8 November 2023
After engineering a remarkable turnaround at DHS, the school’s Director of Hockey, Michael Baker, will be joining Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) in 2024 to head up the Stellenbosch school’s hockey programme.
PRG is already one of the best hockey-playing schools in South Africa. In fact, in 2023, their 1st XI was the only team to defeat a supremely talented SACS 1st team, which was rated as one of the best yet seen in South Africa.
A stellar record
Given his achievements with DHS, however, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Baker elevate PRG even further. When he joined the Horseflies six years ago, the DHS 1st XI averaged 0.4 goals per game for, and 11 goals against. The situation was dire.
Then, the school had four teams. Now it has 12. School’s u14A, u16A and 1st teams all ranked among the top 10 in South Africa this past season.
DHS also opened an Astro next to Blackmore House this year, which has become something of a fortress for School, and has been dubbed “The Coliseum“, by Baker, no less.
Michael Baker’s magical DHS hockey makeover | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com)
National representation
The school’s players excelled on the national and international stage in 2023.
Leruo’s brilliant hockey journey far from over | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com)
Leruo Ditlhakanyane was part of the SA u21 team that won the Africa Junior Cup in March, and even scored in the final. He, Lethabo Bogacwi and Keelan Henry were named in the SA u18 squad after the Inter-provincial Tournament in mid-year, where Baker served as coach of the KZN Coastal u18A team. Aldridge Maasdorp was included in the SA u18 B squad, and Lumi Matwele in the SA u17 team. He’s off to Malaysia to participate in the Mirnawan Cup for the national team from 18-26 November.
Following the u16 IPT, Josh Mungherera, Bhavesh Naicker and Sitchaba Siyoyo were included in the SA u16A squad, and Christopher Abrahams in the SA u16B squad.
It is truly remarkable how much the fortunes of DHS hockey improved under Baker’s inspirational leadership. It was about more than improving on the field of play, it was about a huge shift in culture. The pride the DHS boys now show when representing their school is palpable.
A hotbed of hockey
The challenges he will face in the Western Cape will be different, maybe even tougher. It is a hotbed of hockey talent and PRG will face, as part of their regular schedule, SACS, Rondebosch Boys’ High, Bishops, Wynberg Boys’ High, Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium.
Paul Roos Rector Andre van Staden, in a statement, congratulated Baker on his appointment. “Mr Baker’s wealth of experience, not only in top boys’ schools, but also as part of the senior national programme, makes him the right candidate for the post,” said Van Staden.
“His passion and vision combined will ensure that PRG’s (Paul Roos Gymnasium’s) hockey programme remains one of the best in the country.”
The statement also added: “Mr Baker is also tasked with implementing the necessary coaching structures that will allow all players, including those with the potential to play at national level, to develop their skills optimally.” That’s precisely what Baker achieved at DHS.
DHS set for success
While his departure could be construed as a setback for DHS, he leaves the school with a group of experienced, like-minded coaches, and a deep well of talented players, all of whom have the necessary quality to continue to build upon the foundation that he laid.
He knows he will miss out on coaching a high-quality squad next season, which loses only three players from this year’s outstanding 1st team.
For that reason, though, Baker can undertake the move to the Western Cape with the peace of mind that he, no doubt, has left DHS hockey with every opportunity to take another step forward in 2024.
Leave a Reply