The annual Fairtree Super 12 Hockey Tournament has hit off in Bloemfontein on Thursday (8/8). Many schools across South Africa have joined in to win the trophy which has remained in the Free State for the past four years.

“Two Bloemfontein schools, Oranje Secondary School (six titles) and Eunice High School (one title), have dominated the tournament, lifting the trophy seven out of the eight times. Menlo Park High School from Pretoria is the only school from outside Bloemfontein to have won the tournament back in 2018,” said Oranje Meisieskool Communications and Marketing Manager, Ruan Bruwer.

The tournament, exclusive to the top 12 u/18 female hockey teams, will run from Thursday (8/8) until Saturday (10/8) at the Oranje astroturf.

Teams are coming from Durban, Paarl, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Kloof, and Hilton.

“On three occasions, a team has gone through the tournament without a single loss or draw. This was achieved by Oranje in 2015 and 2016, and Eunice in 2023.”

Upon arrival yesterday, the teams were greeted with a prepared picnic to get their spirits up and ready for the upcoming schedule, which can be found on the Fairtree Facebook Page.

“Thank you very much to every hockey lover! The Super 12 Hockey Tournament creates the opportunity for top hockey teams to compete against each other. These are hard matches in which girls' skills and endurance are tested. 

“It also provides an opportunity at the end of the season to prove how strong hockey really is in South Africa,” said Oranje Secondary School principal, Anne-Marie Klink.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony cg