Breaststrokes for charity

Swimmers are readying themselves to freestyle for a good cause.

Parktown Boys High School’s swimming team will host a co-ed gala which will see a portion of the proceeds go to a charity called Guild Cottage, an organisation that gives remedial programmes to sexually abused children. The co-ed gala will take place on 3 February.

Swimming team coach, Jarred de Jonge said that at the moment the team is prepping for the season to come, which will begin on 25 January. Their mission this season will be to better their standing from the previous year. “Hopefully by the time we get to inter-high competitions we will be ready to take on anything,” said De Jonge

He said that last year the team did not do as well as they could but aimed to do the best they could this year. “Even if we go one position up, it will be our achievement for the year.”

The upcoming co-ed gala was a hotly anticipated event some years back which schools looked forward to annually. Greenside High used to host this gala and the last one was held about 10 years ago.

De Jonge explained that he felt compelled to bring back this tradition as it was a way for swimmers and schools to get together and have some sporting fun.”It’s great to have all the co-ed schools together and it’s also a great form of team building while socialising and having fun.”

He added that he loved the idea that the gala would not only bring various schools together but also give back to the community, assisting those who need the most. The team will also participate in St Stithians 10-school gala on 4 February wearing their purple speedos to encourage the support of the Annual Dare Devil Run due to take place on 24 March. The run aims to raise awareness of cancer.

De Jonge hoped that this charitable aspect to the event would help the Parktown Boys swimming team be more conscious of the world around them. He concluded that they would like more girl entrants, so whether you are a small team or a big one, join in swimming for a good cause.

Details: Liesl Schuin 086 242 2865; schuinl@parktownboys.com