Grey gets thumbs up from Saru to host Grant Khomo U16 week
Grey High School has been given the nod by SA Rugby to host the prestigious Grant Khomo tournament, which will take place from June 17 to 21.
A total of 18 provincial under-16 rugby teams, plus two sides from Namibia and Zimbabwe, will make their way to Nelson Mandela Bay’s shores to compete in the event.
Grey head of rugby Robbi Kempson, a former Springbok, said the school was honoured to be given the opportunity to host the tournament.
He said the local organising committee (LOC) was working around the clock to ensure they presented a successful event.
“We are very fortunate to be hosting this event. There were a lot of candidates [other schools] which [submitted proposals], so we are very fortunate,” Kempson said.
“The LOC is very switched on and they want to make this event a success.
“We have already held our first meeting, which was held by the EP schools body, and they’ve put a committee together for the various roles that need to be filled.
“Grey have been running festivals for 30 years, so we have a lot of experience when it comes to these type of things.
“Hopefully we can transfer that to the Grant Khomo and make it a huge success.”
He said hosting the Grant Khomo week was a success for both the school and the city.
“There is not much rugby going on in our region at the moment and for the whole of Gqeberha it’s quite a big thing for us to showcase what we can do in the Bay.
“Hopefully, we will get Test matches back here and maybe have a rugby academy down the line.
“It’s largely a national event, but international schools are welcomed as well.
“For Grey, it is an incredible honour to have the privilege of hosting such a prestigious event. Visiting pupils will have the opportunity to play on the Kolisi Field, which [Springbok captain] Siya [Kolisi] opened two years ago.”
EP Rugby Schools secretary Neville Botha said a tender was put out by the SA Rugby Union for schools to apply to host the tournament.
He said many schools had applied, but Grey High’s presentation won the day.
“The reason we went with Grey is they have a rich history and we know what Grey is.
“If you talk about Grey High School, you talk about quality and top-of-the-range in terms of facilities.
“They have been hosting tournaments for the past 20 years and are well equipped to host such a tournament.
“Their presentation was spot on and that is why they came out No 1.
“Saru said if you are hosting a Grant Khomo or Craven Week, you need to be near the airport and hospitals must be close, and Grey ticks all those boxes. They have Provincial Hospital and Greenacres Hospital nearby.”
He said Saru had endorsed the event.