Rugby festival launched
The 2015 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was launched at Growthpoint Kingspark Stadium.
THE eighth Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, which will be held over the Easter weekend, was launched at Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium recently.
This year’s festival has attracted powerhouse teams from Grey College in Bloemfontein, Affies and Menlo Park from Pretoria, EG Jansen from Boksburg, HTS Middelburg from Mpumalanga, as well as Selborne, Dale College and Framesby from the Eastern Cape, SACS from Cape Town and local schools Glenwood, Westville Boys’ High and hosts, Kearsney College, from KwaZulu-Natal.
In endorsing the festival, John Smit, CEO of The Sharks and former Springbok coach, said schoolboy rugby plays an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s rugby culture.
“Rugby at schools is a forum in which the values of sportsmanship, team work, hard work, perseverance, respect and honour can be taught and embraced,” he said.
Talent scouts and selectors from The Sharks and Sharks Academy will again watch all three play days over the Easter weekend – Thursday, 2 April, Saturday, 4 April and Monday, 6 April – and The Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2016 to three selected players. Backed by The Sharks, the bursaries will include a contract with The Sharks Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its reputable education partners. Each bursary is valued at R100 000. The recipients will be announced immediately after the final game of the festival.
Three primary school teams from Highbury, Pelham and Umhlali Preparatory have also been invited to showcase their skills against the KZNRU Ibutho/Mark Godefroy U13 team. Kicking off play each day, this game will be followed by six premier high school fixtures.
Festival director, Taff Green, announced that a new outreach initiative was being introduced.
“Together with the KZNRU Development Programme we plan to help equip players from less privileged backgrounds with kit and equipment, and invite the public to bring new or good condition second-hand rugby kit and leave them in designated collection bins at the main field,” Green said.
All sizes of rugby shorts and jerseys, socks, boots, rugby balls, kit bags and any equipment would be appreciated. Contributions will be handed over during the closing ceremony after the final game.
Numerous food outlets and a refreshment tent will ensure spectators can fully enjoy the special family atmosphere.
No alcohol will be permitted onto the campus. Entry is R20 for pedestrians and R50 a vehicle, with ample parking available. Entry includes a glossy festival brochure providing team information and player statistics.
Fixtures and festival information are available on www.kearsney.com.
