Latest news with #QueensHighSchool
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Germiston athlete eyes national success and university scholarship
Lucie Ilunga, a 400m and 800m sprint specialist, has come a long way since her early days as a netball player. Now in Grade 12 at Queens High School, she shares her journey into athletics, guided by coach Elvis Khoza. Ilunga only began to take athletics seriously in Grade 8, despite having a strong netball background. ALSO READ: CGA hosts cross-country in Germiston 'Running wasn't really my thing,' she recalled. 'But I took part in a school athletics event and, to my surprise, finished 29th.' After that race, Khoza approached her with an invitation to train. 'At the time, my heart was still with netball. I had just played my last matches at the district games and had been selected for the provincial team, so I didn't think much of it at first,' she explained. But Khoza's persistence paid off. 'He convinced me to give running a try, and my journey has been fascinating ever since.' A promising athlete with global potential Now affiliated with Thembisa Athletics Club, Ilunga has made remarkable progress. In her first year, she won the 800m at the OR Tambo Socini Games and qualified to compete in Italy. 'Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other plans,' she said, referring to the cancelled trip. ALSO READ: CGA announces team to lead SA at Paris Olympic The following year, in Grade 9, she placed second in the 800m at the same games but was unable to make the national team due to unforeseen circumstances. Balancing athletics with academics and leadership Beyond the track, Ilunga shines academically. She has served on the school's Representative Council of Learners (RCL) for four consecutive years and currently holds the position of Deputy Head Girl. 'I've received academic merits since Grade 11 and was awarded the best leader award,' she said. Despite a demanding school year, Ilunga is working hard to secure a scholarship for university. 'Next year I aim to study something I'm passionate about, like business management.' She continues her training at Germiston Stadium as she prepares for upcoming competitions. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Girls from Queens High impress at rugby week under coach Xosana
Girls from Queens High impress at rugby week under coach Xosana Lindi Xosana, head coach of Queens High School's women's rugby team, shares her insights on the growing prominence of women in rugby. She highlights the significance of the 2025 FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week, where eight of her players participated, showcasing their talent on a national stage. Although Queens High School wasn't competing directly, Xosana took pride in seeing her players' hard work pay off, while cheering them on from the sidelines. ALSO READ: Golden Lions and Border shine at Rugby Week kickoff Xosana, the mastermind behind Queens High School's rugby programme, oversees three divisions (U14, U16, and U18). Xosana's own journey began when she was inspired to play rugby in 2014, eventually transitioning into a player-coach role. Her passion and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the school's rugby programme. She took on the coaching role at Queens High School, and despite having limited knowledge of the sport, she learned on the job. She taught herself and pursued coaching certifications—starting with her Level 1 certificate and now working towards Level 2. Xosana has built a reputation in women's rugby, coaching various teams, including Gauteng Women's Rugby in Springs and Valke Women's Rugby. ALSO READ: Join Simmer Rugby's junior programme She has produced talented players who have gone on to compete at a national level. She highlights her success with the Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute and Valke Women's Rugby, stating, 'When Covid-19 hit, I had already been invited to coach at the Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute and with the Valke women's team. In the Valke U20 squad, I also produced a Springbok player who went on to wear the national colours.' Xosana has successfully coached all three Queens High School divisions since her return from Gauteng Women's Rugby Institute in 2024. She emphasises her advocacy for women's rugby, stating, 'As a coach, I fight for our spotlight as women in the rugby space.' Queens High School hosted the Girls Rugby Week tournament, leveraging its multiple fields to manage the matches efficiently. U16 and U18 games ran concurrently. Xosana recalls her return to Queens High School in 2024, where she was surprised by the number of girls who showed interest in joining the rugby team. 'I announced in the assembly that all girls who wanted to join the team should come to the sports ground after school to register. At that time, none of the players knew me, because I had left for a few years. Ninety girls showed up, wanting to register.' Since then, she has produced talented players who have competed in the Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), a platform that showcases young talent and provides a pathway to higher levels of rugby. ALSO READ: Elsburg Eagles Rugby: Unstoppable in Valke President's Cup with historic victories Xosana also coaches the Raiders Rugby Club (women's division), which competes in the Golden Lions Women's League. The team has delivered impressive performances, including a 102–7 win over Alberton Rugby Club (women's). They continue their strong record, with only one loss, a narrow 24-22 defeat to Pirates. Xosana emphasises the need to improve fitness to compete with top teams like the University of Johannesburg. 'Otherwise, we are confident that we will finish the league in top position if not first.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Final day of FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week delivers thrilling clashes at Queens High
With a brisk start to the morning, the final day of the 2025 FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week kicked off on Thursday, 4 July, at Queens High School in Johannesburg. Teams arrived focused and energised, bringing their A-game to the field in a series of tightly contested finals that highlighted the depth of talent in South African girls' rugby. The day opened with an exciting match between U18 Eastern Province and Zimbabwe, setting a high standard for the games to follow. Border's U16 side then went head-to-head with the Pumas in a dynamic clash that kept spectators on edge. Also read: Thrilling clashes mark day two of FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week The U18 Bulls took on Boland in a physical encounter, showcasing strategic play and relentless defence. Meanwhile, fans were treated to two intense derbies as both the U18 and U16 Golden Lions and Western Province teams faced off. Also read: Rising stars shine at 2025 FNB Girls Rugby Week in Johannesburg with dominant wins and Springbok support The day wrapped up with cheers and high spirits, marking the end of a successful week of competition and camaraderie. The FNB Girls Rugby Week continues to serve as a critical platform for scouting and developing the next generation of Springboks. Also read: Girls' rugby talent on show as 2025 FNB Youth Week kicks off in Johannesburg
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Final day of FNB U16 and U18 Girls Week delivers thrilling clashes at Queens High
Final day of FNB U16 and U18 Girls Week delivers thrilling clashes at Queens High With a brisk start to the morning, the final day of the 2025 FNB U16 and U18 Girls Week kicked off today at Queens High School in Johannesburg. Bedfordview and Edenvale News reports that teams arrived focused and energised, bringing their A-game to the field in a series of tightly contested finals that highlighted the depth of talent in South African girls' rugby. The day opened with an exciting match between U18 Eastern Province and Zimbabwe, setting a high standard for the games to follow. Border's U16 side then went head-to-head with the Pumas in a dynamic clash that kept spectators on edge. The U18 Bulls took on Boland in a physical encounter, showcasing strategic play and relentless defence. Meanwhile, fans were treated to two intense derbies as both the U18 and U16 Golden Lions and Western Province teams faced off. The day wrapped up with cheers and high spirits, marking the end of a successful week of competition and camaraderie. The FNB Girls Week continues to serve as a critical platform for scouting and developing the next generation of Springboks. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Leopards overpower Valke in dominant FNB Girls Rugby Week performance
The Leopards delivered a powerful performance in Match 2 of the second day at the 2025 FNB U16 and U18 Girls Rugby Week, shutting out the Valke with a convincing 15-0 victory at Queens High School in Johannesburg. From the opening whistle, the Leopards controlled the game through smart positional play and relentless pressure, Bedfordview Edenvale News reports. Their tactical dominance left the Valke with limited scoring opportunities throughout the match. Captain Lumka Mtebele led by example, capping off the performance with a decisive try in the closing stages. Her leadership and impactful play earned her the Player of the Match accolade. With this commanding win, the Leopards have set a high standard as the tournament progresses, showcasing depth, discipline and skill in the youth women's rugby arena.
