SA women’s hockey team under hard training to face Argentina
The South African Women’s hockey team began their training camp at the University of Free State Hockey Centre in Bloemfontein, Sunday ahead of the five-Test series against World Champions Las Leonas (the Lionesses) of Argentina
beginning at the same venue next Sunday.
“The team will be finalised after the completion of four internal matches during the week,” said Chief Coach, Giles Bonnet, the former SA Captain and men’s Coach
'The Argentineans have a fantastic squad of players who will test our girls to the utmost and the challenge they present is what the team is looking for as preparations get into full swing for the Champions Challenge in Ireland
in June and then of course the London 2012 Olympic Games,' said SA Head Coach, Giles Bonnet on Sunday.
During this week-long training camp, Bonnet has accompanied a number of top overseas and South African based coaches to balance his work. This includes fitness specialist, Dr Derek Coetzee, a key member of Jake White's successful
2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks in France.
“Argentina are the premier team in the world and play a very attacking style of hockey,” said the Amsterdam-based Bonnet. “I expect they will be looking to continue this style and maintain the same intensity and speed they demonstrated
so successfully in winning the World Cup three months ago.
“They have one of the best penalty corner drag flickers in world hockey in Noel Barrionuevo and this is partly the reason for their success.”
The South African women’s team having eight World Cup gold medalists, including world-class players of their own in Kaspersky Southern Gauteng superstar Pietie Coetzee, who has scored an unrivalled 201 Test match goals in 203 internationals,
is fully prepared to beat world champions the Lionesses of Argentina.
Another test veteran, and central midfielder, Captain Marsha Marescia is also a provincial team mate of Coetzee's and was selected for the World All Stars team in 2008.
The SA training camp also includes over 40 South African players together with a group in their late teens that are likely to join the 2013 Junior World Cup.
Besides, leading coaches from Europe and South America are also included in this training camp. They are specified for goalkeeping and drag flicking training in the camp.
Now the world 12th ranked team, SA has shown great progress under Bonnet’s tactical guidance and his latest technical skills. Their performance at the Commonwealth Games is evidence of their improvement where the best
teams in the world could not frighten them.
The series against Argentina will take place on December 12th, 13th, 15th, `16th and 17th.
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