A Strategic Addition to the U18A Coaching Roster
Michael Baiden, director of hockey at Queen’s College, has taken on a new role as strength and conditioning coach for the SA Schools Hockey U18A team, preparing the squad for the upcoming SA U21 interprovincial tournament in Gqeberha.
The tournament runs from 10 to 14 August, gathering the nation’s top under‑21 talent for a series of high‑intensity matches that serve as a crucial stepping stone toward professional careers.
Baiden’s coaching résumé stretches back to 2016, with notable stints at St Andrew’s, Eunice Girls High, and Grey College, where he built a reputation for merging technical skill development with rigorous physical preparation.
His experience also includes work with provincial sides such as the Free State and Eastern Cape, as well as a bronze‑medal achievement with the boys’ U16 team at last year’s IPT, underscoring his ability to translate training into competitive success.
Speaking about the appointment, Baiden expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with world‑class coaches and to work with the best South African prospects at the U18 level, noting that the selected players will enter the U21 event in peak condition after competing in the U18 tournament in KwaZulu‑Natal from 29 June to 4 July.