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Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. In an exciting development, the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) will have 28 teams participating in this year’s 16th edition. Attending the festival, will be 12 boys’ high school sides, 12 primary school teams. For the first time, a girls’ high school division.
The line-up of competitive teams from across South Africa was confirmed yesterday, 18 February. It will also include a strong Zimbabwean team.
Durban High School, Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood and hosts Kearsney College will represent KwaZulu-Natal in the senior boys’ division. A touring team from Peterhouse Boys’ School in Zimbabwe confirmed to demonstrate their special brand of rugby.
They will be joined by the perennial powerhouse teams from Gauteng. They are Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen (Boksburg) and Hoërskool Monument (Krugersdorp). The exciting Eastern Cape teams are Hoërskool Framesby (Gqeberha) and Dale College (Qonce). From North West, Hoërskool Rustenburg will join the festival. Newcomers at this year’s festival are Hoërskool Durbanville and Milnerton High School from the Western Cape. They will add another dimension to the action.
The three play days over the Easter weekend are Thursday 17th, Saturday 19th and Monday 21st April.
John Plumtree
John Plumtree, head coach of the Sharks, said boys who were chosen to represent their schools at the festival should realise that talent alone wasn’t enough for them to succeed in rugby.
“It takes an enormous amount of discipline, hard work and effort once these boys leave school, if they want to take their rugby further.”
He said KERF provides an opportunity for players to enjoy the incredible experience and fun of playing in a major festival. It also provides the opportunity to be noticed and to advance their rugby careers.
He said the growth of the festival, which will include three divisions for the first time, highlighted its invaluable role in the development of the country’s school rugby culture and growth since the inaugural festival in 2008.
He acknowledged the immense contribution of festival sponsors, whose invaluable support has assisted the event to grow each year.
Kuben Chetty, head of Standard Bank’s Commercial Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, said the bank was honoured to again partner with Kearsney and its long-running festival. “We believe that sports and education are pivotal in cultivating well-rounded individuals, fostering healthy competition, and encouraging teamwork for a prosperous future”, he said.
Team sports are great platforms
Halfway Ford Waterfall has also remained a major festival sponsor. Chilton Penery, chief operating officer of Halfway Group’s Auto Division, said they were privileged to again be associated with KERF. “Team sports are great platforms to mould our youth and provide a deeper purpose in life”.
Bringing a new dimension to this year’s festival, four U16 girls’ teams will play during lunchtime slots. They are Adams College from Amanzimtoti, Mowat Park in Montclair, George Campbell School of Technology in Durban, and Richards Bay High School.
Twelve primary school teams will also enjoy the excitement and challenges of playing on a full-sized field in front of large crowds.
Joining Harare Lions, a junior Zimbabwean club team, will be local teams. They are Chelsea Prep, Glenwood Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Highbury, Kloof Senior Primary, Penzance Primary, Umhlali Prep, Westville Senior Primary and Winston Park. The uThukela team from Bergville and KZN Ibutho Development side will also be participating.
There will be a fun KidZone for the little ones as well as ample parking. Furthermore there will also be numerous food outlets. A refreshment tent will ensure spectators can fully enjoy the weekend’s sporting entertainment.
For those unable to attend the festival, games will be live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. Additional festival information, results, match reports and action photographs will be available on www.kearsney.com during the festival.
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https://www.kearsney.com/college/
Photo supplied
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