FOOTBALLERS FROM THE PAST RANKED NATIONALLY

Parts of the 5km parkrun course in Makana botanical gardens pass pretty close to the 1820 Settlers National Monument, festival headquarters, and many of the 77 participants last Saturday would have been aware of the “arts action” taking place above them.

On that day, Kennedy Simango completed his 100th parkrun, while two teenagers Harry Weissenberg and Cee-Jay Porthen completed their 195th and 175th parkruns respectively. Quite an achievement for the two young runners! Parkruns are held at 8am each Saturday from the entrance to the botanical gardens in Lucas Avenue.

Recently I came across a document and photo of the Grahamstown City Football Club team that were the joint-winners of the prestigious Dewar Shield in 1972, exactly 50 years ago. Pictured with the team were Keith Scott (club chair) and Doug Richardson (committee member). The team on that occasion comprised, in alphabetical order, Terry Butterworth, Trevor Butterworth, Albert Levings, Ben Marshall, George Marshall (goalkeeper), “Gappy” May, Bennie Nel, Rob Owsley, Mike Parkins, Donald “Toy” Rischbieter (captain), Derek Smith and Brian Whitaker.

Now the questions arise: Who were Grahamstown City joint-winners with, and where was the Dewar Shield final played that year?

St Andrew’s College swimmers Joss Hempel and Oliva Lange have been ranked in the top-ten in their respective age groups in South Africa.

In the 18 years’ category, Lange has been ranked in three breaststroke divisions fourth in the 50m, third in the 100m and third in the 200m. He is also ranked sixth in the 200m individual medley.

In the 17 years’ age group for butterfly swimmers, Hempel is ranked second in the 50m, fourth in the 100m and fifth in the 200m.