Boishaaier 2018

Hockey The first mention of hockey was in 1922.

The first mention of the sport “hockey” being played at Paarl Boys’ High School was in 1922 when it was stated by the headmaster at the time, Mr Du Pré le Roux, that “…during the winter season some elected to forsake the manly game of Rugby and threw in their lot with the local flappers in a feeble imitation of the game of Hockey …”! By 1933, however, hockey was “well on its way to being called a national sport” and PBHS could put two teams with a few reserves in the field. The Cross Cup was an internal competition between boarders and day schol- ars. The first noted Interschools competition, held in 1932, was known as the Keyter Cup (named after the donation of a trophy from Mr Keyter, a businessman in Paarl). By 1946 however the interest in hockey at school became less until in 1946 it was cancelled as a school sport only to be revived 16 years later, in 1962, by Mr P Griesel. It was noted by the headmaster that year that “… hockey has had an auspicious revival at our school”. Then 56 years later Paarl Boys’ hockey has another “auspicious revival” with the completion of Boys’ High’s own astro turf, coinciding with the 150th anniversary celebrations. The impressive pitch will be used for both high-intensity hockey games as well as a playground surface for the younger boys. By setting this precedent, Paarl Boys’ Hockey is breaking In 1978 Paarl Boys’ High celebrated their first victory over Gimnasium in the annual derby since hockey returned as a school sport and the follow- ing year, in 1979, teams were able to play hockey on the fields in front of the school. By the start of the 21st century the game of hockey in schools had moved onto the artificial surface known as “astroturf”. The first In- terschools’ game played on astroturf was at Gimnasium in 2005 with the victory going to Gimnasium 3 – 1. Roll on to Interschools 2018 ... despite the power outages on the Tuesday evening and the need to play on an alternative venue for some teams, In- terschools 2018 will be remembered as the year that Boys’ High hockey

new ground and developing hockey at grassroots level. Generally, the new facilities will make the school much more competitive in the hockey fra- ternity with the addition of being able to host tournaments and clinics for both development and high performance. Paarl Boys’ High has been blessed to have become a talented “hockey family” over the years. • Elmar Liebenberg, attended Boys’ High and was the first South African Schools’ player from Paarl Boys’ High 1989. This was made even more of an achievement as Elmar was only in Standard 8 (Grade 10) that year! He made the team again in Standard 9 and, in his Matric year, as the captain of the South African Schools’ team. His brother Riaan Lieben- berg played WP schools in his Standard 9 year and, as Elmar says, “was probably a better hockey player than me!” • Paarl Boys’ was lucky enough to boast another South African Schools’ player when Reece Arendse was selected to the South African U18B team in 2014. Since then he has gone on to be selected for the South African U21 squad as well as play for the Maties first team! • In 2016 Ethan Appies, the captain of the first team was selected to the South African U17 side.

showed guts – an intense first team game that was hard fought and com- pletely nail-biting. The boys showed a sense of unity and resolve and played for the badge on their chest. And just like you do when you play with talent AND heart you are inevitably victorious! Well done to Mr Tes- selaar and his team for a wonderful day that made everyone incredibly proud to be associated with Paarl Boys’ High Hockey.

BOISHAAIER 2018 / Hokkie / Hockey

BHS 1st Hockey Team (1945)

136

BOISHAAI 150 YEARS