The biggest interschool sports competition and development programme in the country was launched last month.
Sponsored to the tune of R25-million, the loveLife Games is a partnership between the United School Sports Association of South Africa, loveLife and the government. It will see competition, taking place on district, regional and provincial levels in a variety of sporting codes, culminate in national championships from September 30 to October 6. The age groups participating will be from the under-12s to the under 18s.
An important part of the initiative is to tackle the HIV/Aids epidemic among the youth by encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle, and raising the youth’s awareness of the benefits of positive sexuality.
The 38th Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven rugby week was wrapped up on July 14, with South Western Districts (SWD) trouncing the Blue Bulls from Gauteng 26-20.
The annual event is seen as a crucial step in maintaining South Africa’s high standards in international rugby, and in developing talent from all race groups. For the last nine years, a quota of 50% black participation in school-based rugby has been in place.
Top teams out of the 20 fielded included SWD, Western Province and Boland, all of which remained unbeaten throughout the week of tough, competitive rugby.
– The Teacher/M&Media, Johannesburg, August 2001.