The 19th Anne Beagley Junior Rugby and Hockey Festival in Graaff Reinet took place recently at Union High School.
Guest schools, accompanied by their coaches, parents and supporters, descended on the Union sports grounds to showcase their skills in a fun-filled and highly contested three days of sport.
At the Friday evening’s cocktail event, Mr William Pringle, Headmaster of Union High, welcomed and thanked all the coaches and staff of visiting schools for giving up their holiday time to attend this very popular festival.
Mr Pringle also took the opportunity to thank the sponsors: College Motors Caltex Graaff-Reinet and Fresh Stop, Hyundai Graaff-Reinet, SupaQuick, the Desert Springs Spur, Pick ‘n Pay, Merino Pharmacy and Mica Graaff-Reinet for their contribution in making this sports festival possible.
Caltex and College Motors were the main sponsors of the event, and Clive Berlyn, CEO of Caltex Eastern Cape Marketers, and himself a proud Old Unionite, also spoke at the function.
He paid special tribute to the sports coaches, managers, umpires, referees, teachers and parents, whose commitment paved the way for the youngsters to understand the importance of teamwork, dedication, determination and dealing with adversity in achieving their goals.
These attributes and attitudes learned and applied in the good times and the bad, are ones that learners can develop and benefit from through the opportunity to play sport at any level.
Mr Berlyn also reflected on the values developed by the players, and the balance between the competitive spirit to win, and the pride in taking part and doing one’s best. Both of these attributes will help students to achieve their highest potential in other areas, as well as further on in life when they enter adulthood and the working world.
He concluded by paying a special tribute to Pierre le Grange, Stephan de Souza, Joggie Vorster and the College Motors team for their commitment and support of this event, and also of the schools and community at large.
On the rugby field, Union High managed two wins and a loss.
On Saturday Union High started well, beating St Patrick’s College 32 – 5. On Sunday the Union High team lost their only game, only scoring 5 points against Gonubie Primary School’s 15 points. Monday saw Union High beating Komga Primary school by 50 points to 5.
On the hockey side on Saturday, the Union High team had mixed fortunes. They beat Komga Primary by 4 goals to 1 in their first game, but lost against De Hoop Primary, who scored 2 goals when Union failed to score. The Union High Invitation Team lost both of their games: 0 – 1 to Lilyfontein Primary and Clarendon Park Primary beat the Invitation Team 6 – 1.
Sunday again saw two games for each team. Union High beat Victoria Park Primary 1 – 0, but the score was reversed when they lost 1 – 0 against Stirling Primary. The Invitation Team lost both their games, without managing to score: 6 – 0 against Westering Primary, and 1 – 0 against Gonubie Primary.
The final games were played on Monday with Union High drawing 1 – 1 with Erica Primary.
All the games in both codes were played in great spirit, and the players gave their all.
Thanks to Union High’s grounds staff, the fields were in perfect condition, adorned with the colourful sponsors’ banners, and the spectators enjoyed three wonderful days of games, played in the best sporting tradition.
Photo on top: A great 50 – 5 win for Union High School’s U/13 team in their final game at the junior festival against Komga Primary.