The Maties men’s hockey team entered the University Sports South Africa (USSA) hockey tournament at the top of the Western Province log and as returning champions. This was according to Tevin Peterson, captain of the Maties side.
The tournament takes place from 3 to 7 July according to the official USSA website.
The Maties men secured a six-point advantage over their competitors in the Grand Challenge League after their face-off with the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC) hockey team on 28 May. This was according to the Western Province Hockey Union website.
At the time of publication, Maties was still ranked first in the league after 11 games, said Peterson.
“The team is selected from the Maties high performance squad that was selected at the beginning of February. After the first half of the season, and a training camp, the University Sport South Africa [hockey] squad is selected,” said Tevin Peterson, captain of the Maties men’s hockey team. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
The significance of USSA
USSA is the only student competition in South Africa for universities, said John Wright, USSA Hockey executive member. There are 22 institutions invited to participate in the tournament, stated Wright.
The hockey section is divided into subsections A,B and C, explained Wright. Teams are based on “strength versus strength competition”, explained Wright.
The ranking offered the men “confidence going into USSA”, said Peterson. “But it doesn’t affect the job we need to do,” he stated.
Being ranked first in the Western Province league and returning to the University Sports South Africa Hockey tournament as champions places a lot of pressure on the Maties men’s hockey team, said Tevin Peterson, captain of the Maties men’s hockey team. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
“Winning the B and C sections will mean promotion to a higher section, whilst winning the A-section in essence means you are the top hockey university in the country,” said Wright.
Entering the tournament as returning champions “comes with a lot of pressure, as everyone wants to beat you”, said Peterson.
“We have to be accountable to [internal] high standards,” stated Bevan Bennett, head coach of the men’s hockey team.
There are eight teams competing in the men’s A section at the University Sports South Africa Hockey tournament, said Tevin Peterson, captain of the Maties men’s hockey team. PHOTO: Amy Cloete
Phenomenal talent
The team feels excited for the competition, said Peterson.
Their pre-season training began on 1 August 2022, according to Bennett.
“We have added some phenomenal talent this year and it freshens us up and also keeps us variable,” said Bennett.
“[I feel] excited, nervous, confident and scared all at once. The truth is, I don’t know what is going to happen and I’m comfortable with that,” stated Bennett.