The development of soccer at grassroots level has received a healthy boost with the announcement that 28 school teams will be participating in the inaugural Kearsney Soccer Tournament next month (July).
Almost 500 enthusiastic and talented soccer players from around the country are headed to Botha’s Hill during their school holidays, with boys and girls from high schools and primary schools taking part in the three-day event.
Following the success of its annual Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, now going into its 15th year, headmaster Patrick Lees said Kearsney College was proud to launch this unique tournament and to support the development of soccer amongst girls and boys in South Africa.
Twelve teams from boys’ high schools, nine from girls’ high schools and eight primary schools’ teams will gather to showcase their skills and enjoy the fun and competition of this new tournament, taking place from 14-16 July.
The senior boys’ teams which will participate are Durban High School and Clifton College (both Durban), Maqhutshane Secondary and Siyajabula High (both KwaNyuswa), Curro Grantleigh (Richards Bay), Ashton Ballito, Port Shepstone High, Paul Roos (Stellenbosch), Urban Academy (Gqeberha), Tuks Sport High School (Pretoria), Lebone ll College (Rustenburg) and hosts Kearsney College.
The teams from girls’ high schools are Durban Girls High, Danville Park Girls and SAFA eThekwini (all Durban), Ashton Ballito, Curro Hilcrest, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), Edendale Technical High (Pietermaritzburg), St Anne’s Diocesan College (Hilton) and Lebone ll College (Rustenburg).
They will be joined by seven local primary school teams from Hillcrest Primary, Kloof Senior Primary, Highbury, Atholl Heights, John Wesley, Ashton Ballito and Merchiston.
Announcing the tournament, Lees said he had no doubt that matches would be fiercely contested, but played in a great spirit of true sportsmanship.
“Playing in these matches allows young sportspeople the opportunity to meet and interact with many new friends. Memories and friendships will be forged that will stand the test of time in the years ahead – be it during the players’ school years, tertiary or adult lives.”
He said Kearsney was extremely proud to be a catalyst in ensuring the development and growth of soccer at schoolboy level in this country.
Games will be live streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. Fixtures, team lists and results will be on the Kearsney Events App, which is available on Google Play and iStore.
Sports report compiled by Sue Miles at Working Words.
