Easter showdowns for Berlin
Clubs’ excitement builds after five-year wait
FLYING Stars rugby football club is all set to host the much anticipated three-day 2017 Easter Rugby tournament at Mncotsho in Berlin grounds, starting on April 14.
Already 16 teams have confirmed they will be taking part, and club manager Sabelo Hlalukana says the Stars are more than ready to host the big tournament.
The teams who have confirmed are: Sky Blues, Swallows, Home Stars, Sea Lion, Western Eagles, Protea, Hungry Lion, Winter Rose, Night Greens, Sukani, Home Boys, Blue Jet, Buffaloes, Young Leopard, Blue Ranges and Sunrise.
Hlalukana said the tournament was very popular in the area, and the entire Berlin community was waiting “impatiently for its return”.
“Ever since we started hosting this tournament the response has been positive from the community,” he said.
Hlalukana added that they are as ready to go as they “could possibly be”.
“Even if Easter was tomorrow we would still be ready,” vowed Hlalukana.
According to Hlalukana, the tournament is held partly as a means to help curb social challenges facing young men in previously disadvantaged communities, as well as, of course, to develop the game of rugby in those communities.
“Black people’s excellence in rugby should be celebrated, cultivated and developed to its fullest potential,” he added.
According to the team secretary, Zamikhaya Papane, Stars host the tournament every five years due to financial constraints.
When they last hosted the tournament in 2012, Tshabo-based team Reddy Blues came out as the big winners, defeating the Rising Stars from Kwelerha in a nailbiting 8-3 finish.
In the 2012 tournament 25 teams participated, and many of these have confirmed that they will be returning to fight their way to the top place in the tournament.
However, Reddy Blues will not be there to defend their honour because they are now in the Premier League division and the rules are clear – only Sunday league and first division clubs are allowed.
The Reddy Blues won the grand prize of R10 000.
Hlalukana explained that the grand prize will be raised by R5 000 every time regardless of the number of teams participating.
Registration is R1 000 for each club and they need to register no later than April 7.
The allocations are as follows: first prize is R15 000, second R7 000, third R3 000 and fourth R1 500.
The first place losers win R4 000 and second place losers R2 000.
Another tournament taking place on the same weekend is the Dali Mpofu Easter tournament, which comprises not just rugby but netball as well.
This will be held in Jubisa location, King William’s Town.