Union teams ready for senior sports festival

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Union High School's annual senior rugby and hockey festival is set to roar back to life this weekend when roughly 600 learners and coaches travel to Graaff-Reinet for this sporting extravaganza.

"As the annual festival has been on an enforced hiatus due to the pandemic, the school is delighted to host this year's action from Friday 25 March to Monday 28 March," said Union High School's Head of Sport, Christopher Felix.

"Amazingly, it has been two years since we had to call off the festival," he continued. "Now we are ready to get back onto the field of play and looking forward to a weekend of rugby and hockey being played in a competitive, but fun-based environment."

Felix said there was an air of anticipation among the young sportsmen and women as they prepared for the festival.

"There is great excitement as our hockey and rugby players get ready to experience the joy of being able to participate in this popular festival, something they have sorely missed," he added.

A smooth clearance to send the backline away on another attack.

Among the schools participating in the 33rd year of this festival, are Camps Bay High School, Cradock High School, Kirkwood High School, Grey High School, Winterberg Agricultural High School, Andrew Rabie High School, Hoërskool Burgersdorp, Gill College, Stirling High School, Cambridge High School, Asherville Secondary School, Riebeek College, Hoërskool Nico Malan, Hoër Volkskool, Stellenbosch High School, Hoërskool Dirkie Uys, Hoërskool Jim Fouché, Hoërskool Brandwag, Victoria Girls High School and of course, the Union first team and invitational side.

Hockey will be one of the sports on the menu when Union High School's annual senior rugby and hockey festival, sponsored by Caltex Eastern Cape and Botha's Garage, in Graaff-Reinet this weekend. Here is Union's hockey captain, Chloe Shires, with the coach, Calvin Beck, ready to welcome visiting teams to Union.

While there will be keen competition, Felix said the emphasis was on camaraderie, spirit and sportsmanship.

He added that the festival would not have been possible without the backing of the sponsors, including the title sponsors Caltex Eastern Cape and Botha's Garage.

"We are grateful for their support as we look forward to a weekend of friendship, fun and loads of healthy competition," he said.

Caltex EC and Botha's Garage said they are thrilled to support this event.

"It is really special to be on board with sporting events such as these and to be able to welcome a spectrum of schools from around South Africa to Graaff-Reinet," said Shawn Botha of Botha's Garage.

"This is a great chance to compete on the sports fields, but also to have fun and to make friends with other schools."

Hockey will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of this weekend's senior rugby and hockey festival at Union. Photos: Hugo Redelinghuys