GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — The start of the third school term in Graaff-Reinet this Tuesday, 17 July, brings with it the excitement of interschools.
The interschools competition between Volkskool and Union, held every year in August, is the biggest school sporting event in Graaff-Reinet.
Come the beginning of August the entire town is split in two, each resident backing either Volkskool or Union.
After the founding of Union High School (1919) and Volkskool (1922) respectively, animosity between the parents, pupils and teachers of the two schools was tangible. The two schools, however, decided to play against each other and the first ever sports matches took place soon after the foundation of the schools.
Although Union High and Volkskool are not the oldest schools in the former Cape Province, the annual matches between them are of the oldest.
From 1928 to 1969 two Interschools matches were played per annum. As the records show, it often happened that the tables in the second game turned. One of the reasons given by some old Unionites, as to why from 1969 only one match took place, is that it was felt that the school community’s emotions could not be raised like that twice in one year.
Currently, the relationship between Union High and Volkskool is very good. There is a strong spirit of cooperation. The friendship does not mean that the one will back down for the other during Interschools. The competition is very tough but is played in the good spirit of sportsmanship.
The event draws past pupils from all over the world, all keen to support their Alma Mater, to celebrate reunions and remember the good old days.
This year's FNB Classic Clash inter-schools event is being hosted by Laer Volkskool with the highlight of the event, the rugby match between the two school's first teams, being played on Saturday, August 11, at the Botanics Sports Grounds.
Have a look at last year’s results here.
As has become tradition, the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser will compile a special interschools edition for Thursday August 9. Any business or institution wishing to be part of this feature can contact Sune van der Mescht at sune@groupeditors.co.za or Corrie van Zyl at corrie@groupeditors.co.za.
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