The under-14 Junior International Polocrosse Tournament between South Africa and Zambia will be hosted at the Paddock Polocrosse Club, between the 4th and 6th of August.
The tournament promises to be an excellent display of some of the countries’ youngest polocrosse talents.
Sam Heynes, Junior President of Polocrosse South Africa said, “I am personally very excited about this tournament, especially since my daughter is playing for the South African team for the very first time.”
“It’s also the first time that we are hosting Zambia in South Africa. Last year Zambia did a fantastic job in hosting us. We hope that we can reciprocate their hospitality. And I really hope that our team does well,” Heynes added.
Each team consists of seven players. The South African team is:
Jake Shaw (Captain): This 13-year old plays for the Bishopstowe Polocrosse Club in Pietermaritzburg. He represented the U14 national team against Zambia in 2016. Apart from Polocrosse, he is passionate about hockey and rugby.
Jamin Schuch: This 13-year old Grade 7 pupil from Louis Trichardt, enjoys hockey, chess, computer games, and hunting. Being selected for the U14 South African Polocrosse team has been the highlight of his polocrosse journey. He plays for the Limpopo Crusaders.
Andrew Lynn: The 12-year old Grade 6 pupil, plays for the Nyati Polocrosse Club in Ladysmith. He loves motorbikes and working with animals. His two career highlights are winning an Open B-division handicap with his father and representing the South African side in this tournament.
Amy Cocker: Plays for the Shongweni Polocrosse Club. The 11-year old St Johns pupil is in Grade 6 and loves all school sport. Being selected for the U14 team to represent South Africa is her career highlight.
Angus Dick: The Grade 8 Maritzburg College pupil plays for Bishopstowe Polocrosse Club. He is passionate about horses, fishing, bicycles, and motorbikes. Representing South Africa in this tournament is his career highlight.
Lauren Heynes: At just 10-years old, she is the youngest player in the tournament. She plays for the Shongweni Polocrosse Club and is in Grade 5 at St. Johns DSG. Other sports she enjoys include hockey and squash. Her career highlights are winning the Junior Classic in 2016 and 2017.
Nikita Gilks: This Grade 7, Hillcrest Primary School pupil is 13-years old and loves horses and academics. Her career highlight is playing for South Africa in this tournament.
Team Zambia:
Andrew Mawson (Captain): Attends Baobab College and is in Grade 9.The 14-year olds hobbies include pigeon-shooting, hunting, athletics, and rugby. Career highlights include captaining the 2016 U14 Zambian team and being selected for this tournament to play against South Africa.
Louie Jones: 14-years old. Grade 9 pupil at Baobab College. His interests include football, rugby, and cycling. His career highlight was playing his first international test in 2016 and winning Best No.2.
Andrew Hall: This 14-year old, Baobab College pupils other favorite sports include fishing, athletics, rugby, hockey, motorbikes, clay-pigeon and dove-shooting. Playing for Zambia’s U14 team in 2016 and winning Best No.3 is a career highlight, as well as playing in this tournament.
Amorette Du Toit: The only female player on the Zambian team, this 12-year old also attends Baobab College. Amongst her hobbies are cross country, hockey, cycling, and fishing. Her career highlights include being mentored by Kelly Kraynaw, being selected to represent her country in this tournament, being the only female on the team and winning the trophy for the most improved junior.
Ricardo Taljaard: Also a Baobab College pupil, the 14-year old enjoys chess, surfing and playing the guitar. Winning his first B-division tournament and being selected for the national team are his career highlights.
Daniel Mawson: At 12-years old, this Baobab College pupil loves hunting, fishing, clay-pigeon shooting, cricket, rugby, and hockey. His career highlights are playing for the Zambian U14 team in 2016 and 2017. His horse, Dora, was honored with the “Fallen Hero” award earlier this year.
Oliver Smart: He is 12-years old and is in Grade 6 at Musikili Primary School. He loves all types of sports. His career highlight is winning the Choma B-division tournament with both his parents on his team.
Match times:
Friday, 4 August 2017, 10 am
Saturday, 5 August 2017, 11 am
Sunday, 6 August 2017, To be confirmed