TOP STORY
NORTHWOOD OLD BOY DURAN KRUMMECK IN IRELAND 7s RUGBY TEAM
A big @KZN10.com pat on the back of Northwood School Class of 2014’s Duran Krummeck, who has been selected for the Ireland Sevens rugby team to play against the USA and Great Britain teams in an upcoming international tournament in England.
Feature photo: Northwood Old Boy Duran Krummeck looks completely at home in that Ireland national sevens rugby team shirt.
A DURAN MUST-WATCH ON OVERCOMING SETBACKS, MAKING THE JOURNEY AND MORE
These are Tokyo Olympic Games squads, so the future is looking bright for this proud Northwood Knight, who is a prime example of the quality that is produced by the dedicated rugby coaching staff at one of our favourite schools.
Here’s wishing the name Duran Krummeck a permanent spot in the Ireland national team line-up. #NorthwoodKnights
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and and. #TogetherWeAreMore. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
A Knight’s Tale: Northwood Old Boy (2014) Duran Krummeck is making his mark in Ireland rugby.
Derek Krummeck and a then still 18-year-old Duran Krummeck at Riverside Sports Club in Durban north during an U20s tournament in March 2015. Photo: Northglen News
U19 SOCCER: Glenwood & Westville big pluses. Big Thursday – College vs Alex
I had the privilege of watching live schoolboy sport up close and personal for the first time in 14 months Monday and witnessed the best KZN10 first team soccer match I’ve ever seen. Glenwood were a revelation upfront while home side Westville were more composed in what turned into a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Those close to the sport concurred with my thoughts afterwards; the intensity and quality was top-drawer – and it dawned on me how much these boys were jumping out of their skins to play an actual full-blooded derby after the too-long months of absolutely nothing.
Feature photo: Prodigiously talented Michaelhouse soccer striker Alexander Vermeulen is also the House first XV rugby captain and current fullback, although Alex is an outstanding flyhalf too. We will have to wait until the official soccer term, the third term, to see Alex in action on our KZN10.com soccer fields, as with all the top private school teams.
Moments before kick-off at the Jimmy Bellows soccer grounds at 5 Link Rd, Dawncliffe (Westville Old Boys Club) on Monday, the excellent Glenwood (right of pic) and Westville first teams have a final word. This thriller ended in a 2-2 draw. Photo: Jono Cook
My gut-feel is that Glenwood firsts are possibly the marquee team to beat in KZN this year, with Westville a close second. If DHS can establish consistency they are always a threat. It’s still very early days, though, and the keynote third school “soccer” term is when the true picture will be unveiled.
Michaelhouse, with their top-class striker Alexander Vermeulen – having swapped his first XV captaincy and rugger fullback boots for his soccer striker togs – is a genuine football prodigy in a good football school. Hilton College, Clifton, St Charles College and Kearsney will also be properly back in the fray, so there is much to look forward to.
Not only is Michaelhouse’s Alexander Vermeulen a star footballer and rugby player, the boy with the golden left boot is also a talented cricketer and hockey player, and an academic to boot.
Monday was a revelation to me; the spirit of KZN10 schoolboy sport lifted me to a place I haven’t been in 14 long months. Thanks boys, and thank you to the superb organisation of KZN High Schools Football Association that is fast becoming a hallmark of schoolboy soccer in the province.
The Jimmy Bellows soccer grounds at Westville Old Boys Club were alive with the spirit of KZN schoolboy football Monday.
And come 3pm Thursday on the AB Jackson soccer grounds across the road from Harry Gwala (formerly Jan Smuts) Stadium and adjacent to #RedBlackWhite country in Princess Margaret Drive we’ll see the Inland 2nd Term League Big One of the Moment when high-flying Alexandra High firsts take on neighbours Maritzburg College.
Join the outstanding Halfway Toyota Howick motor vehicle dealership and their general manager Brandon Brokensha brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za in supporting my KZN10.com website and social media offering. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for information on the various options.
It should be a cracking match-up with #MCsoccer Maritzburg College firsts looking to improve on their rather sketchy opening match, which yielded a 1-0 win over plucky Linpark.
Covid issues have unfortunately led to Carter and Haythorne (two traditionally strong soccer schools in the PMB/Inland region) not being present this year but that is offset somewhat by the presence of Hilton College, which is great to see.
* It is worth noting, once again, after the “surprising” 2-0 win by the Maritzburg College 2nds over Hilton last week that it is essentially not a Hilton first team, that is, it is not their premier selection of footballers.
Like the other private schools, Hilton boys are primarily geared towards their hockey or rugby commitments in the second school term, so not all the boys who are up for first team soccer consideration are available for this the second term league.
The impressive Westville first soccer team halftime huddle during the 2-2 classic vs Glenwood at the Jimmy Bellows ground in Westville Monday afternoon. Photo: Jono Cook
This is Hilton’s first venture into competitive second term football. An admirable initiative by Hilton.
It is in the third term – the big soccer term – that we will see what the Hilton first side (historically a strong outfit) and the other private schools are really made of, when all their boys are available for soccer selection.
Most of the government schools in the KZN set-up have the numbers to afford the luxury of year-round football squads.
It was time: The 2019 Maritzburg College 1st soccer team were geared up… the tussle for the oldest schools sports trophy in the province, the annual Raw Cup (132 years old) clash with DHS – and on Goldstones to boot. In the most helter-skelter match you can imagine, #RedBlackWhite won 4-2 on penalty shootout after the scores were locked 1-1 at full-time. Photo Jono Cook
STUFF TO TAKE NOTE OF
KZN U19 RESULTS
WEEK 1 – KZN INLAND STREAM
Wednesday 5 May – U19 League
Alexandra High School 5
[C. Chaba x3, S. Spipo, P. Phumelela]
Maritzburg Christian School (MCS) 1
[A. Colborne]
Maritzburg College 2nds 2
[A. Simelane, T. Latha]
Hilton College Invitational XI 0
St Nicholas 4
(L. Newman ×3, S. Lurwengu)
Newton 1
(N. Mthembu)
Thursday 6 May – U19 League
Maritzburg College 1sts 1
[S. Myende]
Linpark 0
WEEK 1 – KZN COASTAL STREAM
Monday 10 May – U19 League
Glenwood 2
[S. Ndlovu, S. Mzobe]
Westville 2
[B. Nduli, J. Lee]
Kloof 2
[own goal, Mdluli]
DHS 4
[Vilakazi, S. Dlamini, Langazane, Buyisa]
Northwood 0
Hillcrest 1
[A. Ntshangase]
Port Shepstone 3
[O. Skhosana x2, A. Ngcobo]
Kingsway 1
[M. Mbanjwa]
WEEK 2 (this week) FIXTURES – KZN INLAND STREAM
Wednesday 12 May – U19 League
Duzi River Fields (3.15pm)
St. Nicholas vs Maritzburg College 2nds
Zungu Field @ Hilton College (3.30pm)
Hilton College Invitational vs Linpark
Maritzburg Christian School (3pm)
MCS vs Newton
Thursday 13 May – U19 League
AB Jackson (3pm)
Maritzburg College firsts vs Alexandra
KZN10.com schoolboy soccer greats – Mark Tovey of Northwood
Mark Tovey, now 66, is a Northlands Old Boy (now Northwood after the amalgamation of Northlands and Beachwood) who played for Durban City U10 12 and 14 before signing for Durban United aged 16.
At age 23 Mark won the Federation Professional League and Cup Double with one of the great clubs of the segregation era, Durban City. In his second spell at City, Mark won the 1982 and 1983 National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) again under legendary SA coach Clive Barker.
Feature image: Mark Tovey of Northlands Primary and Northlands High School… in the twilight of a remarkable soccer career that culminated in 6 trophies at Kaizer Chiefs.
After joining Bush Bucks, Mark won the first ever National Soccer League (NSL) title (in 1985), once again under Barker, who was known as “The Dog”. In 1987, Player of the Tournament, Mark won the JPS Knockout Cup with Bush Bucks after Bucks won the replay against Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung had been after the signature of Mark since Tovey’s teenage years and finally secured this now 33-year-old iconic South African footballer to play under the Amakhosi colours in 1988.
Mark Tovey won 6 titles while at Chiefs and it is widely held that this Northlands Old Boy played an instrumental role in the early career of Lucas Radebe, who became a household name with the national team Bafana Bafana and played with great distinction at Leeds United.
Mark Tovey, older brother of another SA star Neil, is a true legend of KZN schoolboy soccer.
A ncouraging resumption of KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns – albeit without spectators – and Halfway Howick Toyota puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his fine dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com
Home side Westville 1sts soccer v Glenwood 1sts at 3.30pm
The KZN High Schools’ Football Association’s (KZNHSFA) Coastal stream kicks off at Westville Old Boys (WOB) soccer grounds come 3.30pm this afternoon. (SEE ALL FIXTURES BELOW) It’s the opening round of the Coastal U19 2nd Term League – and 4 of the KZN10.com school 1st teams are involved – it’s Northwood vs Hillcrest on WOB 1 at 3.30pm with the KZN10.com derby between Glenwood and Westville on WOB 2 also at 3.30pm. The 4.40pm matches see DHS versus Kloof on WOB 2 while Port Shepstone tackle south coast rivals Kingsway at the same time on WOB 1.
With Westville 1sts taking the hockey honours over hosts Glenwood on the 3 Schools Turf Friday evening and Glenwood 1sts taking the rugby laurels over Westville on Dixons Saturday afternoon, this third leg of the winter sports triumvirate has added spice.
It is wonderful to see the work being put in by the KZNHSFA as there is an equivalent Inland U19 league as well as combined Inland-Coastal U14, U15 and U16 leagues in this the second term.
My KZN10.com website and social media offering is finally back. As school sport returns – albeit without spectators – Halfway Toyota Howick has puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com
The U19 (1st team) leagues at Inland and Coastal are the main focus. Both of these leagues have 8 participating teams playing each other once, with the top 4 teams progressing to the semi-finals.
The Inland U19 league kicked off last week and the second round gets underway on Wednesday at the AB Jackson soccer fields adjacent to Harry Gwala Stadium in PMB’s Princess Margaret Drive with the marquee match looking to be that between Maritzburg College firsts and top-of-the-log Alexandra High School firsts.
Covid issues have unfortunately led to Carter and Haythorne (2 traditional strong schools in the PMB/Inland region) not being present this year but that is offset a bit by the presence of Hilton College, which is great to see.
* It is worth noting, after the “surprising” 2-0 win by the Maritzburg College 2nds over Hilton last week that it is essentially not a Hilton first team, that is, it is not their premier selection of footballers.
The 3rd Term features the hugely popular PMB High Schools MTN FA Cup for boys and girls first teams at high school level. Let us hope it continues this year.
Hilton boys are primarily geared towards their hockey or rugby commitments in the second school term, so not all the boys who are up for first team soccer consideration are available for the second term league.
It is in the third term that we will see what the Hilton first side (a strong outfit) is really made of, when all their boys are available for soccer selection. Most of the government schools in the KZN set-up have the numbers to afford the luxury of year-round football squads.
After the no-show due to Covid last year, it will be intriguing to see the outcome of today’s Westville Old Boys soccer ground matches, as well as the quality of football at this genesis stage of the season, with football finding its way back –just like the hockey and rugby lads are tentatively doing.
KZN COASTAL U19 2ND TERM LEAGUE FIXTURES
PMB/KZN Inland U19 2ND TERM LEAGUE FIXTURES
COASTAL/INLAND COMBINED LEAGUES
Great Friday for Westville hockey at Glenwood
It doesn’t happen every day that a KZN10 school gets these results against a fellow, established KZN10 hockey school, yet that is exactly the story of yesterday afternoon and early evening’s matches between hosts Glenwood and visitors Westville on the 3 Schools Turf in south Durban.
The number 5 seemed to have a special meaning if one looks at the results achieved with the Westville lads smacking in 5 goals in each of 5 of these 8 match outcomes.
Feature photo caption: All smiles for captain Randal Govender (front row, extreme left), coach Cam Mackay (5th from right, front row) and Team Westville firsts after beating hosts Glenwood 5-1 on the 3 Schools Turf in Durban last night.
Glenwood, under director of hockey and first team coach Jonty Robinson, have a quality hockey programme and this underscores the fact that on the day it was pretty much all Westville.
The first teams drew at the recent KZN Schools Hockey Festival, as I understand it, so the comprehensive scoreline of 5-1 to Westville this time round is all the more remarkable.
Westville won 7 of the 8 matches with the only win that went Glenwood’s way being the U16C match, which the hosts won 1-0.
Of the top-tier matches, the U14A clash went 5-0 to Westville, while the U16A Westville lads copied their first side with a mirror-image scoreline of 5-1.
It happens like that sometimes, so good on you, Westville first team captain Randal Govender and team-mates, director of hockey and first team coach Cam Mackay and all at Westville Hockey. These days are ones to savour.
I am sure that Glenwood will be back in strong fashion after absorbing the learnings of the day.
Results I have to hand right now are as follows…
1st team: Glenwood 1 Westville 5
2nds: Glenwood 0 Westville 2
3rds: Glenwood 0 Westville 5
U16A: Glenwood 1 Westville 5
U16B: Glenwood 0 Westville 5
U16C: Glenwood 1 Westville 0
U14A: Glenwood 0 Westville 5
U14B: Glenwood 0 Westville 1
An encouraging resumption of KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns. The last 14 months destroyed me financially. Seriously. Destroyed. Halfway Toyota Howick has shown leadership and belief in putting its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com
Westville Old Boy Errol Stewart continues to add value
The schools I call the KZN10 have turned out many distinguished alumni and one of the alumna who surely ranks high among this grand group of gentlemen has to be Westville Boys’ High School’s Errol Stewart, who has recently been elected chairman of the board of governors at the iconic Durban Country Club, which celebrates its 100th birthday on 9 December, 2022.
If one were to write a P.G. Wodehouse-type schooldays novel, one could think of few better than Errol Stewart upon which to model one’s central character.
A gentleman’s gentleman, Errol has distinguished himself in a host of fields and endeavours and is a fine example of the principles that Westville Boys’ High School seeks to instil in its learners… resilience, respect, discipline, humility, character and dignity.
The wonderful pavilion on Bowdens… one of the many capital projects engineered by the Westville Foundation.
Among the many hats he wears, and has previously worn, Errol is one of the founding directors of the WBHS Foundation which, among its signature achievements, successfully engineered the establishment of the boarding house facilities at the school.
Apart from flying aeroplanes when he has a chance, the mind of this UKZN Law School graduate is no doubt well employed in his executive position at one of South Africa’s leading banks, as well as in the various other roles, both official and unofficial, in which he contributes add-value to society.
His academic prowess notwithstanding, this 1987 SA Schools rugby player and cricketer was also the recipient of WBHS honours awards in two other sports in which he gained provincial representative colours, namely hockey and athletics. Those schoolboy sporting achievements alone set Errol apart.
THE NEXT 50 DAYS… what a lot we got to look forward to…
Post-school, Errol played provincial cricket (wicketkeeper/batsman) and rugby (centre) for Natal as well as being capped for the Proteas, and has another rare distinction to his name – being a member of both the Natal cricket and rugby teams that were the respective Currie Cup champions of South Africa in 1995.
Oh, and not surprisingly Errol plays off a single-figure handicap when he gets time to launch his drive down the fairways of one of the world’s most renowned golf courses… at Durban Country Club.
A man of conviction, Errol retired from top-level cricket in 2003 (a 15-year first-class career) when, on principle, and in the face of much official pressure, he refused to accept the captaincy of the South Africa A team that was selected to tour a deeply troubled and divided Zimbabwe.
Bowdens… Home of the Griffin… and the scene of many an epic Westville first XV and first XI match…
The griffin is symbolic of WBHS… a mythical being that is part eagle and part lion, blessed with remarkable strength, unfailingly protective instincts and zero-tolerance for evil.
Errol Stewart… a man of many parts… a true WBHS Griffin.
Errol Stewart (2nd from left) with some noted Griffins of Westville. See who you can spot…
Sources: DCC, WBHS, CricInfo, News24
A resumption of the KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns – albeit without spectators – and Halfway Toyota Howick puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his exemplary motor vehicle dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com
Many positives for Maritzburg College rugby as KZN10 season beckons
It has been an encouraging start to the 2021 year for Maritzburg College rugby. The leading players in the age-group teams have, through the recent Fichardtpark festival in Bloemfontein, got to know one another in a series of three matches apiece and the building of team spirit and cohesion is going to stand them in good stead as the domestic season hopefully swings into action without unforeseen outside influences this coming Saturday.
After a 2020 schoolboy rugby year that never was, the very fact that the Maritzburg College boys and their teams have actually been able to go away, bond together, and play actual matches is the biggest winner by far.
The Maritzburg College U14 group won their 3 matches comfortably; the U15s had 2 close matches that were sure to provide them with much food for thought, plus a comfortable win; the U16s had 2 tight matches winning by 11 points in one match and going down by 9 points in the other, plus a comfortable win (this group have been also given much match evidence to work with).
The Maritzburg College 2nd XV registered 3 sets of wins over 1st teams, one by 4 points, one by 7 points and the other by 15 points – the implication is that they were thoroughly tested.
The Red Black and White’s first XV (feature pic) earned 2 wins by 18-point margins and the third by 19 points.
So a thoroughly deserved congratulations to Maritzburg College director of rugby Hein Kriek and his coaches and support staff across the age-groups plus, of course, the boys themselves. Good on you. Very well done guys. It appears that a solid base had been put in place.
Wishing strength to build upon strength across the board as Maritzburg College rugby ventures further into 2021.
MARITZBURG COLLEGE FICHARDTPARK FESTIVAL RESULTS
Day 1
U14 vs Welkom Gim 40-5
U15 vs Welkom Gim 42-5
U16 vs Grey College 17-26
2nd XV vs Sentraal 1st XV 28-24
1st XV vs Voortrekker Bethlehem 35-17
Maritzburg College left wing Josh Munn, son of Wayne, made his 1st XV debut in the Red Black and White premier team’s opening match in Bloem.
Day 2
1st XV vs Diamandveld 26-8
2nd XV vs HTS Louis Botha 29-14
U16 vs Noord Kaap 43-17
U15 vs Noord Kaap 17-16
U14 vs Noord Kaap 48-7
The Maritzburg College 1st XV jerseys ready and waiting as the team puts in final prep before kick-off.
Day 3
1st XV vs Duineveld 24-5
2nd XV vs Fichardtpark 1st XV 31-24
U16 vs Fichardtpark 28-17
U15 vs Grey College 14-17
U14 vs Fichardtpark 66-5
Information sourced from Maritzburg College social media.
#RedBlackWhite
#GoCollege
And an encouraging resumption of my KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns – albeit without spectators – and Halfway Toyota Howick puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his outstanding Toyota dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com
When angry buffalo memories scatter your thoughts
It is amazing how you chance upon a random Facebook feed and find yourself spending a good couple of hours happily lost down Memory Lane.
Thanks Anthony Hall, your post sparked all sorts of happy reminiscences – although I must hasten to add an especially (unfond) uncomfortable afternoon memory too…
See if you recognise these players and the coach/manager etc. If so, please point out who is who amongst this quality group of KZN10 schoolboy cricketers from that early eighties era who as far as I can recall were outstanding as a team at that 1983 Nuffield Week.
A heartfelt thank you to Maritzburg College Old Boy and general manager of the outstanding Halfway Howick Toyota dealership, Brandon Brokensha, for being the first supporter of KZN10.com after the nightmare of the last 14 months. Please join Brandon and back me. I can be contacted at joncookroy@gmail.com
I do recall some of the guys almost immediately, although my facts and so on may be more than a little hazy here and there.
I notice the 1983 Maritzburg College and Natal Schools captain, the wicketkeeper/batsman Andrew Brown (front row, third from left); his school teammate, the left-arm seamer and right-hand bat Greg Walsh (back row, third from the right).
And on the far right in the front row, fellow Maritzburg College batsman Richard Delvin, who I think made 2 centuries at the 1983 Nuffield Week but missed out on SA Schools selection – there must have been some seriously in-form batsman at that Nuffield Week.
I think Greg Walsh, who was an outstanding fielder into the bargain, also hit a century at that Nuffield Week.
Not sure who took the bulk of the wickets.
Durban High School’s Robbie May (back row, fourth from the right) was an effective quick bowler so I am not surprised he is in this outstanding team, which I think (as I said) had a superb Nuffield Week.
I think that fifth from the left in the back row is Kearsney College paceman Anthony Hall, who made SA Schools that year as far as I can recall. Ant was seriously quick and uber-aggressive, and had the ability to cut the ball viciously off a reasonably responsive pitch.
Anthony Hall and his outstanding son James, the former Junior Springbok scrumhalf whose skill at Stade Francais is making serious waves in French Top 14 Rugby. Ant and James are two of Kearsney College’s finest. I am pleased, too, that Ant’s dad went to Maritzburg College.
I was last at school in 1982 and as I type this I vividly recall facing Ant’s right-arm pace and fire – a charging buffalo had nothing on a suitably riled-up Ant Hall – from one end on Kearsney’s splendid AH Smith Oval while the ultra-talented Natal Schools (and further) flyhalf Cameron Oliver (RIP), who was a left-arm quick capable of weaving red-ball magic when the mood took him, was at full-throttle from the other end.
Just to get bat on ball – at all – on that testing fourth term 1982 Saturday afternoon felt like a triumph in itself.
I think that second from the right in the back row is Michaelhouse’s hard-hitting all-rounder Dave Burger, who later finished his schooling at Maritzburg College.
I think that’s Beachwood’s Craig Small in the front row – while I think Craig Beart of Hilton is there as well, alongside Rich Delvin. And the teacher coach in the front row has to be Hilton’s Ant Lovell.
And Dean van der Walt of DHS is there, it might have been Dean’s second year in the side.
Help me out guys.
When the ticks on a ruffled buffalo are biting in all the wrong places it’s no place to be.
Maritzburg College hockey is fast making its mark in 2021
The Maritzburg College hockey season has got off to an exceptional start with 12 wins, two draws and 1 loss for its premier teams in the recent KZN Schools Hockey Festival.
And with six Maritzburg College Old Boys in the current SA men’s Olympic Games squad, the Red Black White hockey flag is flying high. Best wishes to former Maritzburg College captains Matthew Guise-Brown (also head prefect in his year), Taine Paton, Tyson Dlangwana and Tevin Kok, plus Siya Nolutshungu and Nduduzo Peabo Lembethe.
Siya, Peabo and Tyson are currently involved in the five-Test series against Namibia at Northcliffe High School in Johannesburg.
The Maritzburg College first team were treated to a capping ceremony (feature image) ahead of the KZN Schools Hockey Festival and this included a virtual speech from 2018 head prefect and Sharks rugby player Ntuthuko Mchunu, such an inspiration in leading by example.
Then it was the turn of the Red Army Class of 2021 to tackle St Charles College first team in match 1 of the festival. A 2-0 victory was achieved, with the U16A team winning 4-0 and the U14A’s 2-0 against their Saints counterparts.
The scene across Maritzburg College’s Papes Astro on the morning of Day 2 of the festival and the Glenwood clash.
The morning session on Day 2 of the festival saw College effect another cleansweep across the three age-group tiers, accounting for Glenwood this time, with a 3-0 victory at first team level, the U16A’s winning 5-1 and the U14A’s to the tune of 3-0.
Possibly the most-anticipated round of the festival was the Day 2 afternoon session involving Maritzburg College and Hilton College. The Red Black and White’s first team shaded their Hilton counterparts 2-1; the U16A’s played to a 0-0 draw while the Maritzburg College U14A’s edged their Hilton opponents 3-2.
The morning session on the third and final day of the festival saw an extremely tight round of matches, the Red Army of Maritzburg College first team drawing 1-1 with Northwood; the U16A’s edging the Durban north lads 1-0 in another close affair, while the U14A clash saw another 1-0 win going the way of Maritzburg College.
The last round of festival fixtures for the trio of Maritzburg College teams was against Durban High School (DHS) and one result that really stands out is the DHS U14A side’s 4-0 win over the Red Black and White, while at first team level College won 3-1 with the U16A’s prevailing 1-0.
So the Maritzburg College U16A team came away from the festival with 4 wins and 1 draw; the U14A’s with 4 wins and 1 loss; and the first team with 4 wins and 1 draw.
And as the winter hockey year kicks on to what we all hope will be regular and unfettered matches over the term, it appears to be very clear that Maritzburg College director of hockey Robin Jones and his coaches across the ranks are ticking the right boxes with their players.
Maritzburg College director of hockey Robin Jones surveys his Papes Astro domain at a training session a few days ahead of the festival.
KZN10 schools sign sports Memorandum of Understanding
I apologise for the delay in publicising this but if it helps inform at least one person then it is worth it. The Heads of what I call the KZN10 schools (in alphabetical order) – Clifton, DHS, Glenwood, Hilton, Kearsney, Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse, Northwood, St Charles and Westville – signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday as to the official protocols that will be in place as schools’ sport resumes in earnest.
Here below is the text in full:
Resumption of school sports fixtures
It is with great excitement that all school sports fixtures have been given the green light to proceed. As a collective of boys’ schools in KZN, we are delighted as we all understand the significant educational value that sport plays in the development of young men.
Furthermore, our strength as boys’ schools is built on the solid foundation of friendly matches that have served us well over the years, as boys gather stories to be told long into their twilight years.
Despite the challenges this pandemic presents us, our collaboration as boys’ schools continues to go from strength to strength and this particular period in our long histories will be remembered for many years to come, we have no doubt.
Importantly, however, this resumption of fixtures comes with a set of Gazetted regulations which are in place to protect all our boys and their families from the still very present threat of COVID-19.
Although we may all hold our own views on these regulations, as schools we understand that the primary goal of having our boys participate and compete is the prize at this time; the euphoria of derby days and all the fun they bring will return in time but this aspect is not our main objective now.
We want our boys to play.
With this in mind, we have agreed that the following will apply at all our schools until further relaxations are allowed:
- NO spectators are allowed at matches.
- Boys playing AWAY fixtures will leave to return home as soon as possible after their game has been concluded.
- No war-cries will be allowed.
- Live-streaming of games, where schools have been able to secure equipment to realise this, will be encouraged so that parents can be ‘virtually’ included in watching their sons compete.
The intention behind returning to sporting fixtures has a few tenets:
- a) We need to ensure we avoid creating a throng of people at any of our schools – we aim to “thin the day” through these measures.
b) School sporting fixtures are primarily about the camaraderie of playing – this first step in our return to sport should be our primary focus.
Lastly, we need to be vigilant in our collective fight against this pandemic. All of us hope that this permission to proceed with fixtures is not revoked in the light of a further outbreak of COVID-19 or as a result of schools and their communities not adhering to the regulations – this would spoil it for everyone.
As a collective of schools, we ask that everyone adheres to these regulations and the spirit with which we are approaching our return to fixtures.
Signed on 26 April 2021 by the Heads on behalf of the schools below.
Clifton College
Durban High School
Glenwood Boys High School
Hilton College
Kearsney College
Maritzburg College
Michaelhouse
Northwood Boys School
St Charles College
Westville Boys High School