The year was 1975, meet Ted Jarvis

Benoni resident Ted Jarvis (76) is well known within the community due to the work he has put in at Benoni Northerns Sports Club.

He attended Parktown Boys’ High in Johannesburg and relocated to Benoni in 1975.

“I played hockey and cricket at school,” he explained. “I chose hockey as I had previously played football and they are not dissimilar in terms of formation, positions, off-sides, number of players, with scoring goals being the objective.

“There was no football at Parktown only rugby or hockey, so I chose hockey and cricket because my family all played at the time.”

His favourite sport was no doubt hockey.

“I was fortunate to have played premier league hockey for 17 years, for Southern Transvaal and Transvaal,” Jarvis said.

“Through hockey I have made everlasting friendships and been fortunate enough to have participated in many tournaments, the highlight being part of one of the very first masters hockey teams to tour the UK in 1992 when the moratorium was lifted.

“I will forever be indebted to the game for the opportunity and joy it has given me.”
Jarvis joined Northerns in 1976.

“I joined as a hockey member and captained the first team,” he explained.

“My team consisted of very talented young players, and those guys went on to establish the footprint of Northerns as a force in South African hockey.”

In 1977, Jarvis was elected chairperson of the club and served for three years.

Constitutionally, no chairperson could serve more than three years, but Northerns constitutionally created the position of club president in 1982 and Jarvis was duly elected, a role he served in from 1987 to 1989.

“I made sure good governance was practised, the regulations per the club’s constitution were upheld, coupled with sound financial management and, of course, whenever required, offered support and counsel to the chairperson and the executive teams of the main club and the subsections,” he said.

“I cannot claim credit for anything specific other than being part of a team of people who established the athletics section, mini-hockey, junior football, cricket sections and junior cricket clinics.”

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Legends

Jarvis believes the real credit belongs to extraordinary visionaries like Twis Dudley, Dave Wilson, John Hawkins, Manny Ferreirinho, John Drennan, Dennis Barret, Keith Smith, Bob Forster, Pauline Fellows, Riaan van Wyk, Denis Lindsay, Ray van der Wagen, Peter Walker, Pat Conway, Craig Wittstock, and many others.

“There are just too many to mention,” he said.

“They are the legends and worthy of mention, and I do so with great admiration and affection.

“To me, these people are the real heroes – the legends who established the values, the ethos and the traditions on which this great club is now based.”

What Jarvis found most rewarding in his time as president was the joint partnership he established with the then Benoni Town Council, resulting from endless meetings and negotiations.

He was also most proud in 2015 when Eastern’s hockey opened Astro hockey at Benoni Northerns.

“It was finally a dream come true,” he said.

“We celebrated with a hockey reunion which was attended by over 200 players.

“Former members joined us from Australia, Dubai, Kuwait, the USA and all over South Africa.

“The result was a three-day-long party.”

Retire

“I remain on the executive committee to this day,” Jarvis said. “Apart from a four-year break due to business commitments overseas, I have been on the executive committee for about 40 years.

“I guess it is time to retire, but it would be with difficulty as it is part of my life and still my passion.

“The youngsters are kind enough to indulge me.”

Jarvis stepped down as president because he believed the club needed someone younger – the ideal candidate, in his opinion, is Craig Wittstock.

Achievements

Another noteworthy achievement is that Jarvis was elected to the executive committee of the SA Men’s Hockey Association in 1982 and served a term of eight years.

“During this time, I managed the South Men’s u-21 team (junior Boks) for four years,” he said.

“Included in this time were several tournaments and internationals.”

He also became a selector.

“I was very proud to be elected to such a prestigious position and with it came recognition for Northerns at national level.”

And, had a hockey field named after him at Northerns.

“This also has to be one of the highlights of my career at Northerns.”

The number one was given to Jarvis as his club membership number.

“The numbers one to 30 are reserved for life members of the club.”

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His fondest memories include:

“The weekend of the National Master Hockey Tournament at Northerns in 1992,” he said. “My mate and I spent the weekend at Northerns as ‘security guards’ every night.

“We occupied and ‘slept’ in a caravan parked on the field in front of the clubhouse. I have never been so cold in my life, but to be fair the bar never really closed so we never really slept much either.

“I must be one of the few members to have stayed at Northerns for three consecutive days, 24/7.”

Jarvis also recalled a clandestine meeting, which was held at the Holiday Inn, with the Benoni Cricket Club.

Tough decisions

The meeting was in aid of negotiating their amalgamation with Benoni Northerns.

“Arguing over a proposed new name, colours, subs, office bearers, constitutions, grounds, number of teams, selection committee and other matters, all highly secretive stuff,” he said.

“This was a defining turning point in the history of cricket at Northerns.

“I also recall a meeting in 1980 held in the ladies cocktail bar, setting out the plans to start an athletics section – another defining evening in the history of the club.”

Jarvis feels he is indebted to the club and its members for the friendship and support they have given him, his wife, Mandy, and his family over the years.

“There have been some tough years when we thought we were not going to make it,” he explained.

“We had to make some tough and unpopular decisions then. Similar challenges face us now with the effects of Covid-19.

“I am confident Northerns will survive and continue to grow in the future. The club is blessed with a crop of capable leaders at executive level, all fuelled with a passion for Northerns and the courage to make the necessary decisions to ensure sustainability as a club.

“The one negative trend, regrettably, is a lack of support by the council in recent years.

“Our club attracts, I would suggest, 100 000 visitors per year – the annual Toy Run brings 10 000 visitors alone.

“The roads are pitted with potholes and the fence is falling over and full of holes, the entrance to the club is dangerous due to traffic and we have since 1994 requested a traffic light here.

“The Ekurhuleni metro needs to acknowledge that Northerns promotes Benoni and reflects the image of our town.

“In my role as an elected SRAC representative on the Ward 27 committee, I have been reporting these issues for eight years, regrettably with little success.

“The club belongs to the community for the community and fulfils its social responsibility with diligence.”