Aitken Trophy Hockey Champions 2023
Tonight, I realised just how much sport runs through my veins. How quickly a year has flown by after I wrote about how heartbroken our boys were in 2022 when we lost in the 2022 Aitken final. Fortunately, 2023, proved to be our year, the achievement of which took on a great deal more meaning given defeat last year. On a day when Mother’s supported their hardworking sons, they were gifted a wonderful present after weeks, months, and years of hard work culminating in this occasion.
Arguably one of the biggest crowds this year descended on the Supergroup St Stithians Hockey Astros for one Aitken Final with the spectacle living up to all expectations and then some. The atmosphere was electric with more than enough positive and negative charge to bring in a storm, fortunately for all those who witnessed the game, the weather stayed away with the action on the pitch proving to be epic.
eppe started the game like thunder, outgunning and flanking our Saints Knights and saw them go into an early and well-deserved 2 - 0 lead. Slowly, the Saints team started to find their feet and play with more confidence as we began to keep possession and ask more questions. We eventually asked a question that Jeppe could not answer just before half time, as we clawed one back and started to believe. The second half got underway with Saints starting to do a great deal more playing and pressing forward more regularly. One sensed the flow of the game starting to swing towards Saints. As we started to pile on more pressure we levelled matters with a clinical short corner, with all Saints player's body language and energy levels now reaching optimum levels, and we all knew that in that very moment of us equalising, greatness lies in those who believe, especially where pressure and opportunity meet.
Saints had two very experienced parents, Phil Wallis, and Warren Tanner-Ellis, consistently offering support, reminders, and advice to our boys as both they and many others wore their hearts on their sleeves whilst watching their sons enter into and overcome multiple mini battles of adversity in the final. The last chukka was riveting with play moving from end to end in mere seconds as both teams had clear-cut chances to win the game. Having been a goalkeeper many moons ago, I know how lonely it can be. I also know what impact you can have on a game and how you can lift your team when the stars align, and things go your way. Whilst outfield players have many opportunities to shine and make up for mistakes, goalkeepers are simply not afforded the same luxury. Our Saints goalkeeper, Ben Sher, put in match-winning saves in the final chukka that would have made some of the best keepers in the world take notice.
It all happened as the generator broke down in the final chukka, and one wondered where all the electricity (especially the positive charge) had gone. Well, it was all transferred to the Saints' 1st Hockey Knights and our goalkeeper in particular. We got into the dreaded penalty shootout, with Ben Sher simply putting in an exceptional performance by being an immovable rock in goals. His presence, ability, and skill lifted the Saints penalty takers to be clinical as we once again fought from being down 0 - 1 in the penalty shootout to win the Aitken Hockey Tournament for the first time in 48 Years. Going one better made the victory that much sweeter, with the Jeppe players and supporters being gracious in defeat like the classy school they are.
What a win, after having to come back twice (0-2 during normal play and 0-1 down during penalties) to win a Trophy that is the most prestigious for all in Gauteng School Boy Hockey, especially St Stithians. It means so much to all in not only the Hockey space but the St Stithians Community.
Sunday evening, I was proud to be a part of the Hockey fraternity, I was proud to be a St Stithians College staff member, I was proud to have our Saints parents so firmly behind our team and school, I was proud of our coaches, Ricky West and Miguel da Graca, and our amazing team manager Shirley Von Hoesslin (arranging roses for the boys to give their Moms on Mother’s Day was class), however, I was the proudest of our Saints Hockey Knights, having to overcome massive adversity twice, all those internal battles, and when things were not going their way, each boy within the team deciding to fight, stay in the game, lift themselves and each other to put in a performance that will be remembered for many years. As much as I am proud of the win, the tough emotional and mental files that needed to be used to enable the physical made all within St Stithians super proud, and to be honest a few tears were shed, mine included. What an awesome day to experience and one that will remain with me for many years.
Thank you, Jeppe High School for Boys, for bringing out the best in our Saints boys. Everything I have written and that our boys experienced, would not have been possible without quality opposition. The behaviour of players during and after the game was special, with many realising at the end, that Sport is so much more than just Sport.
This team has made history for two consecutive years, firstly making the final last year for the first time in 47 years in 2022 and then winning the title for the first time in 48 years in 2023 thereby securing the trophy and gold medal. Success lies in doing the little things consistently well, and for this, I would like to honour our Saints Hockey parents, who as a cohort have gone above and beyond, whether it be the Saints SportsFest, overseas tour, fundraising, and consistent support, you all deserve Gold medals. I look at our parents and see role models for when my kids get older. Thank you and congratulations to each person who continued in any way towards this momentous achievement. The day belonged to St Stithians and will be a memory to forever be treasured.
It would be remiss of me, not to leave you with this poem written by one of our Boys’ College teachers, Mr Shaun Fitzmaurice:
In the quiet of the still,
Gathered with unwavering will,
Battles of strength were waged,
On the fields of green was it staged,
Our Knights readied for the start,
None did stand apart,
All as one they did rise to meet,
This challenge they did greet,
Bravely did they fight,
Never once lost sight,
Of the deal that was made,
That belief would not fade,
Twas the hour they came not undone,
And for One and All the day was won.
#HappyFulfilment #SaintsSpirit #MakingAWorldOfDifference #SaintsExcellence #InspiringExcellence #PassionDriven #StrongerOneAndAll
