Two players from the Steinhoff Maties Hockey club were part of the team that won the first ever South African Premier Hockey League (PHL) tournament this past weekend.

James Drummond and Jacques Bleeker played for the Maropeng Cavemen who beat the Addo Elephants 2-0 in the final. 

Other Maties who played in the PHL were Keenan Horne and Reece Arendse (Garden Route Gazelles); Luke Schooling (Drakensburg Dragons); Alex Stewart, Matt de Sousa, Charlie Bowren and Rob McKinley (SA u21 team playing as Golden Gate Gladiators); Heather McEwan, Natasha Rootenburg and Nicole la Fleur (Wineland Wings); and Tarryn Glasby, Christine Seggie, Dani Cairns and Alegra Dijkstra (SA u21 team playing as Namaqualand Daisies). The Gazelles finished third after a victory over the Gladiators, while the Wineland Wings also won bronze.

“To be honest I had no idea what to expect from the PHL but it was tempting so I gave up my name for the drafting. After winning the USSA tournament I was amped to play some more hockey,” Drummond said after his team's victory.

He and his Maties teammate Jacques Bleeker were drafted by the Maropeng Cavemen – a team that consisted mostly of players based in Johannesburg.

"It was clear from the start that our focus was to be a close-knit team and that each player worked towards the same goal. In Rassie Pieterse we had a strong leader who made sure we all remained focused and on the same page. 

"It was an interesting experience to be part of a team in which we had very little in common but our love for hockey! Having been a Province boy all my life it was a great experience to be in the same team as players I have never played with before. I was very lucky to be part of the Cavemen."

Drummond thinks the PHL is a great concept.

"The PHL gives hockey players something more to play for. I have been playing hockey for the past 10 years and ever since I can remember this is what players have been asking for: a professional league for local hockey. The ultimate goal is for hockey to be a professional sport. This year was just the first step, I believe, and I am sure it will only get bigger and better. The 2016 PHL was a treat and pleasure to be part of.” 

First year Matie Schooling played for a team who struggled in the PHL, but it was still a wonderful opportunity for the youngster. 

“It was an epic experience to be exposed to such a quality range of players from across the country that you never really expected to play with. The senior national players from our team really helped me with certain aspects of the game. 

"The professionalism of the league was also really awesome. Despite a long and successful season for Maties and all the high performance exposure we get it was incredible to have the opportunity to see what the top level of hockey looks like on a national scale. I’m really looking forward to next year after the success of the inaugural league.”