Kearsney Launches Easter Festival
As part of the celebrations of Shrove Tuesday, Kearsney announced that Lent would end on a happy note at its eighth Easter Festival which attracts some of the country's top rugby schools.
This year’s festival has attracted teams from Grey in Bloemfontein, Affies and Menlo Park from Pretoria, Dr EG Jansen from Boksburg, HTS Middelburg from Mpumalanga, as well as Selborne, Dale and Framesby from the Eastern Cape, SACS from Cape Town with Glenwood, Westville Boys’ and hosts Kearney from KwaZulu-Natal.
In endorsing the festival, John Smit, CEO of The Sharks and former Springbok captain, said schoolboy rugby plays an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s rugby culture, saying: “Rugby at schools is a place where the values of sportsmanship, team work, hard work, perseverance, respect and honour can be taught and embraced.
"Some of the country's finest rugby talent will be on display at the festival, and the event provides opportunities for players to be noticed and advance their rugby careers at provincial and national level."
Talent scouts and selectors from The Sharks and the Sharks Academy will again watch all three match days over the Easter weekend: Thursday 2 April, Saturday 4 and Monday 6 April 2015 – Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday and Eastern Monday.
The Sharks Academy will offer full bursaries for 2016 to three selected players. Backed by The Sharks, the bursaries will include a contract with The Sharks Academy, accommodation and a tuition bursary with one of its reputable education partners. Each bursary is valued at R100 000. The recipients will be announced immediately after the final game of the festival.
Kearney headmaster, Elwyn van den Aardweg, said: "The participation yet again of teams renowned for their rugby pedigree reinforces the prestigious status of this festival."
Speaking at the launch of the 2015 festival, Van den Aardweg noted that the Kearney Festival had grown significantly since its inception in 2008 and was certain to attract capacity crowds again this year. He said it was exciting to be welcoming Menlo Park and SACS for the first time, he said.
Three primary school teams – from Highbury, Pelham and Umhlali Preparatory – have also been invited to play against the KZNRU Ibutho / Mark Godefroy Under-13 team. Kicking off play each day, this fixture offers youngsters the opportunity of playing in front of large crowds and experiencing the festival atmosphere. This will be followed by six premier school fixtures on each of the three match days.
Festival director Taff Green announced that a new outreach initiative was being introduced. “This year we are excited to introduce an outreach aspect at the festival, together with the KZNRU Development Programme, to help equip players from less privileged backgrounds with kit and equipment.
Green said: “We invite the public and festival rugby players to TOUCH, PAUSE & ENGAGE with RUGBY DEVELOPMENT by bringing new or good condition second-hand rugby kit and to leave it in designated collection bins next to the main field. By this simple gesture, people can make a meaningful and effective contribution to rugby development.
"All sizes of rugby shorts and jerseys, socks, boots, rugby balls, kit bags and any equipment would be appreciated. Contributions will be handed over during the closing ceremony after the final game."
Match Days over the Easter Weekend 2015
Day 1: Thursday, 2 April
Day 2: Saturday, 4 April
Day 3: Monday, 6 April
2015 Fixtures
Day 1 Thursday, 2 April
08.30 KwaZulu-Natal Under-13 Provincial Development vs Umhlali Prep
09.30 Kearney vs Selborne
10.45 SACS vs Dale
12.00 Menlo Park vs Westville
13.15 Dr EG Jansen vs Affies
14.30 Glenwood vs Framesby
15.45 Grey vs HTS Middelburg
Day 2 Saturday, 4 April
08.30 KwaZulu-Natal Under-13 Provincial Development vs Pelham
09.30 Selborne vs Menlo Park
10.45 Westville vs Dale
12.00 Kearney vs Grey
13.15 Affies vs SACS
14.30 Glenwood vs HTS Middelburg
15.45 Framesby vs Dr EG Jansen
Day 3 Monday, 6 April
08.30 KwaZulu-Natal Under-13 Provincial Development vs Highbury
09.30 Westville vs SACS
10.45 Framesby vs Affies
12.00 HTS Middelburg vs Selborne
13.15 Glenwood vs Menlo Park
14.30 Grey vs Dr EG Jansen
15.45 Kearney vs Dale
17.00 Awarding of Sharks Academy Bursaries
Participation per School
Selborne and Kearney have played in all seven festivals so far, EG Jansen in six and Dale, Grey Bloem and Affies in five each.
Affies: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015
Dale: 2008, 2009, 2011-2015
EG Jansen: 2009-2015
Framesby: 2013-2015
Glenwood: 2010-2015
Grey Bloem: 2010-2015
HTS Middelburg, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015
Kearney: 2008-2015
Menlo Park: 2015
Monument: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015
SACS: 2015
Selborne: 2008-2015
Westville: 2012-2015
