STELLALANDER-VRYBURG: From 4 to 6 April 2025, Gqeberha proudly hosted its SA Grand Master’s Interprovincial Hockey Tournament, drawing over 300 players from across the country.
The action-packed weekend saw players from all provinces compete in various age divisions, including ladies 55+ and 60+, as well as men’s 55+ and 65+ categories. Matches were played across three top-class venues, Nelson Mandela University, Pearson High School (both astro turfs), and Victoria Park High School, giving spectators a full display of the passion and skill still present in the grand masters’ division. Games kicked off at 12h30 on Friday, 9h00 on Saturday, and 8h00 on Sunday, with supporters enjoying the opportunity to spend time outdoors, cheering on their provincial favourites.
One of the standout stories of the weekend was Kevin Smithers from Vryburg, who represented the SA Alliance team. The team put up a strong performance, winning against Western Province, drawing with KwaZulu-Natal, and narrowly losing to Eastern Province. The tournament was hailed as a success, not only for the level of hockey on display but also for the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Organisers and teams alike are hopeful this event becomes a staple in the hockey calendar going forward.
