A Talent Factory Transforming South African Athletics Learners on Track to Greatness!
Curro Podium South- pushing boundaries, achieving excellence over the past weekend.
What happens when you bring together 1,400 of the country’s most promising young athletes, several national champions, multiple African title holders, and record-breaking jumpers? You get Curro Podium South – and proof that South African athletics has never looked brighter.
This weekend marked a milestone as Curro Podium hosted its first southern primary school athletics meeting. Yesterday, they raised the bar even higher – the high school edition was confirmed as the largest scholastic athletics meeting ever held in the Western Cape region, 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.”
This year’s primary school edition gave budding athletes aged between 7 and 13 years old the chance to be inspired and jumpstart a lifelong love for athletics. Like its high school counterpart, the event offered them the opportunity to shine in various track and field events while competing for individual and team honours.
The Curro Podium South primary schools achieved impressive results, with Durbanville Primary School, Gene Louw Primary School, and Courtrai Primary School leading the way.
Outstanding individual achievements went to:
- Best Boy Field: Stefan Strydom – NAPSO
- Best Girl Field: Laliq Adams – Individual athlete
- Best Boy Track: Martus Schoeman – Durbanville Primary School
- Best Girl Track: Lisa Krige – Durbanville Primary School
Star-studded field delivers at Podium
Some of the country’s best young athletes turned on the style, with several national and continental champions producing memorable performances.
Jayden Fourie (Hoërskool Outeniqua) came agonisingly close to rewriting the record books. The U17 long jump sensation and one to watch jumped 7.62m today – falling just 2cm short of his personal best. The versatile athlete also impressed in the U17 100m, clocking 10.53s in his heat and setting the tone for what promises to be a blockbuster Grand Finale appearance. “I’m coming for that 8-metre mark,” Fourie declared after his jump.
Michaela Spocter (Meridian Pinehurst) came close to matching her personal best and Podium record of 1.81m. The U17 high jump star and South African Championships silver medallist showed her class once again, winning today’s competition with a clearance of 1.75m.
Mila Ueckermann (Hoërskool Stellenbosch) isn’t resting on her laurels. The African champion hurled 53.76m today – eclipsing the 52.99m throw that earned her continental gold in Nigeria. The 17-year-old discus star is rapidly cementing her status as one of South Africa’s brightest field prospects.
Miche van Staden (Curro Durbanville) brought championship form to the track, fresh from claiming bronze in the 200m at the ASA Schools National Championships. The U17 sprint star secured a brilliant double at Podium, clocking 12.51s in the 100m and 25.28s in the 200m.
The Podium effect
The Curro Podium Athletics series has evolved into one of the largest high school athletics events in South Africa. Northern and Southern regional trials culminate in a Grand Finale 13 & 14 February 2026 at Pilditch Stadium, Tshwane, following this weekend’s conclusion of the Northern regional meeting.
“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 has become a highlight on school calendars across the country.”
Success came down to team depth and smart strategy, as athletes battled it out in boys’, girls’, and combined categories spanning U15 to U19 age groups.
Team awards
- Best Boys’ Team: 1st Paarl Gimnasium | 2nd Hoërskool Outeniqua | 3rd Paarl Boys’ High School
- Best Girls’ Team: 1st Paarl Girls’ High School | 2nd La Rochelle Girls’ High School | 3rd, Hoërskool Stellenbosch
- Best Combined Team: 1st Hoërskool Outeniqua| 2nd Paarl Gimnasium | 3rd Hoërskool Stellenbosch | 4th Hoërskool Durbanville| 5th Hoërskool Stellenberg
The day also belonged to individual stars who delivered breakthrough performances.
Individual awards
- Junior Track Athlete (Male): Jeno Jacobs, Paarl Boys’ High School,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 School, 916 ASA points
- Senior Field Athlete (Male): Jayden Fourie, Hoërskool Outeniqua,1000 ASA points
- Senior Field Athlete (Female): Mila Euckermann, 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.
