Craven school rugby tournament at Kearsney
NEXT week Kearsney College will play host to what is arguably the world’s biggest school rugby tournament: the combined 2016 U-18 Coca-Cola Craven and Academy Week.
It will be the first time the two events have been held simultaneously at the same venue to select the SA Schools team.
The 44 teams from across South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe – an estimated 1 260 players and support staff – bring with them family, friends and supporters keen to watch South Africa’s top young rugby players in action.
These thousands of supporters, as well as Supersport’s live daily broadcasts, are a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful region.
It also offers a boost to the local economy, with hospitality venues, coffee shops, restaurants, shops and attractions sure to benefit from the influx of supporters who have booked into accommodation from Pietermaritzburg to the South Coast, Durban and uMhlanga through to Ballito.
While the three KZN teams have already moved into Kearsney College for a pre-tournament camp, the remaining 41 teams start arriving this weekend.
The event runs from July 11 to 16. Craven Week games will be played on the Stott Field and Academy Week fixtures on the AH Smith Oval at Kearsney. SuperSport will broadcast all weekday games live, as well as Saturday’s final.
The 44 teams are being accommodated at Kearsney College, Glenwood, DHS, Port Natal and Maritzburg College.
Kearsney is proud to have five players representing KwaZulu-Natal: Dylan Richardson, Jared Meyer, Luke Croshaw, James Miller and Cameron Ritchie. Kearsney teacher Dean Moodley is the manager of the provincial team.
Entry is R20 through four access gates at various points around the campus. The Kearsney coffee shop will be open for the duration of the tournament, as well as numerous food stalls and a beer garden at the Greyhound.
There will be no public parking on campus, but parking will be permitted on roads and verges in the vicinity.