Benoni’s sporting heartbeat is 50 years old.
From inspiring Frith van der Merwe to aspire for greatness to producing sports stars who, each year, grind for the country at world championships, the Benoni Northerns Sports Club (BNSC) has kept Benoni alive with sport and entertainment since its inception.
The club, defined by a balance between sporting excellence and the spirit of community, is the pulse of Benoni. It’s the blood vessel that’s kept sport alive in the community – ensuring that children grow up in a healthy environment.
Humble beginnings
Established in 1972 through the amalgamation of the St Patrick’s Cricket Club and Benoni Hockey Club, it has continued to inspire different generations of Benonians to shatter the glass ceiling.
After the development of Northmead and Rynfield north of the CBD by the Benoni Town Council, the suburbs were allocated an area named Albert Bekker Park, which was later renamed Benoni Northerns Sports Fields, for the development of sporting facilities.
Following the merger, the Benoni Northerns Sports Club was officially born. The club’s badge and colours resemble those of Essex Cricket Club in the UK – albeit the scimitars on the badge were turned into the strike mode.
Growth since 1972
Greats like Ted Jarvis, Manny Ferreirinho and Dennis Lindsay among others played a big role in guiding the BNSC to where it is today.
The club has grown massively since 1972. It today boasts nine sub-sections with hundreds of members. It has produced sporting greats, some of whom have gone on to shine on the biggest stages in the country.
It was Frith van der Merwe who ensured the BNSC will forever be linked to the Comrades Marathon. Striding from the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg to Durban to smash the Comrades down run record in 1989, she ensured the red and yellow colours of the club become a welcome sight at the event every year.
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Over the years, the club has given many Benonians opportunities to achieve their goals.
“The platform I’ve been given by the BNSC to serve my community and be actively involved in the lives of youngsters is a responsibility I cherish,” said Joline Smit.
Clifford White from the baseball section has lauded the club for uniting the community.
“Fifty years is a good achievement. In Benoni, we are close-knit and the entire community is wrapped around BNSC. This keeps the community active and entertained. In the next 50 years, it will be the club in the country,” he said.
Magda Blignaut has commended the club for its positive impact on the people of Benoni and the camaraderie among all members.
“There’s great support from the main club and from all the other sub-sections. We hope to walk with them for many years.”
We, at Benoni City Times, send well wishes to the club on reaching this milestone. We say thank you for walking with us in making Benoni a great city. Continue pumping blood into the heart of this city by producing youngsters who will be great ambassadors of Benoni.
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