Noordwyk Secondary School continues its dominance in the Midrand Schools Athletics Cluster
Over the past three years, Noordwyk has consistently triumphed in the Midrand Schools Athletics Cluster, successfully defending their cluster trophy this year.
Despite limited training resources, the sports department at Noordwyk Secondary School has achieved remarkable success.
The school excels in nurturing talent across various sports, including netball, football, and athletics, to name a few, establishing itself as a leading institution in Midrand for developing young athletes, even when competing against better-equipped schools.
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Over the past three years, Noordwyk has consistently triumphed in the Midrand Schools Athletics Cluster, successfully defending their cluster trophy this year. They collected more than 30 medals at the competition, highlighting their dominance.
Sports coordinator Ezra Pillay noted that their athletes finished in the top three positions 90% of the time in cluster events. “This year alone, they secured 18 to 20 gold medals, down from 23 last year, along with around 17 silver and 11 or 12 bronze medals, demonstrating consistent high performance,” said Pillay.
Athletes in the top two at the cluster level qualify for district, provincial, and national competitions. On February 24, the Noordwyk team advanced to the district competition at Ruimsig Stadium, earning four gold medals, seven silver, and six bronze.
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Pillay expressed immense pride in the learners, noting their achievements were especially significant given the school’s limited facilities compared to neighbouring schools. “Despite these limitations, the learners have excelled, and the staff feels a deep pride in their accomplishments.”
In addition to athletics, the school’s athletes participated in the Gauteng Track and Field events, with the boys finishing third and the girls sixth. The football team won the Midrand Cluster League and reached the semifinals of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championships last year, further solidifying the school’s reputation in sports.
Coach Afika Ndlazi mentioned plans to introduce rugby, which is gaining popularity among learners, but acknowledged the challenges of limited resources. “We are supporting the sports programmes, with the principal showing a strong passion for sports. We also aim to start volleyball and expand the range we offer,” said Ndlazi.
The school is actively seeking sponsorships to enhance its sports programmes and install an athletic track, recognising the potential for its athletes to excel further.
“By providing better facilities, we hope to help learners reach national competition levels. Many of our athletes end their journey at the provincial level, often losing to competitors who train on superior surfaces. Our commitment to improving resources reflects our dedication to fostering athletic talent and ensuring learners have every opportunity to succeed.”
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