Township school rugby rivalry gets big boost
[caption id="attachment_39200" align="alignright" width="405"] ON THE BALL: Showing their support for township rugby are, from left, Mercia Oliphant (Forever Friday), Andre Oliphant (Gap Management) and Bantwini Matika (Sports Revolution). Picture: MIKE HOLMES[/caption]
ONE of the oldest township schoolboy rugby rivalries will be revived at the end of the month.
The clash sees Loyiso Senior Secondary School take on Kwazakhele High School at the Dan Qeqe Stadium in Zwide on July 30.
A partnership between Sports Revolution, a non-governmental organisation, Gap Management and Forever Friday, has embarked on a mission to boost township rugby in Port Elizabeth.
Willem Oliphant, owner and chief executive of Gap Management, has already donated R20000 towards the school rugby clash as well as a further R80000 towards the development of rugby in previously disadvantaged areas.
Sports Revolution managing director Bantwini Matika, who has a passion for rugby, said he would do his best to revive one of the oldest school rugby derbies. He has spent much of his free time and resources on the project.
Forever Friday PR and Media House will be handling all the logistics on the day of the clash.
Company managing director Mercia Oliphant said: "We do not believe in colour, we believe in people and their dreams.
"There is nothing more inspiring than to give inspiration to the youth, our leaders of tomorrow," she said.
The schools involved in the clash are both steeped in history. Kwazakhele High School was established in 1961, while Loyiso High School started in 1966.
The battle between the schools became one of the classic derbies in the area. It is believed that when these two teams took to the field things would come to a standstill in the area.
Forever Inspired is a part of the initiative to revive township rugby. The aim is to uplift the community while giving children and teens hope and a future through motivation.
The clash between the schools is an example of not only a once-off support to the community, but rather a sustainable programme that escalates into an annual event comprising several sporting codes, with rugby being the main focus for 2014-15. - Amir Chetty
