U18 South African team announced

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.

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