The Durban University of Technology (DUT) School Engagement Project and Sport Studies Department teamed up to host a highly successful 7-school tournament, promoting school spirit and friendly competition through sport. It was held on Saturday 03 August 2024 and Sunday 04 August 2024 and the tournament brought together learners from seven local schools for a fun-filled day of games at the Hoy Park Sport Complex.
The DUT partnered with seven schools around Durban, namely Bechet High, Centenary Secondary, Durban Girls Secondary, Hunt Road Secondary, Overport Secondary, Sastri College and Sparks Estate Secondary. In 2024, they created something new: boys were also given a chance to showcase their talent in netball. Seven schools went head-to-head in a riveting soccer and netball tournament.
Bérénice de La Croix, Project Manager of the DUT School Engagement Project, said that they really appreciated the collaboration with the DUT Sport Studies Department. She revealed that the DUT School Engagement Project has been going since 2018. She also mentioned that this was the third tournament hosted since they started the Sports Tournament in 2021 and both educators and learners have affirmed the value of the tournament in promoting sport, leadership skills, healthy lifestyle and community among the seven partner schools.
Dr Chantell Gouws, Head of Sport Studies Department, said that this tournament gave students a chance to do work integrated learning. She mentioned that students were assigned to do their work in the tournament in fields such as technical, team managers, and refereeing in netball and soccer. “The boys did well in netball because it was their first time. The Sports Studies Department offered trophies for the winners, and we also recognised the best player of the tournament,” added Gouws.
In 2023, Bechet High School won the Boys Soccer by beating Hunt Road Secondary and Durban Girls Secondary School won against Bechet High School in the Girls Soccer. In Girls Netball Durban Girls lost against Overport Secondary.
The sport coordinator of Bechet High School, Elizabeth Usher said, “I am expecting the cup both in soccer and netball; we got fresh teams as the matrics of 2023 had left but being here excited me.”
Dr Gouws announced the winners of the 2024 tournament: girls netball, boys netball, girls soccer, boys soccer, along with the best player of the tournament. Defending champions Bechet High Boys Soccer made history by beating Overport Secondary on penalties. In the Girls Soccer, Durban Girls Secondary defending champion competed with Sparks Estate Secondary; unfortunately Sparks Estate Secondary lost on the penalties.
In Boys Netball, Bechet High won the cup although it was their first time. The best player of the tournament for the Girls Netball was Phindile Sibisi from Sparks Estate Secondary and for the Boys Soccer it was Sheldon Fredericks from Bechet High.
The coach from Bechet High School, Singabenkosi Shoba, expressed her emotions on the challenges they went through in gathering the Boys Netball team: “We had three weeks in training the boys, they managed to win, DUT has done well, and the experience was good but it was sad that Durban Girls Secondary beat us in the finals.”
Netball player, Fisokuhle Mbanjwa from Durban Girls Secondary, said that it was important to play with dedication and communication which was what made them winners. She concluded by saying that the coach was very strict and encouraged them to follow the rules. The tournament achieved its goal of fostering a spirit of collaboration and friendly competition among the players, leaving a lasting impression on all involved.
Pictured: Some of the winners of the 7-school tournament at the Hoy Park Sport Complex.
Photography: Mnqobi Ngobese
