Harlequins honours Pierre Edwards
The outgoing headmaster of Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, Dr. Pierre Edwards, was recently honoured by the Harlequins Club for his sporting achievements as well as his contribution to the development of sport and the careers of young sportsmen in Pretoria.
The Harlequins sports club in Pretoria recently hosted a special luncheon to honour former Springbok fullback and legendary principal of the Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool Pretoria (Affies), doctor Pierre Edwards.
Edwards retired at the end of 2018 as principal of Affies, after an engagement of 45 years with this well-known school. He spent his high school career there, while joining Affies as a young teacher in 1979 after his studies at Tukkies and his military service.
Since then, Edwards served his entire professional career as a teacher, deputy principal and over the past 26 years as principal, at this famous school.
Edwards also had a long relationship with the Harlequins club. This commitment extends from humble beginnings as a member of the Harlequin Cricket Nursery as a schoolboy in 1969/70, to playing for the first team of the rugby club from 1980 to 1984. During this period Harlequins were crowned the National Club Champions
Edwards was also being awarded 89 caps for Northern Transvaal between 1977 and 1984 and he received Springbok Colours in 1980 when he represented his country in two tests at fullback against a combined team from South America.
Photo: Supplied
A fact that is not widely known is that Edwards’s wife, Arayna, was an outstanding hockey player and that she was also a star in the colours of the Harlequins club.
During her years as a member of Harlequins, Arayna Edwards also obtained her Springbok colours as a hockey player. This unique husband and wife double, earning national colours as players, has never before – nor since – been achieved in the rich 115 years history of the club.
According to Harlequins, the club believes Edwards’ engagement as teacher and sports coach, as well as his leadership as principal at Affies over the past 26 years, is as such also a remarkable sporting achievement as the school is considered as one South Africa’s top performers on the sports field.
“Affies’ sports achievements and the school’s exceptional standards in this regard are also a result of Edwards’ outstanding leadership and therefore it can truly be recorded that Dr. Pierre Edwards has been a legend in his own lifetime,” said one of the club’s senior committee members.
An exceptional Harlequin Pretoria Honours Tie was presented to Dr. Edwards at the club during the special luncheon.
“We trust you will wear this tie with the same pride of association that has been the hallmark of your distinguished life,” said Jacot Guillarmod, president of the club, during the presentation.
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