ZIMBABWE hockey ladies’ team coach Patricia Davies is desperate to make full use of the limited time they have to prepare for the Women’s Hockey African Cup of Nations set for Accra, Ghana next year.
The team recently went into camp with local players to begin preparations for the tournament, scheduled for January 17 to 23, where over 20 countries are expected to participate.
And Davies, who is a former national hockey player and was part of the team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, expressed satisfaction with her squad, which she tips to do well in Accra.
“It has been a difficult season for all sporting disciplines to prepare for the events due to the pandemic restrictions, which made us isolate and fail to constantly train as a team,” Davies told the Daily News.
“We tried to adjust and do our best as a team to utilise the time we had to prepare from the tournament and we continue to work hard as a team. We know we are only left with eight weeks to train and we hope to effectively utilise the time.
“We can’t keep complaining of limited time, but we will do our best to represent our country and I’m very confident with my team that we will put a better performance at the event.”
Team manager Tracy du Plooy concurred with Davies and expects the team to excel despite some of the challenges they faced as a result of Covid-19.
“We are very proud of all the ladies who have made the team. They have worked tirelessly for the past two years and have put their heart and souls into getting ready for this event,” Plooy said.
“It has not been easy for them as a team as well as individuals with the time they have given up to ensure they are at their best. With the pandemic, this was made even harder.
“The ladies have done an absolutely amazing job to prepare themselves for this tournament. We expect our team to do their very best and they deserve to do.”
Squad: Georgia Allardice, Amy-Lee Levey, Mary Campbell (C ), Belinda Marais, Jordyn Clipstone, Jenna Mathieson (GK), Tinodiwanashe Elijah, Farirai Nengare, Nicolle Grant, Jenna Palmer, Simone Herbst, Lillian Pope, Natasha Hess, Alexei Terblanche, Iman Johnson, Natalie Terblanche, Kelly -Ann Kaulback, Michelle Williams.
by Cloud Fusire
SPORTS WRITER