A STRONG line-up of 12 schools renowned for their rugby pedigree, will participate in the 10th edition of the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival next month.
This year’s line-up includes powerhouse teams from Glenwood High School, Monument from Krugersdorp, Boksburg’s Dr EG Jansen, HTS Middelburg and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley, as well as the strong Eastern Cape schools Selborne College (East London), Dale College (King William’s Town), Queen’s College (Queenstown) and Hoërskool Framesby (Port Elizabeth), together with hosts Kearsney College. Newcomers to the festival are Pretoria Boys High and HTS Drostdy from Worcester in the Boland.
Sharks CEO Gary Teichmann said the strength, success and reputation of the festival was evident from the calibre of schools participating each year.
“The best schoolboy players compete against each other over a few days in a festival that attracts top coaches, scouts and fans from across the country,” he said.
Talent scouts from The Sharks and Sharks Academy will be on the lookout for gifted players during the three play days, scheduled over the Easter weekend, Thursday, 13, Saturday, 15 and Monday, 17 April. Three bursaries, comprising a contract with The Sharks Academy and tuition bursary, will be awarded after the final match of the festival.
Whilst for many decades Easter rugby festivals were held in Gauteng at St John’s, St Stithians and KES, this festival at Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill has now become an important fixture on the calendars of supporters of outstanding schoolboy rugby. For the 10th year it will provide an exciting weekend of competitive, top class running rugby, bringing some of the country’s best rugby talent to the province.
The organisers have appealed to supporters to take new or good condition second-hand rugby kit and clothing to the festival, which can be left in designated collections bins on campus. Contributions to the ‘Boots and Balls’ outreach initiative, which was started two years ago, will be handed over to the KZN Rugby Union’s Development Programme during the closing ceremony. The items are sorted, repaired and distributed to development teams throughout the province.
Every effort is made to provide a family-friendly environment at the festival, offering entertainment for the very young to the seasoned enthusiast. There will be food outlets, a refreshment tent and fun KidZone for those wanting to enjoy a full day of entertaining rugby.
Gate entrance is R20 per person and ample parking will be available.
See www.kearsney.com for fixtures and festival information.
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