In the wake of the best ever festival in 2010, this year’s Blythedale Coastal Resort Schools Easter Rugby Festival (in April) promises to be a feast of top rugby entertainment as Kearsney College gears up for the arrival of several hundred of the country’s top schoolboy rugby players, their coaches and families as well as several thousand enthusiastic supporters.
In the picture: Mark Taylor and Thami Kamanga. See picture gallery below.
“Bigger and better” was the buzz phrase at the media launch on February 22 at the Mr Price Kings Park stadium, where one of the strongest festival line-ups ever assembled was unveiled for the 2011 Festival. And, you guessed it, an exciting, attacking brand of schoolboy rugby will be the name of the game.
Mark Taylor, Kearsney old boy and CEO of The eLan Property Group who are the developers of the Blythedale Coastal Resort, said, “At eLan, we believe that the game of rugby is a nation building tool and has the power to change lives. Our passion for the game can be seen in our sponsorships and we are thrilled to be able to give something back to rugby development through our second year of sponsorship for the 2011 Blythedale Coastal Resort Schools Easter Rugby Festival.”
As this is Kearsney’s 90th year, the festival is especially privileged to host its first international school, Christ’s College from New Zealand. They will join the 11 elite rugby high schools that will be travelling to Kearsney to participate. The young and upcoming talent displayed on the rugby fields during the festival will not go unnoticed by The Sharks and Varsity College as they scout to identify three top matric players who will each receive a bursary to join the Sharks Academy and study through Varsity College in 2012.
SA Rugby Legends
To offer an opportunity for young players to experience playing in a sponsored rugby festival, a primary school category that includes the KZN Junior Development side will run in conjunction with the high school matches. A clinic will also be run by The Sharks Academy and SA Rugby Legends to promote rugby among the youth.
Elwyn van den Aardweg, Kearsney Headmaster, said, “We are proud to commemorate Kearsney’s 90th year by hosting the festival for the 4th consecutive year. We are also honoured to host and accommodate the 12 visiting schools, and in doing so, create an atmosphere that is conducive to creating and maintaining sporting relationships, diverse cultures, rugby skills, talent and inspiration.”
Joy Mills-Hackmann, Festival Relationship Manager, concluded, “The title sponsorship by the eLan Property Group, as well as other notable sponsors such as The Sharks and Mr Price together with the expertise of The Flagship Communications Group has once again added value to our own team in ensuring that the festival is the entertainment venue of choice over the long weekend.”
While rugby is the primary attraction, the festival has something to offer family members of all ages including fine food, stalls, music and much more and takes place on the April 21, 23 and 25 at Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill. The schools competing this year are:
HIGH SCHOOLS
From New Zealand
Christ’s College
From Gauteng
Hoërskool Marais Viljoe; Hoërskool Helpmekaar; Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen; Hoërskool Monument
From the Eastern Cape
Hoërskool Nico Malan; Dale College; Selborne College
From the Free State
Grey College
From KwaZulu-Natal
Glenwood High School; Kearsney College
From the Western Cape
Paarl Gymnasium
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
KZN Development Team; Highbury; Penzance; Westville
For more info contact Joy Mills-Hackmann on 031 765 9627 or e-mail joy@kearsney.com. Alternatively, visit the Facebook page Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival 2011 for regular updates.