‘Initiation practices have no place in our school’
Players found guilty of initiation practices received written warnings.
It has recently come to light that senior players of Hoërskool Hans Moore’s first cricket team were implicated in controversial initiation practices during a recent school tour.
According to information from a concerned parent who wished to remain anonymous, they punished junior players for on-field errors and subjected them to daily ‘whippings’.
The Benoni City Times met with the school’s newly appointed principal, Mike Mearns, who shed light on the incident and steps taken against the players.
The tour took place in Cape Town at the beginning of January.
“Reports of the initiation practices reached me shortly after the team returned from tour,” said Mearns.
“We have a strict policy against all initiation practices on the school grounds and sports fields. When these allegations came to light, a meeting was called with the cricket coordinator, coaches and parents.”
Mearns explained they found senior players would use a flip-flop or plastic wicked to strike junior players on the rear as punishment for errors made on the field.
“Junior players indicated that were not forced to partake and had an option of which implement could be used,” he said.
“It was decided that the implicated players’ caps would be revoked and be suspended from the field.
“According to our disciplinary processes framework, these allegations are schedule two offences and therefore a breach of the school’s code of conduct.
“I was not satisfied with the initial outcome and requested the School Governing Body (SGB) as well as the head of the discipline to launch an investigation and for appropriate disciplinary steps to be taken.”
Referring to the SGB report, Mearns says the investigation and disciplinary hearings were concluded by February 13.
“Further sanctions were brought against the players and those found guilty received written warnings,” he said.
“The senior players’ caps have been suspended for the remainder of the term and were instructed to issue written apologies to affected players.
“They will further attend compulsory counselling at the school.”
Mearns reiterated the actions of the senior players were wholly inappropriate and the imposed disciplinary action is aimed at forcing them to take full responsibility for their actions and face the consequences for their actions.
He committed to contact the parent who brought the matter to the attention of the publication.
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