Preparing Athletes for the Future at League Finals | Western Cape Government

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Preparing Athletes for the Future at League Finals

19 December 2012

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is proud of the Western Cape team for turning their vision of winning and learning together as a team into a reality at the National School Sports Championship in Pretoria.

Team Western Cape was crowned as 2nd best team overall after Gauteng at the closing ceremony at the University of Pretoria on Saturday, 15 December 2012. The athletics team won a total of 31 medals, 19 of them gold. Winners of gold medals included the u18 girls’ and boys’ basketball and volleyball teams from Western Cape Sport School, the u13 girls’ and boys’ volleyball teams from Montevideo Primary and the u16 boys’ rugby team of Kasselsvlei High School.

Three members of the Western Cape team received ministerial bursaries for their impressive performances at the championship. U17 boys’ 100 m sprinter Keenan Michau (Bernadino Heights High), u15 girls’ 100 m sprinter Tamzin Thomas (Western Cape Sport School), and u13 girls’ gymnast Nazley Losper (Wavecrest Primary) will also benefit from high performance training. Multi-purpose sports facilities will be built next year at the five best-performing schools. The names of these fortunate schools will be announced in due course.

The championship was a result of a partnership between Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the City of Tshwane and others who worked together to build the national teams of tomorrow.

The Deputy Minister of SRSA, Mr Gert Oosthuizen, described the event as a “watershed moment”. The championship was intended to create access for learners from all schools across the country to participate in sport. “It’s all about travelling, having fun and making new friends. We’ll definitely reap the benefits if we continue ensuring that sport is introduced into an integrated school sport system. We are confident that next year will be better, greater and bigger as we prepare athletes to represent our country in the future”, Oosthuizen said.

For Team Western Cape, the championship was mainly about exposing athletes to national competition. Winning 2nd place overall was a bonus. Team spokesperson Ms Doreen Slingers said team members were proud to be going home with trophies and individual medals. “We salute the athletes, officials and all our supporters back at home who were united in team spirit. Our emphasis on discipline, values, teamwork and travel etiquette contributed to our success in the championship. We’ve definitely grown as a unit and teams were able to learn from each other”, said Slingers.

Thousands of people will remember the experience of participating and watching schools from all over the country compete in the championship. A particular highlight was the participation of athletes with disabilities. Nombuyiselo Tina of Team Western Capes said she was grateful to have been able to compete at a higher level and to have learned valuable life lessons in the process.

The event showed that school sport development is successfully creating opportunities for learners at schools across the country to participate in a variety of sporting codes and, in the process, inspiring people in their communities.

Media Enquiries: 

Annerie Pruis-Le Roux
Directorate: Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9730
E-mail: Annerie.Pruis@westerncape.gov.za

Or

Roderick Siljeur
Directorate: Sport Development
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9654
Cell: 082 955 6577
E-mail: Roderick.Siljeur@westerncape.gov.za