Local club continue to polish their diamonds

From humble beginnings in 2010 the Albemarle-based Diamond Athletics Club has grown in leaps and bounds.

The club was founded by husband and wife, John and Maria Diamond, who have always shared an interest and love for athletics.

Although they started the club in 2010, it wasn’t until 2017 that they were officially registered with Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA).

That was also the year in which they reached club status and found themselves with three clusters, one in Etwatwa in Benoni, another in Edenvale and the last one in Germiston, together assisting over 50 athletes.

Since inception the club’s athletes have shone at a number of different events and in a number of different disciplines, and this year has been no different.

ALSO READ: Local coach shines at awards ceremonies

Recently a number of the club’s members were selected to represent Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) at the Sedibeng Inter-Provincial Sub-Youth Championships in Sasolburg.

One of the highlights for the club at the championships was the performance of Steven Sabino who competed in the boys’ u-13 long jump.

“Sabino not only won the event with his 6.14m jump, but also broke the record (previously 6.05m) which had been standing since 2008,” said Maria proudly.

Other athletes competed in the following events:

• Caleb Abrahams competed in the boys’ u-7 60m and 80m sprints.

• Tiara Rocha competed in the girls’ u-7 80m sprints.

• Rafael Rocha competed in the boys’ u-9 600m sprints.

• Kaiden Herbst competed in the boys’ u-9 60m and 80m sprints.

• Levi Fick competed in the boys’ u-11 100m sprints.

• David Duromola competed in the boys’ u-11 80m sprints.

• Selena Rocha competed in the girls’ u-13 200m sprints.

• Omphile Rathebe competed in the boys’ u-13 200m sprints.

• Tyler Howard competed in the boys’ u-13 200m sprints, where he won a silver medal in a time of 24.74 seconds.

• Eugene de Lange competed in the boys’ u-13 high jump, where he won a bronze medal when he cleared a height of 1.65m.

• Michael Gundidza competed in the boys’ u-15 long jump, where he placed fifth with a personal best distance of 6.50m.

• Charnise Jansen van Vuuren competed in the girls’ u-15 300m hurdles and 200m sprints, she placed eighth and sixth in the respective events.

ALSO READ: Diamond Athletics Club goes for gold

“We are very proud of our athletes and their performances,” said John.

The club’s celebrations did not stop there as a number of their athletes were also selected, following their performances at the OR Tambo Soncini Social Cohesion Games, to travel to Italy next year.

“Kamohelo Tsotetsi, Gundidza, Angel Ndlovu, Liam Naicker, Jansen van Vuuren and Keanu van Loggenberg were all selected to travel overseas next year,” explained John.

“Grancina Goosen will be their team manager.”

When reflecting on the year that has been, John and Maria are thrilled with how far the club has come.

“Our club has grown in leaps in bounds,” said John.

“It really has been a bumper year of awards and achievements, but the crown jewel for us is that our children are doing well.

“Two of our athletes have even received scholarships to local universities.”

Maria agreed and added, “I am so happy with our athletes’ performances.”

Moving into the new year the club is looking for sponsorships, so that they can continue to help their athletes reach their dreams.

For more details on the club or to sponsor the club call John on 062 039 9309.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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