Sports clubs celebrate great successes, plan for New Year
KOWIE STRIDERS — chair, Marietjie Robb This has been a good year for the Kowie Striders running and walking club.
Our runners and walkers continue to achieve the goals they have set for themselves regarding races that they train for and run.
Our running academy, which would not be possible if it were not for the generosity of those who sponsor it, has gone from strength to strength. Special mention must be made of Thandolwethu Matsalo, who won the EPA Cross Country junior male athlete of the year for 2022 and the EPA Cross Country most valuable male athlete of the year for 2023.
He received a bronze medal for the boys’ U15 EPA Cross Country Championships in 2022 and 2023, he received a silver medal for the boys’ U16 EPA Cross Country Championships.
The club put on a successful EPA Smash the Pineapple Race in October 2023 despite the torrential rain on the day. Our Tuesday time trials have grown this year and we are looking forward to seeing more members at our time trials in 2024.
We will close off the year with our annual fun run on December 26 at 3pm, starting and ending at the Port Alfred Country Club. The theme will be green and gold in honour of winning the Rugby World Cup for a fourth time.
Our AGM takes place on January 23 2024 and the new committee will set its goals for 2024.
A very happy Christmas and a rewarding 2024 to all Striders members and their families.
KOWIE BOWLING CLUB communications, Mike Ryan
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Despite this being the month for festivities, the activities at Kowie have not slowed down in the least, and our club competitions have been well supported. Just this week, we hosted the Leach Hamper and also had the finals of our very successful night league, with our internal and external competitions being well supported.
However, as it is in life, we have experienced some highlights and some challenges.
Our greens were flooded a couple of months ago and tons of mud were deposited on to a few rinks. A huge team effort was put in from members to get the facility cleaned up, and get the greens back to the high standards e are all accustomed to.
Unfortunately, there were also a number of incidents of vandalism and, sadly during the year, a couple of our older club stalwarts passed away.
A number of our players achieved the highest honours in the district and the province. Well done to you all. We have great plans for 2024, and will continue to provide a top-class facility for our local community to enjoy the game they love.
We will strive to increase our membership, and encourage players of all age groups to try their hand at bowls. Plans are also underway to build a fireplace in our main bar area, where this will be a lovely addition for our cold winter months.
Our Wednesday morning novice/golden oldies/practice sessions have been a great hit this year with the morning’s always well attended and lots of fun had. The Night League, which is aimed at businesses challenging one another on the greens, has been very popular. We hope to have two full greens under lights for next year.
The club president and all its members would like to thank all our sponsors during the year for their continued support in making Kowie club a huge success story during 2023.
The same goes for all our players from far and wide who supported us during the year.
May you and your families all be richly blessed with good health during the festive season and prosperity in the new year. Enjoy the time with your families. God bless you all.
KOWIE PIGEON RACING CLUB Schenk
— chair, Ray
The Kowie Pigeon Racing Club competition ended on a high note with the annual prizegiving. Brendan Samuel was crowned club champion for 2023 with Koos Kooy producing the best bird for the season. As racing pigeon enthusiasts we optimistically look forward to the new season in 2024 and particularly the young bird competition that is to be flown over six races.
We wish our members and all members of the various sporting bodies and codes within Ndlambe region a most blessed Christmas and a great sporting 2024.
NDLAMBE TIGERS RUGBY CLUB — PR, Christo Breytenbach
We have been blessed as a club during 2023. We were able to compete in the Sedru league competition. We had no serious injuries to our players, and while travelling to games out of town, we remained accident-free. Much-needed kit was donated to our players by the Sarah Baartman Municipality and preparations for next year are in full swing. We take this opportunity to wish our partners, sponsors, players, management and supporters safe travels over the festive season.
We will again next year be playing our part in