ATLASVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA - The U18 South African National team was recently announced. The team will be participating in the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championships, Division III Group B, which will be taking place in Monterray, Mexico from 14^th March 2010 to 20^th March 2010.

The South African U/18 Team is as follows:
Baden Best
Brandon Kros                                  

Cai Nebe                                            

Chad Williams                                 

Curtley  Swartland  

Haiko Meyer

Jade Johnson

Jason Gonsalves

Jarryd Goodwin                 

Justin Harman

Luke Carelse

Marcellus Blignaut

Russel van Heyningen

Uthman Samaai

Warwick du Preez              

Werner van Niekerk           

Xander Botha                   

Xander Nel

Goalies:

Jack Nebe

Adam de Carvalho

Reserves  (non-travelling):

Lloyd Schluter

Thando Ndlovu

Callum Bremner

Ryan Steven

The team manager is Elsabe Stockhoff, assistant Manager Steven Johnson, Coach Andre Marais and Assistant Coach Ashley Bock.

The team will be playing games against:

Ireland

Isreal

Mexico

New Zealand.

They open their account at the 2010 world championships on Monday 15^th March at 19:30 against the hosts Mexico.

This should be a very hotly contested game as it was when the teams first met.

Photo by Michelle Pretorius

South Africa vs New Zealand is also going to an interesting game as there is a lot of pride at stake here. These 2 countries, predominantly rugby and cricket playing, have great long standing rivalries in these two sports. A new rivalry is arising with the South African and New Zealand ice hockey teams as they have met at Senior and U20 level a few times before, however this will be the first meeting between the 2 U18 nations.

The South African National team hosted a week long training camp in Cape Town from the 7^th to 11^th on December 2009.

The feedback so far received is that the team is looking good and starting to come together.

As in RSA, it is difficult to get the team together sometimes due to the vast distances between the different regions. The coaches are feeling positive about the developments within the camp and are looking forward to the tournament.

We wish the U18’s the best of luck and hope they bring back the Gold.

Go get em boys!

Contact gary.bock@prohockeynews.com

Contact the photographer michelle.pretorius@prohockeynews.com