From Bursary Recipient to First Team: A Full-Circle Moment at Edenvale High
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
Last week, our team gathered on the Edenvale High School Astro for what has become one of our favourite annual traditions - handing over the 2026 First Team hockey kits to the boys' and girls' squads.
This marks our fourth consecutive year partnering with Edenvale High's hockey programme. And after a strong 2025 season, we're more excited than ever about what's ahead.
A season to build on
The 2025 results speak for themselves. The boys' First Team - a young side still developing - finished 3rd in the league. The girls made it through to the league play-offs.
Credit goes to the players, of course, but also to the coaching staff and teachers who put in countless hours on the training ground. We simply provide the kit; they provide the dedication.
A full-circle moment
Among the 2026 girls' squad is Tamia, a recipient of the Monique Memorial Bursary we established at Edenvale High in 2023. Three years later, she's earned her place in the First Team.
Tamia collecting her First Team kit - three years after receiving an FCA bursary at the same school.
That's what sustained community investment looks like - not separate initiatives, but connected support that helps young people thrive academically, financially, and on the field.
Why we keep showing up
At First Consulting Alliance (FCA), we partner with businesses across South Africa to simplify their technology so they can focus on growth. That same philosophy - long-term commitment, consistent support, showing up when it matters - guides how we approach our community partnerships.
The easy version of sponsorship is writing a cheque once and moving on. The harder version is being there year after year. Watching players progress from U14 to First Team. Seeing alumni move on to university hockey programmes.
That's what we're here for.
More than hockey
What continues to impress us about Edenvale High is that sporting excellence reinforces academic performance, not the other way around. The school achieved a 97.4% matric pass rate in 2024 and consistently ranks among the top schools in Ekurhuleni.
The learners in these photos aren't just hockey players. They're future professionals building discipline, teamwork and resilience that will serve them long after they leave the Astro.
Looking ahead
After a 3rd-place finish and a play-off run in 2025, both squads will be hungry for more. We'll be there - cheering from the sidelines.
To every player who received their kit last week: wear it with pride.
First Consulting Alliance (FCA) is a Bedfordview-based IT services company supporting businesses across South Africa. We've partnered with Edenvale High School since 2023, supporting both the boys' and girls' First Team hockey programmes and the Monique Memorial Bursary.