Chess and rugby honours for Papenkuil Primary pair
TWO Papenkuil Primary pupils will put their school on the sporting map after being selected to represent both provincial and national teams for their respective sporting codes.
Aliche Stuurman, 11, will represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Chess Championships 2017 in India next month, while rugby star Ethan Vitealingum has become the first Papenkuil pupil selected for Eastern Province at the U13 Craven Week in July.
Aliche, who has been playing chess since she was eight, said it was an honour to be part of the team going overseas.
She was recently named the best U12 trials player and best overall trials player of the Nelson Mandela Bay Chess Union.
“Chess is a game of thinking,” she said. “You have to be constantly thinking about your next move, because if not, you won’t get very far. I simply love this game.”
Papenkuil chess convener Leela Chowhan said she was proud of Aliche’s achievements and hoped to be able to collect the money needed to fund her trip.
“She has the opportunity to show people that through perseverance, anything is possible.”
While the family has done some fundraising, they still need further donations as she cannot travel to the competition without a guardian.
Ethan, of Gelvandale, who plays as prop, will look to put his best foot forward when he jogs out for the U13 side in Bloemfontein from July 9.
He said he was pleased to be selected and aimed to do his province and parents proud.
“I’ve only been playing rugby since last year,” he said.
Papenkuil rugby coordinator Venecia Johnson said Ethan was the school’s first rugby player selected for a provincial team.
She hoped many more would follow. Ethan’s father, Hezron Damons, said it was a massive achievement for the family and they were extremely proud of his selection.