The Hoërskool Piet Retief U16A Hockey Boys have made school history after finishing third at the prestigious Noordvaal tournament in Sasolburg.
The boys became the first boys’ hockey team in the school’s history to qualify for the tournament, which was held from 29 July to 1 August 2026.
Their place at Noordvaal, however, required one more important step. Teams competing at the tournament were required to have an additional playing kit. School parent representative Simoney Coetzee approached Ntando Mhlongo, Director of Maybach Oil & Gas (Pty) Ltd, on 18 June to request sponsorship towards the kit.
Maybach Oil & Gas decided to support the team by sponsoring the additional playing kit, giving the young players the opportunity to meet the tournament requirements and take their place on the Noordvaal stage.
For Mhlongo, the decision to support the team was about helping young people get an opportunity to develop through sport.
“We decided to support the team because we believe in giving young people opportunities to grow, develop their talents and take part in activities that bring them together. Sport teaches discipline, teamwork and commitment, and we were proud to play a small part in helping these young players represent their school at Noordvaal.”
The team, made up of players who are only 15 years old and compete in the U16 league, went on to finish third after beating Hoërskool Rustenburg in their final match for third and fourth place.
The result is a significant achievement for the school. The team is now the highest-ranked hockey team in the history of Hoërskool Piet Retief, boys or girls.
For Coetzee, the achievement is about more than the final result. She describes the boys as coming from different backgrounds but becoming one team and one family through their love of hockey and commitment to one another.
The bronze medal brings a memorable end to a season in which the team achieved something no boys’ hockey team from the school had done before.
With their first Noordvaal appearance ending in a bronze medal, the U16A boys have set a new standard for hockey at Hoërskool Piet Retief and created a moment that will be remembered in the school’s sporting history.
Maybach Oil & Gas’ support helped ensure the team could take up its place at the tournament. The boys then took that opportunity and turned it into a historic result.
