Sharks' Mtembu credits Kearsney Rugby fest

The former Dale College pupil was a standout performer at the KZN rugby festival in 2008 and also became one of the first recipients of the Sharks Academy bursary – which is awarded to the most promising players at the tournament. Three players at this year’s festival will receive bursaries to the academy.

Reflecting back on his school days, Mtembu revealed that he almost didn’t play in the festival. At the time, the Dale 1^st XV coach had moved him from centre to eighthman which irked Mtembu – who was very keen on pursuing a career in cricket instead. But that all changed after he excelled at the tournament.

“My coach changed me from centre to number 8 and I wasn’t too stoked. He told me to try it out at the Kearsney Festival and if I didn’t like it he would move me back. So I went there, scored a few tries and it looked easy – I enjoyed it,” Mtembu recalled.

 

“It meant so much to me to be able to come to the Sharks and do what I love. It gave me the opportunity to kick start my life to where I am now,” Mtembu said.

 

The Kearsney festival celebrates its ninth anniversary up at Botha’s Hill with ten of the top rugby schools from around the country set to battle it out over the Easter weekend.

 

Maritzburg College and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap will feature for the first time while Dr EG Jansen; HTS Middelburg; Selborne College, Dale College, Hoërskool Framesby and SACS will compete alongside KZN regulars Glenwood High School and hosts Kearsney College.

 

With quality teams at the tournament, competition for a coveted Sharks Academy bursary will be high. While the opportunity is invaluable, Mtembu encouraged players to just focus on enjoying their rugby.

 

“Personally, I didn’t know about the bursary so we just went there and enjoyed ourselves and we reaped the rewards. Another thing is creating friendships. With nine other teams there, you get to meet new people. S’bura Sithole is one of my best friends now – and he is a guy who played in the tournament with me.”

 

“So it’s also about creating friendships and memories. You don’t want to put pressure on yourself focusing on winning prizes – just enjoy it and give it your best,” Mtembu stressed.

The festival runs from March 24 to 28 – with games being played on the Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

 

KERF FIXTURES 2016

 

Day 1        Thursday 24 March 2016

 

09h30 KZN U13 Provincial Development  vs Umhlali Prep

 

10h45 Kearsney College  vs  Hoërskool Noord-Kaap

 

12h00 HTS Middelburg  vs Selborne College 

 

13h15 Glenwood High School   vs  Dr E G Jansen

 

14h30  Maritzburg College  vs  Dale College

 

15h45 SACS  vs Hoërskool Framesby 

 

Day 2           Saturday 26 March 2016

 

08h30 KZN U13 Provincial Development   vs Pelham Senior Primary

 

09h30 Hoërskool Framesby   vs  Dale College

 

10h45 Glenwood High School  vs  HTS Middelburg

 

12h00 Kearsney College  vs SACS

 

13h15 Maritzburg College  vs  Selborne College

 

14h30 Dr E G Jansen vs  Hoërskool Noord-Kaap 

 

Day 3           Monday 28 March 2016

 

09h30 KZN U13 Provincial Development  vs  Highbury Prep

 

10h45 SACS vs  Selborne College

 

12h00 Hoërskool Framesby vs  Hoërskool Noord-Kaap  

 

13h15    Maritzburg College  vs  Dr E G Jansen

 

14h30 Glenwood High School vs  Dale College

 

15h45 Kearsney College vs  HTS Middelburg 

 

17h00 Awarding of Sharks Academy Bursaries

 

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Image Credit – Gallo Images