One of the highlights of being a blogger is when you get a surprise invitation to attend and cover an event that is filled with so much spirit, pride and excitement! I am talking about last weekend’s Gauteng Provincial School Championships for the sporting codes of Football, Netball, Volleyball and Rugby. These thrilling and oh so nerve wrecking play offs took place at Hoërskool Florida & Albion Sports Complex in Florida on the Westrand on 1 and 2 August 2015. Thank you Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation for inviting Heslop Sports. From start to finish all activities ran as a well oiled machine with team members helpful, friendly and well organized. Covering this special meet really just reminded us of the Heslop Sports mandate of celebrating our up-and-coming young athletes. This generation of determined young champions inspire our youth, their communities, and will ultimately make an impact on our nation. Viva young athletes!
“The School Games programme is held in a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation and the Gauteng Department of Education, which aim to revitalize school leagues, identify and develop talent and give players an opportunity to showcase their skills, as well as reward outstanding performance and achievements”.
Early morning Western Joburg stretched out an icy hand of welcome on one of its harshest freezing mornings ever, with the earth, wind, air, and frost showing no mercy towards the Young Athletes.
But the best of Gauteng’s sports young talent showed no signs of being deterred by the foul weather as they were all in their element as they shined, scored, cheered and danced for their teams in the hope and expectation of being crowned Provincial Champions, going on to represent Team Gauteng at the SA National School Champs in December 2015.
The participating School teams were from the Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng regions of Gauteng. They competed for the title of provincial champions in their respective age categories.
Winners in the 13 year old and 17 year old categories proceeds to the national level of school games champs in December 2015, with the high aim of defending Gauteng’s title as the reigning national champions for three consecutive years. What an honour for these young talented male and female players!
“Director of Sport and Recreation at the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation and, Mr Veli Mnyandu and Mr Edgar Mogadi, Deputy Director of Sport and Recreation South Africa, were amongst the officials on hand to witness the thrills and spills of the games and award certificates, medals and trophies to the participants”.
“I am highly impressed with the level of talent that Gauteng has produced, and I have the upmost confidence that these young athletes are our future spots stars and will keep Gauteng as the Home of Champions” said MEC for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation, Ms Molebatsi Bopape.
Please FIND BELOW the list of winning school teams of the provincial school games. Teams who won gold medals in the 13 year old and 17 old categories in the four sporting codes will represent Gauteng at the National Schools Championships in December. WELL DONE! CONGRATULATIONS!
Also watch this space because schools are soon to begin competing in other sporting codes including chess, basketball, gymnastics, table tennis, swimming, hockey and cricket to complete the Gauteng Team for the national championships.
Winners List:
| PRIMARY SCHOOLS | ||||
| CODE | AGE | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE |
| FOOTBALLPRIMARY | Boys11 Years | MAKOLA Jhb Central | FinetownJHB South | MatshidisoEkurhuleni South |
| Girls11 Years | KGOMOCO Sedibeng East | Meetsi a bopheloTshwane South | Job MasekoGauteng East | |
| Boys13 Years | CHIEF LUTHULI Ekurhulni North | EmfuleniSedibeng West | MayibuyeJHB West | |
| Girls13 Years | THOPODI Gauteng East | IpolokengJHB North | BotlehadiTshwane West | |
| VOLLEYBALLPRIMARY | Boys11 Years | TROYEVILLE Jhb East | LoratongTshwane North | PolokengSedibeng west |
| Girls11 Years | TROYEVILLE Jhb East | RekopantseTshwane West | ZolaJHB central | |
| Boys13 Years | TROYVILLE Jhb East | SBSMJHB central | HlabelelaGauteng North | |
| Girls13 Years | CATHULA Ekurhuleni South | ThuthuzekaniGauteng West | Matsie-SteynSedibeng East | |
| NETBALLPRIMARY | Girls 11 Years | WIERDAPARK Tshwane South | MenloparkTshwane South | RandhartEkurhuleni South |
| RUGBYPRIMARY | Boys13 Years | PIET van VUUREN Jhb North | Bula DigoraTshwane South | GoedehoopEkurhuleni South |
| SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||||
| FOOTBALLSECONDARY | Boys15 Years | BOPHELO JHB North | Rosina SeibaneTshwane South | EsokwaziSedibeng West |
| Girls15 Years | DR. BW VILAKAZI JHB Central | Chipa TabaneGauten North | Winnie MandelaEkurhulni North | |
| Boys17 Years | ROSINA SEDIBANE Tshwane South | Seana MarenaJHB Central | Norkem ParkEkurhuleni North | |
| Girls17 Years | AURORA GIRLS JHB Central | Rosina SeibaneTshwane South | MohloliSedibeng East | |
| VOLLEYBALLSECONDARY | Boys15 Years | SBSM JHB Central | Dominican ConventJHB East | MaxekeSedibeng West |
| Girls15 Years | MAXEKE Sedibeng West | MidrandJHB East | LodirileGauteg West | |
| Boys17 Years | QUEENS JHB East | Beverly HillsSeeding West | TM LetlakeGauteng West | |
| Girls17 Years | FUMANA Ekurhuleni South | PoelanoSeibeng West | ThutoloreJHB West | |
| NETBALLSECONDARY | Girls 14 Years | AFFIES Tshwane South | NoordheuwelGauteng west | DinamikaEkurhuleni South |
| NETBALLLSEN | Girls MMH19 Years | KRUGERLAAN Sedibeng East | RoodeparkJhb West | MagaliesskoolTshwane North |
| RUGBYSECONDARY | Boys17 Years | RHODESFIELD Ekurhuleni North | KliptownJhb South | LethabileTshwane South |
