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SA Athletics Learners. Curro: A Talent Factory Transforming South African Athletics.
Learners on Track to Greatness. What happens when you bring together 1,400 of South Africa’s most promising young athletes, including national champions, African title holders, and record-breaking jumpers? You get Curro Podium South—a showcase of raw talent and proof that the future of South African athletics has never looked brighter.
This weekend marked a major milestone as Curro Podium hosted its inaugural southern primary school athletics meet. Just a day later, the high school edition shattered records, becoming the largest scholastic athletics event ever held in the Western Cape, drawing competitors from across the province to Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium in Paarl.
“Curro’s difference lies in balance,” says Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager for Curro Sport. “We’ve created an environment where academics and sport push each other to greater heights. Events like Curro Podium showcase this philosophy in action—giving young athletes a platform to compete at the highest school level. Our goal is not merely learners, but well-rounded individuals who excel across every aspect of their potential.”
Primary School Edition: Building the Foundation
This year’s primary school meet gave budding athletes aged 7 to 13 a chance to ignite their passion for athletics. Like its high school counterpart, the event offered a full slate of track and field competitions, with individual and team honours up for grabs.
Top-performing schools included Durbanville Primary, Gene Louw Primary, and Courtrai Primary, while standout individual performances were recognized as follows:
- 🥇 Best Boy Field: Stefan Strydom – NAPSO
- 🥇 Best Girl Field: Laliq Adams – Individual athlete
- 🥇 Best Boy Track: Martus Schoeman – Durbanville Primary
- 🥇 Best Girl Track: Lisa Krige – Durbanville Primary
Star-Studded High School Field Delivers
Some of the country’s brightest young stars lit up the track and field, with national and continental champions delivering standout performances:
- Jayden Fourie (Hoërskool Outeniqua) nearly rewrote the record books with a 7.62m long jump, just 2cm shy of his personal best. He also clocked 10.53s in the U17 100m heat, setting the stage for a thrilling Grand Finale.“I’m coming for that 8-metre mark,” Fourie declared.
- Michaela Spocter (Meridian Pinehurst), the U17 high jump silver medallist, cleared 1.75m, just shy of her personal best and Podium record of 1.81m.
- Mila Ueckermann (Hoërskool Stellenbosch), African discus champion, threw 53.76m, surpassing her gold-medal mark from Nigeria.
- Miche van Staden (Curro Durbanville), fresh off a national bronze in the 200m, claimed a sprint double with times of 12.51s (100m) and 25.28s (200m).
The Podium Effect: A National Platform for Excellence
The Curro Podium Athletics Series has grown into one of South Africa’s premier school athletics events. Regional trials in the north and south culminate in the Grand Finale on 13–14 February 2026 at Pilditch Stadium, Tshwane.
“Podium reflects our broader philosophy: create opportunities that extend far beyond our own learners,” says van der Merwe. “Age-group competitions, regional trials, and a Grand Finale provide a platform for talent nationwide. It’s become a highlight on school calendars across the country.”
Athletes competed across U15 to U19 categories, with team depth and strategic planning proving decisive.
🏆 Team Awards
- Best Boys’ Team: 1st Paarl Gimnasium | 2nd Hoërskool Outeniqua | 3rd Paarl Boys’ High
- Best Girls’ Team: 1st Paarl Girls’ High | 2nd La Rochelle Girls’ High | 3rd Hoërskool Stellenbosch
- Best Combined Team: 1st Hoërskool Outeniqua 2nd Paarl Gimnasium 3rd Hoërskool Stellenbosch 4th Hoërskool Durbanville 5th Hoërskool Stellenberg
🌟 Individual Awards
- Junior Track Athlete (Male): Jeno Jacobs, Paarl Boys’ High – 931 ASA points
- Junior Track Athlete (Female): Liesa Kruger, Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool – 952 ASA points
- Junior Field Athlete (Male): Ethan Bernado, Individual – 966 ASA points
- Junior Field Athlete (Female): Cara-Mia Nel, Paarl Gimnasium – 956 ASA points
- Senior Track Athlete (Male): Jaydon Fourie, Hoërskool Outeniqua – 934 ASA points
- Senior Track Athlete (Female): Cubin Martinussen, La Rochelle Girls’ High – 916 ASA points
- Senior Field Athlete (Male): Jayden Fourie, Hoërskool Outeniqua – 1000 ASA points
- Senior Field Athlete (Female): Mila Ueckermann, Hoërskool Stellenbosch – 1000 ASA points
“Every record broken, every personal best achieved, every young athlete pushing beyond their limits—this is why we do what we do. South Africa’s sporting future is bright, and it starts right here,” concludes van der Merwe.
Read more school news here: https://schoolsthatrock.co.za/
Photo credit: Gerrit van der Linde
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