The sport review

January

– We profiled Highlander’s captain, Errit Visser, who stepped up to a higher division.

– Budding cricketers impressed on the cricket pitch and were selected to various inland and schools teams as a result.

– Bowling prodigy, Aimee Schnetler, recounted her experience at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa: “It was extremely hot there, and it factored into my dehydration.”

– Off-road motorcyclist, Kyle Flanagan, was sponsored a Ford Transit Connect by FedAuto Ford, to help him fulfil his dream of professional racing.

– Newcastle bowler Ron Howe clinched victory in the Open Division at the KZNCB Regional Playoffs.

– Kaveer Singh of Breakwaters donned both the Orange and Purple caps with 25 points, and led the race towards the title of ‘Angler of the Year’.

– Just over R5 000 was raised at the Ncandu 86 Round Table golf day.

– Oval Track hosted its prize giving, where members were rewarded for their efforts on and off the track.

– Rika Stoltz was among managers within Toyota South Africa to join a delegation to Argentina and Bolivia for the 2016 Dakar Rally.

February

– We interviewed local tennis ace, Jane Rafferty, who served up valuable advice.

– Cycling veteran, Gwyn Pine predicted a great year, following his success in 2015.

– Newcastle played host to the Elite Gala, where many ended with medals for swimming.

– Nikita French impressed on horseback at a South African National Equestrian event.

– More than 70 rugby hopefuls attended the Highlanders’ formal team trials.

– Four locals took on the Trans Drak, which took place across 24 hours and 204 kms.

– The Thirsti-SDAN Tournament officially kicked off in Newcastle, giving NKZN hockey a chance to build their teams.

March

– Guests from Johannesburg joined model aircraft enthusiasts in the skies above Newcastle.

– Glencoe-based Sarel Cilliers, took top honours at the Spar KZN Schools Girls’ Hockey Challenge.

– Swimmers rose to the surface at the annual Chelmsford Challenge, which included an entry from South African star swimmer, Chad Ho.

– Hundreds of competitors took on the Battlefields Marathon.

– Close to 500 anglers attended an overnight competition, hosted by Docrat’s AC.

– NKZN JKA Championships concluded in Newcastle.

– Neil van Rooyen and Teresa Nel clinched their divisions at the IFBB Iron Man Novice competition.

April

– Budding karateka, Jaydene Naidoo, walked away with two gold medals at the JKA Championships.

– Aqua Adrenaline Swimming Club reflected on the successes of its first season.

– In its first Premier Division match, Highlanders were punished by Jaguars from Durban.

– Breakwaters secured its position as the VMA League winner.

– Oval Track hosted an Autism Awareness Day race to raise funds for the cause.

– Neil van Rooyen described his fitness journey to the picture of bodybuilding perfection.

– Despite a drubbing at the hands of College Rovers, Highlanders took many positives from their game.

– The Vodacom Winter Festival hosted a golf day at Kilbarchan Club to raise funds for charity.

– Leon Motors hosted a golf day at the Newcastle Golf Club in support of Morester Children’s Home.

– Hundreds of bikers flocked to Utrecht’s Balele Resort for a rally.

– Bodybuilding legend, Mzwakhe Qwabe, was front and centre at a competition in his honour at the Town Hall.

– Butokukan Dojo held an exhibition tournament, showing off its Okinawan karate skills.

– AC Swanepoel chatted about his successful year in cycling.

May

– Jonathan Pentz spoke about the state of archery in Newcastle, and elaborated on his own successes.

– Wei Wei earned himself the title of ‘Beckham’, with his fantastic work on the soccer field.

– Local athletes pushed their bodies to the limit at the Body 5000 Crossfit competition at the Vodacom Newcastle Winter Festival.

– Golfers raised money for six Newcastillians, who would later compete in the Put Foot Rally across Africa.

– Locals brought home over 100 medals from the JKA provincial championships in Pinetown.

– Businessman, Pradeep Singh, dedicated his 20th consecutive Comrades Marathon run to raise funds for Majuba Rotary.

– Local hockey teams impressed at the Natal Country District Tournament, with the Men’s A team announced as champions.

– Kelsey Kemp reflected on a fine season, and her Olympic swimming dreams.

– Newcastle Golf Club hosted its championships, where manager, George Meyer clinched victory in the B-Division.

– Iscor Angling Club took first place at the annual Intercentrum competition, held at the Vaal Dam.

June

– Comrades Marathon veteran, Andre Spies, completed his 25th and final run.

– Local wrestlers, Eldrich Nortje and Wiehan Whelan, were selected to participate in a tournament in Algeria.

– Newcastle Raceway hosted the first leg of the Northern Regional Championships.

– CANSA and Sanlam hosted a charity golf day.

– Koos Ferreira was crowned the 2016 Newcastle Racing Pigeon champion.

– Pradeep Singh raised more than R60 000 for Majuba Rotary through his Comrades Marathon efforts.

– Ferrum clinched victory at the Derby Day against Newcastle High School by winning the rugby match.

– Esperanza Special Needs School hosted a golf day to help keep its doors open.

– Excitement built after the clash between the Sharks XV and the Steval Pumas was confirmed for the Arbor Park Grounds.

– Highlanders came within inches of massive comeback against Durban Crusaders.

– The Sharks XV were front and centre at a gala dinner at Vulintaba.

July

– Alice and Ron Howe held the distinction of being the first couple to hold the Club Singles title in bowls.

– Kaveer Singh clinched the League Champion and Angler of the Year crowns as the APL season came to a close.

– Highlanders III defeated Ladysmith United, to be crowned the Third League champion.

– Eric de Wet spoke of his wrestling idol, father Danie, and his dedication to the sport.

– Kevin White spoke about his need for speed and the adrenaline rush from being behind the wheel of a race car.

– Budding soccer star, Matthew Ewart, reflected on his recent invitation to the United States.

August

– BMW Supertech was announced as title sponsor for Newcastle Golf Club’s monthly competition.

– Newcastle Bowling Club re-elected its existing committee based on its stellar leadership thus far.

– Paruks Hardware Blood Buddy Newcastle to Memel Walk took place, with more than 1 500 entrants.

– The NSSL produced its fair share of drama, with Spartans crushing Sporting FC by four goals to one.

– The best tentpeggers in the province were crowned in Newcastle, featuring horseback athletes from across KZN.

– Gwyn Pine departed for Australia to take on the World Championships in cycling.

– Kilbarchan A took top position in the NKZN Golf League, after victory over Newcastle A.

September

– The Angling Professional League kicked off a new season, with Ladysmith AC joining the fold.

– The Morester Doubles Championships concluded at the St Dominic’s Academy courts.

– Eugene Hauptfleisch and Richard Clayton braved the chilly water of the Newcastle Swimming Pool as it opened on the first day of Spring.

– Stucky Motors hosted the first ever FootGolf Tournament, expected to grow in popularity.

– 16-year-old Aiden Grobler was selected for the national Bokkie team, ahead of a tour to Russia.

– Charles Kemp described karate as a path to fitness, discipline, and a stronger relationship with his son.

– Jamie Lee Steenkamp and Shaugne van der Watt both obtained their second Dan grading.

– National jukskei teams joined locals for a tournament in Newcastle.

– Gwyn Pine returned home with a silver medal from the World Championships in Australia.

– Newcastle’s Alice Howe won the Women’s title of the Champion of Champions in Ladysmith.

– 19-year-old Frikkie Hendriks was selected for the South African Platteland rugby team.

– Aqua Adrenaline hosted its awards ceremony.

– Newcastle Lions Golf Day played out in scorching heat on Heritage Day.

– Newcastle Mall hosted its annual 8km Rainbow Run, with a splash of coloured powder.

October

– The cricket season began with two leagues announced.

– The ABSA Morester sponsored IPS competition teed off at the Newcastle Golf Club.

– The Chinese Chamber of Commerce hosted an IPS competition at the Kilbarchan Golf Club.

– The first week of the cricket season got underway, with a number of matches at the weekend and midweek.

– Trevor Smale recorded a win at the Northern Zone Senior Singles playoffs for bowls.

– The Majuba Rotary golf competition took place at the Newcastle Golf Club, where players raised funds for charity. Suveer Mewa walked away as overall winner.

– The first night of the Bowls Business League kicked off, with a total of 42 teams entered.

– The Rapportryers hosted a betterball competition at the Newcastle Golf Club, to raise funds for three local schools.

– Curves and CANSA hosted the Pink Bra Fun Run to create awareness about breast cancer.

– The annual RFL (Relay for Life) concluded, and was hailed as a resounding success.

– Miss Newcastle, Courtney Smith, returned from the Amashova Durban Classic, sore but richer for the experience.

– 36 teams from across the KZNCB District competed in the annual Kings sponsored bowls day.

– Newcastle claimed the spoils in the opening match of the NKZN Inter-Town cricket tournament.

– Newcastle Sakekamer hosted a golf day at Newcastle Golf Club, smashing its R10K target.

November

– Newcastle Golf Club elected its 2017 committee, with George Meyer at the helm for another term.

– Newcastle Cougars Wrestling Club hosted the NKZN Regional Championships on home turf.

– Local pool aficionado, Heidi van der Nest, scooped the title of Female Singles Champion at the SAPS Interprovincial Blackball Championships in Port Elizabeth.

– Breakwaters Angling Club celebrated its 25th birthday with a formal function.

– Vlam Panelbeaters Motor and Outdoor Show took centre stage.

– The first worldwide aquathon took place in Newcastle.

– Three members of the local branch of JKA received training from a world-class Japanese instructor.

– 72 players joined the Methodist Church fundraiser at the Newcastle Bowling Club.

– Newcastle continued to impress, winning its league match against Vryheid for cricket.

– A large contingence of locals competed in the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg, impressing with their times.

December

– Phoenix booked its place in the final of the Spur Super Saturday league.

– Newcastle Futsal League wrapped up its season, where various prizes were awarded.

– Kings hosted its annual golf day at the Newcastle Golf Club, and many golfers walked away with incredible prizes.

– Newcastle cricketer, Hussain Essop, smashed 201 runs not out, to cement his name in the history books of sport.

– Peet van der Merwe was elected as President of the NKZN Rugby Sub Union for the fourth consecutive year.

– 12-year-old junior cricketer, Matthew Ponter, was recently selected to play in the KwaZulu-Natal inland cricket under-12 A team.

– Swimmers from the Newcastle Swimming Club held their own at the Short Course Gala held in Vryheid, and many were awarded medals.