Pumas visit their future fans

OHRIGSTAD – The Steval Pumas visited two local schools in the area while completing their pre-season training at Hannah Lodge.

On Friday morning the team arrived at Maepa Primary School where the players carried boxes of Futurelife and water that was handed to the pupils. Head coach,

Mr Jimmy Stonehouse, assistant coach, Mr MJ Metz and team manager, Mr Marius van Rensburg accompanied the squad.

The goods were handed over to the headmaster, Mr Stephens Mkhabela. “Mr Fred Kinnear adopted the school as part of his social responsibility and community-involvement programme. This is why we feel privileged to assist them in this regard while visiting Hannah Lodge,” said Van Rensburg.

Mkhabela thanked the team and Mr Ryan Wood, general manager of the lodge for their assistance. “The food is prepared at school and is usually the only meal the children have for the day. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to everyone who helps,” Mkhabela told Steelburger/Lydenburg News.

The Steval Pumas then took a bus ride to Ohrigstad Primary School where autographs were signed. They also sang their famous team song while the media had the opportunity to take photographs of some of the players mingling with the inspired young pupils.

“We finished our pre-season training this year at the luxurious Hannah Lodge. We would like to thank Mr Fred Kinnear and Mr Ryan Wood for their generous hospitality and the privilege to make use of their awesome facility,” said the team.

After completing their duties, they headed to sites near Lydenburg where they enjoyed a day relaxing and fly-fishing. The next day the players completed their team-building activities, enjoyed a braai at the lodge and headed back to Nelspruit on Sunday.

They will play their last warm-up game against the MTN Lions on February 22 in Nelspruit after which they will take on the Falcons in Kempton Park on March 8 in their first league match for the season.