Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival 2014

Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival 2014

Now in its seventh year, the 2014 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is certain to attract capacity crowds following the announcement that the event has again attracted many of SA’s top rugby-playing schools.

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All 12 participating schools are renowned for their rugby pedigree and were widely regarded as being amongst the top teams in the country at the end of last season.  Their participation reinforces the prestigious status of the Kearsney College festival.

Speaking at this week’s (Tues 11) launch of the 2014 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Kearsney headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg said the festival had grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2008.

This year participating teams are Grey College (Bloemfontein), Affies (Pretoria), Monument (Krugersdorp), EG Jansen (Boksburg), HTS Middelburg (Middelburg), Framesby High (Port Elizabeth), Nico Malan (Humansdorp), Selborne College (East London), Dale College (King William’s Town), with Glenwood, Westville and Kearsney College from host province KZN.

Six fixtures will be held on each of the three play days and the festival is sure to provide exciting, highly entertaining play. 

The Sharks CEO John Smit said they were proud of their association with the festival which, since its inception, has been “a phenomenal success” and attracted the top rugby-playing schools from around the country.

“This event gives youngsters an ideal platform to display their talent and ability; and, who knows, they could be scouted to play at a higher level,” he said.

Talent scouts from The Sharks and Sharks Academy would be watching during the three play days, scheduled over the Easter weekend for Thursday 17, Saturday 19 and Monday 21 April.  Some of SA’s finest rugby talent will be on display at Kearsney over the festival and the event provides opportunities for youngsters to be noticed and advance their rugby careers at provincial and national level.

Etienne Fynn, CEO of the Sharks Academy, said the partnership between the Academy and Kearsney’s prestigious festival continued to be one of mutual growth and success.  Well over 100 players identified at Kearsney festivals since 2008 had joined the Sharks family; and the calibre of both individual and team play throughout the years had brought great pleasure to all observers, he said.

The Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2015 to three selected players.  Backed by The Sharks, arguably the most professional rugby union in SA, the bursaries will include a contract with the Sharks Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its reputable education partners.

Van den Aardweg acknowledged the festival sponsors, whose valued support has enabled the festival to grow remarkably over the years.  Standard Bank, which last year became headline sponsor in a four-year agreement, were thanked for their incredible support.  The Sharks and Sharks Academy have supported the Kearsney festival since its inception, whilst Illovo Sugar South Africa Limited remained a valued sponsor, together with Nashua Durban and several other partners and companies, he said.

Darrell de Wet, marketing and communications manager at Illovo Sugar, said the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival had proved not only to be a forum for rugby, but also to be an environment for learners to explore possible future career paths.

“Illovo Sugar’s support and involvement in the festival is testament to its belief that investing in the youth of South Africa, to develop leadership, discipline and talent, is fundamental to building a better future for the country,” he said.

Nashua Durban managing director Martin Pretorius said an event of this magnitude enabled youngsters from across SA to showcase their skills, allowed them to play in front of large crowds and experience a wonderful festival atmosphere.   “We are proud to be part of the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival culture and will strive to keep supporting this prestigious sporting event,” he said.

Festival director Taff Green said he was delighted to welcome back Selborne College, who has played in every one of the Kearsney festivals since inception.  EG Jansen has played in six Kearsney festivals and Grey College, Glenwood and Dale College have each participated in five.

A match between three primary school teams and the KZN u13 Provincial Development team, invited to showcase their skills and to enjoy the opportunity of playing in front of large crowds, will kick off each day’s action. 

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

GAUTENG

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Pretoria

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, Boksburg

Hoërskool Monument, Krugersdorp

HTS Middelburg, Middelburg

FREE STATE

Grey College, Bloemfontein

EASTERN PROVINCE

Dale College, King Williams Town

Hoërskool Framesby, Port Elizabeth

Hoërskool Nico Malan, Humansdorp

Selborne College, East London

KWAZULU-NATAL

Glenwood High School

Kearsney College

Westville Boys’ High

NUMBER OF KEARSNEY EASTER RUGBY FESTIVALS PARTICIPATED IN

 

NO. PLAYED

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Affies

3

Yes

 

Yes

 

 

 

Yes

Dale College

5

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

EG Jansen

6

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Grey Bloem

5

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Glenwood

5

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Framesby

2

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Monument

4

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

Nico Malan

4

Yes

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

 

 

Middelburg

3

Yes

 

 

 

 

Yes

Yes

KC

7

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Selborne College

7

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Westville

3

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

2014 FIXTURES

Day 1 Thursday 17 April

 

 

 

 

09h30

Kearsney College

vs

 HTS Middleburg

10h45

Framesby

vs

Monument   

12h00 

Westville

vs

Nico Malan   

13h15

Selborne  College

vs

Affies  

14h30     

Glenwood High School

vs

Dale College 

15h45

Grey College 

vs

Dr E G Jansen

               

                 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 Saturday 19 April

 

 

 

 

09h30

Selborne College

vs

Framesby

10h45

HTS Middleburg

vs

Nico Malan

12h00 

Kearsney College

vs

Dale College

13h15

Glenwood High School

vs

Dr E G Jansen

14h30      

Grey College

vs

Westville

15h45

Affies

vs

Monument

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 3 Monday 21 April

 

 

 

 

09h30

Nico Malan

vs

Dale College

10h45

Glenwood High School

vs

Framesby

12h00 

Westville Boys High

vs

Selborne College

13h15

Affies

vs

HTS Middleburg

14h30       

Grey College

vs

Monument

15h45

Kearsney College

vs

Dr E G Jansen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17h00        Awarding of Sharks Academy Bursaries

 

 

PLAY DAYS OVER EASTER WEEKEND

 

Day 1: Thursday, 17 April                              

Day 2:  Saturday, 19 April

Day 3:  Monday, 21 April

FESTIVAL SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Headline sponsor                             Standard Bank

1st tier sponsors                                Illovo Sugar South Africa Limited

Sharks Academy, endorsed by The Sharks & KZN Rugby Union

                                                                Nashua Durban

Medical partners                              ER24 and Life Healthcare Group

Refreshment Marquee                 SAB

(File photo:Gallo Images)

- ECRSportswave - Sue Miles

-Twitter - @ECRSportswave

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