The TuksHockey women’s team had an unbeaten run at this year’s USSA tournament all the way to the finals. In a close final match, they ultimately defeated the Stellenbosch side 2-1. The journey to the top step of the podium in Stellenbosch was dominant, with the team scoring 18 goals and conceding only two.
In an interview with PDBY, Sport, Exercise Medicine, and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI) Sport Scientist Demi Leech reflected on a victory she described as the culmination of months of hard work, trust, and resilience. Leech said that the result meant more than simply lifting another trophy. “Tuks has a big legacy in hockey and one that we wanted to uphold,” she said, adding that returning to win after last year’s third-place finish felt like “a redemption arc” (the TuksHockey Ladies previously won in 2024). The achievement resonated with students, as PDBY Instagram polls showed that 90% of respondents rated the achievement as “Excellent, super”.
According to Leech, success was built long before the first whistle. She explained that sports science focuses on managing “player workload, monitoring performance through GPS data, and ensuring athletes are physically prepared for the demands of the tournament”. However, she believes that trust is equally important. She said, “The relationship you create with [the players] and the trust you have with them creates the biggest impact.” PDBY followers echoed this view, with 59% voting that a combination of player skill, coaching, and sports science were responsible for the team’s success, while 30% credited player skill alone.
Leech also praised head coach Nkuliso “Inky” Zondi, describing their partnership as one built on shared values and complete trust. “Our biggest strength as a unit is that we work as a united front,” she said. The growing interest in the sport was also reflected in PDBY‘s audience, where 86% of respondents said that they would watch USSA hockey if it was more accessible without attending in person or paying. Hopefully, USSA has an answer in the near future for this demand.
| 2026 TuksHockey Ladies Results | ||
| Date | Fixture | Result |
| 29 June | UP-TUKS vs UCT (Pool B) | 7–0 |
| 30 June | UP-TUKS vs EME (Pool B) | 4–1 |
| 1 July | UP-TUKS vs NWUP (Pool B) | 1–0 |
| 2 July | WITS vs UP-TUKS (Position 1–4) | 0–4 |
| 3 July | UP-TUKS vs MATIES (Final) | 2–1 |
