What started as a first for the Parys Wetland Park with athletes lined up for the cross country development leagues held earlier this year, paved the way for some of these athletes for participation at the National Cross Country Championships, held in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
The Fezile Dabi Cross Country Development Leagues, presented by Schonkenville Intermediate School, in collaboration with Fezile Dabi Cross Country and Parys Multisport, provided an opportunity for these new athletes to gain experience and access to the bigger leagues that took place from May to July at Koedoeslaagte.

Athletes who were selected for the district team participated in the provincial championships in Bloemfontein during August, and eventually eight of these athletes who started their Cross Country season in the Parys Wetland Park, made their way to the top, representing the Free State at the national championship.

These athletes include Jessie Joubert (Parys Primary School), Anlé Beukes (Parys Primary School), Kylie Rootman (Parys Primary School), Bernard Theunissen (Parys Primary School), Lebohang Mokoetli (Ntswephepa Primary School), Zunaid Mc Cloen (Schonkenville Intermediate School), Dylon van Schalkwyk (Schonkenville Intermediate School), and Innocent Mofokeng (Parys Multisport).

“The Fezile Dabi Development league was successful in bridging the gap for new and upcoming athletes to enter the main competition arena. We look forward to hosting this event again in 2026”, says Pierre Fourie, club chairperson of Parys Multisport, and organiser of the Fezile Dabi Cross Country.
A total of 101 athletes participated in this year’s very successful Fezile Dabi development league that was held.