SOB to kick of 70-year celebration in style

This will form part of their annual registrations for the new season.

The day will be filled with fun and live entertainment by Henri Alant, Jeremy James and Mac Young.

There will also be various food and exhibition stalls to browse through.

History of the club

Springs High School Past Pupils Association was formed in March 1946 after a few ex-Springs Old Boys’ High School pupils were missing the friendship they had built over the years.

When the club opened for former pupils from other schools, the name was changed to the Springs Old Boys Club.

“This openness proved to be beneficial to all concerned,” says Cheryl Brooks, the current chairman.

On March 6, 1946, the first AGM was held where Cyril Renton was elected as chairman of the club.

The association was always on the lookout for property to buy, and a clubhouse was needed.

The committee bought the property in Pollak Park in 1962. The 16 acres of ground cost them a mere R12 000.

In 1964, Bob Guildie was elected as chairman which was the start of a long reign for Bob who devoted all his time and energy to improve the club.

Their first project after purchasing the property was to erect a cricket field.

Many successful games and competitions were played on the grounds. Between 1975 and 1977, Old Boys hosted an annual game between an Eastern Transvaal XI and a Transvaal Board.

In 1978, as part of the Springs 75th Anniversary celebrations an exhibition match between Old Boys Invitation XI and Roy Mclean’s XI was staged at the club.

Famous cricket player Graeme Pollock was the number four batsman for Roy Mclean’s team, with Roy Mclean as captain.

Besides cricket, the club also hosted bowls, hockey, rugby, soccer, and water polo competitions.

The famous Striders club also started out with Springs Old Boys on September 25, 1972, during the AGM.

Cheryl says for the past 70 years, SOB have been a fierce force to reckon with on the cricket field.

In the 2015/2016 seven junior teams and seven senior teams participated in league games.

The Directors team were the winners in their league and the Colts team the runners-up.

The following players were also elected for Eastern Junior Club Cricket Association’s 2016 teams: Henco Maritz u-12, Nathan Steyn u-13, Neill Joubert and Keshav Somera u-14, Kyle Meiring and Taku Kuzepa u-15 with Rickus Neethling and Ashton Rudolph u-16 and Gustav van Heerden u-17.

Cameron Bernie was selected for the Easterns amateur team

• The 70th anniversary function will be held on September 30 in the main hall at the club. “We are hoping to get many of the Old Boys at this function and we will also be honouring a few new life members at this function,” says Cheryl.

More information on this function will follow.

Contact Cheryl on 076 820 7892 or 011 397 4729 during office hours for more information.