A timeless epic showdown between Parktown Boys’ High School and Jeppe High School for Boys ignited the Parktown Boys’ school grounds. The boys in their various age groups participated in the hockey and rugby fixtures on July 21 and 22, respectively.
The Gazette attended the hockey game of the 2nd XI Parktown team against the 4th XI Jeppe team.
Master in charge of hockey at Parktown Boys’ High School James Furlonger said Parktown vs Jeppe is one of the oldest schoolboy hockey fixtures in Johannesburg.
He said both schools had decided last year that the hockey fixture was going to stand against gender-based violence. “The aim is to raise awareness and stand against gender-based violence and also to create camaraderie between different schools. As a nation we can stand together against all of these issues and also create friendships and bonds going forward.”
Furlonger added that the boys had come back when schools opened and had trained two or three times a week even through the snow on July 10.
He said on the week leading to the match they had been preparing for the matches under the lights so that the boys could understand the importance of the problems, such as load-shedding, in South Africa.
“Everyone is excited about the big games. At the moment the second team is playing and Jeppe and Parktown have had 70 provincial hockey players between them who will all be on show today within different fixtures and different age group levels.”
Filler: Invite us to your sports events by email to naidines@caxton.co.za
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