We will not let Jaguars fall apart, says star De Ridder
De Ridder drags the ball through the KHC defense at the Weatherhead Open in June. She has scored 19 goals this national league season. PHOTO BY JB SSENKUBUGE
What you need to know:
HOCKEY. Jaguars started in 2011, after a hockey clinic, as a feeder side to the A side but later became an independent team within the club.
KAMPALA. Weatherhead A (Gazelles) forward and ladies’ National Hockey League (NHL) top scorer Josefien de Ridder, with 19 goals in 12 matches, has called on her teammates to show support for the club’s B team.
Weatherhead B (Jaguars) sat atop of the ladies’ National Hockey League (NHL) table for two rounds but have since struggled for form and squad depth after Winnie Wandera, Sarah Alok and Daphine Nakibuuka left for Dubai.
The Gazelles that started slow have since been inspired by De Ridder, to rise to second spot, five points behind leaders Wananchi (23 points) with four games left to end the league.
Jaguars started in 2011, after a hockey clinic, as a feeder side to the A side but later became an independent team within the club.
However, the results overtime reflect the side has failed to break away from the shadows of the senior side and there has been a sense of neglect for the Jaguars from the club.
“I understand where such thoughts come from and it is important that we make them (Jaguars) belong,” De Ridder said, before adding; “it is important to combine the two teams for the Independence Open this weekend so we can learn from each other and strengthen both sides.”
But critics will quickly remind De Ridder that when the two sides combined for the Wananchi Open in July, some players stayed away as they lost the Cup to the hosts, further highlighting the differences eating up Weatherhead.
“That was then. But even though Weatherhead A is capable of winning trophies on their own, we can’t let Team B slip,” she said.
