Hoërskool Kempton Park athletics coach Michael van Aswegen has hailed it as both a privilege and an honour for the school to cement its status as one of the key feeder institutions for Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).

Alongside Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Monument and Hoërskool Randburg, Kempies continues to showcase one of the province’s strongest development programmes, reinforcing its reputation as a powerhouse in nurturing top-tier athletics talent.

A total of 19 Kempies athletes – including sprint hurdler Carla Muller, jumper Anna-Mart Viljoen and thrower Jaco Venter – have been selected to represent the province at the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 track and field championships at Germiston Stadium from March 26 to 28.

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Van Aswegen, also a juniors coach at Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC), said the selections are a fitting reward for a season defined by hard work and consistency.

“As a school, to position ourselves as a key feeder for CGA really is a privilege and an honour,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of these athletes and the commitment and sacrifices they make to earn their place in these teams.

“They are putting their hands up and saying, ‘we are here, we are doing the work, and we want to be recognised’. Competing at national level is something many of them dream about.”

The selections come on the back of an impressive showing at the CGA Championships (March 12–14), where Kempies athletes delivered multiple podium finishes.

Michael Bekker, Werno Pretorius and Muller struck gold in their respective events, while Venter, Anja Naudè and Natalie Strydom secured commendable top-three finishes.

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Van Aswegen, a former junior 800m standout who represented South Africa at the 2009 World Athletics U20 Championships, said he takes great pride in the athletes’ dedication beyond the school environment.

“It’s an absolute privilege to have this number of athletes fully invested in the sport and looking to take it further. The club structure plays a crucial role in exposing them to higher levels of competition beyond school athletics.

“We encourage them to use their weekends and holidays to compete. That willingness to go the extra mile speaks volumes about their commitment,” he said.

Looking ahead to the national championships, Van Aswegen backed his athletes to build on their momentum, with Bekker aiming to add to his medal haul after a double podium finish at last year’s event in Cape Town.

“For them to cap off an already successful season with strong performances at nationals would be phenomenal. From the school’s side, we wish them nothing but the best for the weekend ahead.”