Local sport legend laid to rest

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Sporting icon, Anthony Vicky "Styles" Adams, was laid to rest at the Sunnyside Cemetery on Saturday 18 February. Styles died on 8 February at the age of 60 after fighting lung cancer.

Earlier in the week, on Wednesday 15 February, Hampshire Rugby Football Club, a community-based club in existence since 1977, paid tribute to Styles by hosting a moving memorial service at his home in Reguit Street in Santaville.

PHOTO GALLERY: Sporting icon, Anthony Vicky "Styles" Adams' memorial service

Various sport clubs, community members, veterans and youngsters attended the service.

Styles was honoured by Hampshire with a certificate for outstanding commitment, dedication and patriotism for more than three decades as well as a certificate for outstanding on-field performances as a player.

When it came to sport, Styles was an all-rounder and a good athlete who also excelled in both field and track events. He also played tennis, rugby and cricket and coached youngsters when he was still a boy himself.

At the memorial Keith Wildskudt said Styles was a strong, but strict player and tutor.

Abey Lucas remembered how Styles taught others to kick a rugby ball using a plastic bottle - sometimes it was filled with stones to make it extra heavy, saying things aren't always easy and that they should prepare for the tough times.

Henry Adams said Styles always struggled to remove his tight bell-bottom jeans as his thigh muscles were so strong.

Eben Hufkie of Hampshire RC hands over Style's certificate to Style's daughter, Marelize Damons.

Rothman Nqumashe, who played rugby against Styles for Central Karoo clubs, said Styles could be very stubborn.

Nqumashe played for ABC and Styles for Hampshire and when the teams went head to head, ABC always hoped that Styles would not be able to play so that they had a chance to win. He remembers Styles as a hard player and a trendsetter - he could kick and run. Klaas Plaatjies of Hampshire, who played rugby with Styles, said he was a "spelskepper".

"He could do anything on a rugby field - a sporting genius."

"Styles was a phenomenal cricketer - a 'coloured Jonty Rhodes'," said John Savage, a former co-worker at Brian Bands Sports. Styles joined the Nieu-Bethesda Cricket Club in the late 80s and played for them well into the 90s.

Anthony Vicky Adams was born in Komani, then moved to Gqeberha and started his high school years at Spandau in Graaff-Reinet. It was here in the 80s that he made a name for himself as 'Styles' participating in almost every sport available. He later joined the Hampshire Rugby Football Club.

In the late 90s, he moved to Cape Town to find greener pastures and stayed with his 'boeta', Aubrey Rossouw, who taught him some electrical and building work.

He returned to Graaff-Reinet in 2015, but could not find sustainable employment.

Styles leaves behind three daughters, two sons, two sisters, two brothers, two grandchildren and many family members and friends.

His son Virgill April (15) says he will miss his father terribly.

He taught him the art of cricket and rugby right to the end, but there was still so much to learn.

Styles Adams as a young player.