Thokoza school crowned Goliath Cup champions
“I thought we could win depending on who we would play in the finals.”
Landulwazi Comprehensive School (LCS) topped the Goliath Cup league table in the U19 division after recently defeating Fourways High 2-1 in the league finals on Kingfisher Drive, Fourways, Sandton.
The Goliath Cup is a school volleyball league initiated by Dina Kladis from Heronbridge College in Fourways.
The league started on January 28 and concluded on March 5. It comprised three divisions – U14, U16 and U19.
Most of the school league participants were from Tshwane and Johannesburg.
Some of the participants were Heronbridge College, the French School, the German School, Fourways High, Jeppe Girls High, Pretoria Girls High, Kensington High, St Mary’s School, the St Vincent School for the Deaf, Yeshiva College, Hoerskool Elspark and Kings High School, among others.
Thokoza-based LCS won two out of three games against Fourways High. They lost 25-14 in the first game but pulled up their socks for their second game when they equalised after winning 25-18 before claiming the accolades with a 15-13 victory.
Cathula Primary School have crowned champions in the U16 division.
Coach Mokete Letele of LCS said that when they went to the tournament, it was unclear whether they would win it.
He said when they arrived, they realised they stood a chance by looking at the quality of volleyball and knowing what their team was capable of.
“I thought we could win depending on who we would play in the finals. We did not lose any matches leading up to the finals, and we won,” said Letele.
He said what impressed him is that although they participated in the U19 division, their players qualified to play in lower divisions but opted for tougher competition.
Letele said they only practised twice a week, but the challenge was that some learners were still at school attending afternoon classes.
“After winning the tournament, their U19 girls went on to win another annual tournament hosted by Fourways High School.”
He said Pumolo Chiloane, a 17-year-old player, was nominated for best girl player of the year at the Ekurhuleni district’s annual sports awards, and she received a trophy for third position.
“This is the same player selected to represent SA at Malawi for the Region Five Games in 2022 and represented Gauteng schools when they played their national games in Cape Town and Limpopo last year.”
