The annual Coca-Cola Youth Week festivals begin this week with the u.13 Coca-Cola Craven Week kicking-off a month of the best in schoolboy rugby.
The Coca-Cola Youth Weeks take place annually and comprise of four age categorised rugby tournaments in which schoolboys representing their respective regions, compete against one another:
• u.13 Coca-Cola Craven Week
• u.16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week
• u.18 Coca-Cola Academy Week
• u.18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
The Coca-Cola Youth Weeks are where our country’s future rugby heroes are made.
Now in its 52nd year, Coca-Cola Craven Week has become synonymous as the platform for showcasing the best in South African youth rugby talent. The under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week has seen over 270 future Springboks come through its ranks, additionally, the SA Under-20 team is nearly entirely made up of players who have played in one or more of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks.
To highlight the talent that will no doubt be uncovered at this year’s Coca-Cola Craven Week, a Coca-Cola judging panel will once again be selecting and recognising the Coca-Cola Hero of the Day. This daily award will honour the standout player on each match day of the u18 week to be held in Stellenbosch from the 13 to 18 July.
The Coca-Cola Hero of the Day is not necessarily your typical man of the match. He is the fullback who made that courageous try-saving tackle, the kicker who slotted a final second penalty for the win or the winger who scored an amazing intercept try. It is hero moments such as these which can earn a player the prestigious Coca-Cola Hero of the Day award.
Additionally, in acknowledging the massive role that schools play in the development of South Africa’s future rugby heroes, Coca-Cola has taken the “Hero of the Day” concept to social media. Coca-Cola are searching for South Africa’s ultimate school rugby hero. Whether it’s the star flyhalf, a dedicated supporter or the u13 water boy, they want to know their story. The winner and their school will be awarded with amazing rugby related prizes.
Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager comments, “Coca-Cola South Africa is extremely proud to support the development of South Africa’s next rugby heroes through the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks. This will be the 30th year of our sponsorship – we have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the success of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks and the incredible foundation they have created for schoolboy rugby in South Africa.
“The Coca-Cola Youth Weeks also signify the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle through participation in sport. Coca-Cola’s philosophy in sponsoring sport is all about encouraging physical activity and developing healthy lifestyles. Playing sport, together with a balanced diet, play an important role in maintaining a healthy way of life.”
The schedule for the Coca-Cola Rugby Youth Weeks rugby tournaments is as follows:
• Under-13 Coca-Cola Craven Week – 29 June to 3 July 2015, Hoërskool Rob Ferreira, White River
• Under-16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week, July 6 to 9 2015 – Bridgton Sports Grounds, Oudtshoorn
• Coca-Cola Academy Week – July 6 to 9 2015, Isak Steyl Stadium, Vanderbijlpark
• Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – July 13 to 18, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
