Theodor Herzl High kicking for Guinness goal
A culmination of blood, sweat and tears saw Theodor Herzl High School’s team of five-aside soccer players reach their goal and possibly break a Guinness World Record.
The 77-hour-long record attempt, which saw pupils playing in gale-force wind and rain, ended with the school raising the record-breaking bar.
While the attempt is yet to be formally recognised in the Guinness World Records, with verification, witness statements and final authentication still to take place, the school is certain it met all the requirements, with the entire event having been live-streamed and logged.
From Sunday morning to Wednesday, pupils, parents and the Theodor Herzl community cheered on the team of 16 players while watching them make history and aim for their goal of becoming Gqeberha’s first school to break the world record for the longest uninterrupted five-a-side soccer match.
The school’s head of sports, Jason Hyam, said the Guinness World Records had set several parameters for them to abide by.
“Lots of paperwork,” he said.
“There was a logbook that needed to be done.
“We need some statements from a number of different witnesses.
“We’ve live-streamed and recorded the entire event on YouTube that I’ll need to send
through, and all of that goes through with a number of other bits and pieces.”
He described every moment in the game as precious and having contributed to the growth of the pupils.
“It is a fantastic moment for us to transition to being a holistic education school where academics and sport sit side by side as part of our education process — creating memories and light-bulb moments for our young people who then, hopefully, can create this lifelong passion for sport.”
Principal Viktor Kurtz said he was quite emotional after the record attempt and described the moment as one of his proudest at the school.
“Our school is a miracle in many ways, and the fact that everyone comes together is a testimony that no matter who you are, you have a role to play,” Kurtz said.
“When Jason came up with the idea, I didn’t hesitate and trusted the process.”
One of the team captains, grade 10 pupil David Horak, 16, said the experience was a proud moment for him and his peers.
“It has been a very special moment for all of us.
“I’m glad we worked together and helped each other to get to the finish line.
“I didn’t ever imagine breaking a world record with my school, let alone the record that involves my favourite sport,” Horak said.
“It makes me feel so proud of all of us, and we deserved it.”