Anne Beagley sport fest delivered with flair

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HOCKEY NEWS - Union High School (UHS) proudly hosted its annual Anne Beagley Junior Rugby and Hockey Festival this past weekend at its picturesque campus in Graaff-Reinet showcasing some of the best rugby and hockey schools in the province.

It has been on the school's annual sports calendar for 22 years, drawing hundreds of visitors to the town each year.

PHOTO GALLERY: Anne Beagley Junior Rugby and Hockey Festival

With a unique family-friendly atmosphere, the festival - held over four days from Friday 23 June to Monday 26 June - is regarded as an annual pilgrimage for many primary schools and friends of the Union Schools.

Rugby and hockey teams from as far as Makhanda, Komani, Gqeberha and even Namibia, compete in this keenly anticipated tournament.

The opening ceremony was held on Friday, with nearly 800 u. 13 A rugby and hockey players waving their school colours, starting the festival with flair.

The opening ceremony was followed by a cocktail function in the Tony Burrell Union, welcoming visitors and paying homage to the title sponsors, Botha's Garage and Caltex Eastern Cape, as well as thanking coaches and staff, for their valued contribution to the festival.

UHS confidently exclaimed that the players and their supporters had a fantastic and thrilling weekend filled with brilliant hockey, rugby, camaraderie, and a one-of-a-kind Karoo experience bestowed by the locals.

While the Friday afternoon saw some hockey teams already taking to the field for a set of matches, the Saturday morning saw the festival starting in all earnest, with every inch of UHS's sports fields occupied with teams from, among others, Grey Junior School, Kingswood College, Hangklip Primary, Pioniers Park Primary, Gonubie Primary, Stirling Primary, Muir College, Graeme College, Westering Primary, Erica's Girls School, Sunridge Primary, Charlo Primary, Selborne College, Laer Volkskool, Lilyfontein Primary, Lorraine Primary, Hudson Park Primary, and Queen's College.

Aside from thrilling sports broadcast via live stream thanks to SuperSport Schools, young Union scholar, Trystan Hulleman, also provided excellent live commentary.

Union High School's Head of Junior Sport, Mpilo Njoloza praised all involved. "All the coaches and managers must be complimented on their willingness to give up their free time to extend the educational horizons of those in their care. A special word of thanks goes to the Union parents working behind the scenes for their continuous support.

"We appreciate every team that participated, all the officials and the many supporters," Njoloza said.

"There were some very close matches, as well as wins by bigger margins, but it was a pleasure to see how teams on the losing end never threw in the towel."

Union scholar, Trystan Hulleman, enjoyed the opportunity to deliver live commentary on the weekend’s sport via SuperSport Schools.