Sports tourney showcases young talent
Jeff Grootboom, principal at Asherville Secondary School with Envor Botha, representative of Gold Rush and Winston Hector from Kroonvale Primary enjoying the action on the field. GRAAFF-REINET — This past weekend, October 13 and 14, primary and secondary schools from in and around the district convened at the Collie Koeberg Sports Complex to participate in the annual Camdeboo Classic Clashes tournament.
The Camdeboo Classic Clashes tournament sees 17 schools compete in four sporting codes, these being rugby, netball, soccer and volleyball.
The tournament seeks to provide schools from underprivileged communities with sporting opportunities so as to help learners realise their full capabilities and sporting potential.
The tournament is also a fundraising effort which benefits a bursary fund established to provide talented learners with the means and access to tertiary education and better opportunities.
The weekend began with various games played on Friday as well as the official opening ceremony held at Spandau Secondary School on Friday evening. The c ceremony was attended by members from v various departments, local principals, sponsor representatives and members of t the LOC.
Mr JJ Smith from the Department of Education and a member of the LOC discussed the importance of exposing gifted learners from these communities to tournaments such as the Camdeboo Classic Clashes and putting these learners’ names forward to the committee in an effort to secure funding for these learners so that they may excel and not be limited b by their circumstances.
Saturday saw the community as well as supporters, officials and staff from the 17 participating schools, rally in support of the learners at the Collie Koeberg Sports Complex.
Spirits were high as supporters cheered on from the stands and the side-lines.
The tournament was sponsored by Burger Inn as well as the main sponsor, the Gold Rush Foundation.
Envor Botha, from Gold Rush Casino and Bingo Entertainment, explained the reason behind why the company decided to get on board and sponsor the tournament in 2016, he said “Gold Rush Casino and Bingo Entertainment supports the development of sports and arts and culture in Graaff-reinet and surrounding areas and believes that by sponsoring such events ultimately contributes to the overall development of the learners especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He encouraged the Camdeboo Classic Clashes to work towards improving the atmosphere of such tournaments by putting measures in place to ensure an incident-free tournament so as to secure long spanning sponsorships with companies such as Gold Rush and other potential sponsors.
CPrincipals, representatives from various government departments and members of the LOC enjoyed an enjoyable opening ceremony function on Friday evening. The stands were filled with spectators. A soccer match in full swing.