Marondera dominated the selection with eight players with only one coming from Mazowe.
The teams had their final training session at Chisipite High School in Harare on Sunday where the final 10 was selected.
Haz vice-president Humphrey Chigwedere confirmed that they had finalised the team of players to do duty in Zambia.
“We had a final practice session on Sunday before we broke for schools opening. The coaches also took the opportunity to select the final 10 players in each that would be travelling,” said Chigwedere. He said they will have at least three weekend squad training sessions to accommodate players that are based outside Harare before travelling to Zambia in March.
Final squads
Boys: Tafara Simon, Bryn Lowe (Peter House), Forbes Motsi (Prince Edward), Newton Mashanyare (Falcon College), Peter Trusthum (Hellenic), Happious Njitimani (S.E.C), Takunda Chipuma (Churchhill), Stephano Martin Bellini (St Johns), Phillip Machaya (Hippo Valley), and Kieth Bruce (Peter House).
Girls: Kudzi Mushongahande, Steph Campbell, Aimee Nativel, Julie Precious, Chelsea Dollar, Carla Van Oudtshoorn, Zahra Finnigan, Grace Mazarura, Tyla Walter and Estelle Stambolie
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