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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
National honours for Pretoria's young pipe band maestros
The Pretoria Boys High School Pipe Band has achieved a major success by winning top honours at the South African Pipe Band Championships 2025 held at St Benedict's College. The band's calendar remains active as it is scheduled for a public appearance at the Pretoria High School for Girls' Spring Fair on September 6. They competed in the Novice Juvenile Grade and took first place in three major performance categories: March Selection, MSR (march, strathspey, and reel), and Drum Corps. James Orr, master in charge of the pipe band, said these victories clinched the prestigious Novice Juvenile South African Champion title. According to Orr, their journey began at the beginning of the year, and they spent several months preparing for the competition with the support of pipers, drummers, and tutors. 'Preparation for the SA Championships began in January, with intensive rehearsals building up in the months leading to the competition. 'All other contests in the season served as opportunities to refine our performances and hone our craft,' he said. The hard work didn't stop with just one title, as the band also secured the coveted Champion of Champions award, determined by cumulative results throughout the national competition season. 'By consistently winning at national contests, Pretoria Boys High School secured this title for the 2025 season,' said Orr. He said their performances at the championships showcased not only their discipline and technical mastery but also their deep musicality. Orr explained that the march selection, which was part of their performance, featured the traditional 2/4 marches 'Marie's Wedding', 'The Brown Haired Maiden', and 'The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel'. He added that the MSR set, a combination of march, strathspey [dance], and reel, demonstrated the band's ability to balance structure and expression, delivering both complexity and energy in their playing. Orr emphasised the important role of student leadership in the band's success. 'They work closely with our dedicated instructors and school staff to maintain high musical standards, strong discipline, and team cohesion. Their leadership has been instrumental in our success this year,' he said. Back on campus, the band's achievements have been met with a wave of celebration and pride. 'Fellow learners, staff, and Old Boys have shared messages of congratulations, and the victory has been warmly celebrated within the school community,' said Orr. Orr said Pretoria Boys High has long supported music and culture alongside its strong academic and sporting traditions. He explained that the school offers dedicated rehearsal spaces, instruments, uniforms, and performance opportunities for band members. 'Our headmaster, Mr Greg Hassenkamp, has been exceptionally supportive of the band and even visited us during our final rehearsal to wish us well before the championships.' He said that the school ensures that any learner can be part of the band, regardless of prior musical experience. Orr added that beginners follow a structured training programme, and pipes are available for loan to those wishing to learn. 'Many of our current members began with no background in piping or drumming,' said Orr. The recent accolades mark a significant high point for the band, which has consistently ranked among the best in its grade both nationally and regionally in recent years. 'The 2025 season marks a high point, with the band achieving both the SA Champion and Champion of Champions titles for the first time in a decade,' Orr said. ALSO READ: Tshwane cracks down on car washes using fire hydrants illegally Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Tyrell Stewart does the heavy lifting and needs some light help
Olympic weightlifter Tyrell Stewart has been selected to represent South Africa in the U17 men's 65kg category at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships to be held in India from August 24-30. It was a mixture of heavy lifting, hours spent in the gym, and the mindset to always do better that helped guide the way for him to this ultimate show of glory. Read more: Is it safe for children to lift weights? His coach Steve Kafang, who couldn't be any prouder of him, said weightlifting is a sport that requires high skill to be able to perform well. 'This year was a big year for us,' he said. It all began with Tyrell's first competition in February, where, while performing the snatch as well as the clean and jerk, he lifted a collective 144kg. The second competition of the year, held in June, was the Gauteng Championships. There, while still performing the snatch and clean and jerk, with a body weight of 62.4kg, Tyrell lifted a sum of 158kg. 'This was built up to the performance at the SA Championships,' explained Kafang. Held in the Western Cape in July, the SA Championships also saw nothing but the best from this Northcliff High School learner. There, lifting in his second attempt at the snatch, he achieved his Personal Best. All in all, Tyrell ended the competition having lifted a total of 162kg, a performance that ultimately led to him being made Champion of Champions. The title makes him the best athlete in the country in the U17 category. To show the world his prowess, he is asking for the community's help to assist in sending him to India to compete in the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships at the end of this month. 'This is a dream come true and my first international competition and a huge step in my journey as an athlete,' said Tyrell. Help Tyrell take a snatch at his dreams by following this Back a Buddy link: Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boxer secures silver at national champs
Shane du Plooy, a talented boxer from the Vikings Boxing Club, secured a well-deserved silver medal at the South African National Boxing Organisation National Boxing Youth and Elite Championships. The championships, which took place earlier in July in Pretoria, saw over 100 fights from top boxers across the country. Shane fought in the welterweight category (67kg) and put on an impressive display, winning his quarterfinal bout with a technical knockout and his semifinal bout with a knockout. Although he lost in the finals with a 2–1 division decision, Shane's performance was commendable. 'I'm proud of my silver medal,' Shane said, beaming with pride, adding that his opponent at the national championships is the one he defeated at Gauteng Champs. His coach and father, Hendrik du Plooy, couldn't agree more. 'We worked very hard, and it was his first time going to the SA Championships,' Hendrik said. 'We are very proud of him, and he is bringing gold next year.' Shane's determination and skill in the ring have earned him recognition, and it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of boxing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Jo-Lee's power punch earns Gauteng call-up
Jo-Lee van Tonder, a young boxer from Vikings Boxing Academy, has been selected to represent Gauteng at the upcoming South African Championships. • Also read: Vikings Boxing Club ready to conquer the West Rand Public Relations Officer at the club, Simoné Louw, stated that this is a significant milestone in Jo-Lee's sporting journey and a proud moment for the club. 'Jo-Lee Tonder began boxing at the age of 12 and was initially drawn to the sport as a means of self-defence after experiencing bullying, where she quickly developed a passion for the discipline and competitiveness that boxing demands,' Simoné said. Jo-Lee added that what started out as self-defence quickly evolved into something she loved. She wasn't just pursuing fitness, she was building a stronger version of herself. Jo-Lee works full-time and trains after hours. Boxing has become a permanent part of her life. 'Training has become such a natural part of my routine that it doesn't feel like something I have to fit in anymore. When I miss a session, it feels like something's missing,' she explained. She describes herself as a strategic counter-boxer who relies more on precision and timing than brute strength. My mindset is my strongest weapon. I stay calm and focused under pressure, which helps me make smart decisions in the ring,' she added. Simoné continued that her selection to the Gauteng team is not just a personal victory but a moment of pride for her coach and the club as a whole. Coach Phillip du Randt, head coach at Vikings Boxing Academy, spoke highly of her character and work ethic. 'Jo-Lee sets herself apart with her winning attitude and personality. She never complains, and she always rises to the challenge. She's a beast that puts a lot of other people in the backseat,' he believes. Phillip also noted the broader impact of her selection to the Gauteng team, which opens doors for more female boxers, not just at club level but also provincially and nationally, making the club proud. Jo-Lee acknowledged that she has faced her fair share of stereotyping in the sport. People often say I'm too petite or pretty to be a boxer, but that's exactly why I keep showing up. You don't have to look a certain way to be strong,' she asserted. She stated that her training in preparation for the SA Championships includes both physical conditioning and mental preparation, where she is pushing harder than ever and reminding herself of how far she has come. 'Behind every fight are sore muscles, sacrifices and moments of self-doubt. But I've stayed committed,' she said. Phillip believes Jo-Lee has the potential to turn professional, and if she chooses to compete professionally, he foresees only good things ahead, both in boxing and in life. Jo-Lee concluded that she draws inspiration from world champion Katie Taylor and credits her mother as a constant source of strength and support. Her message to other young women considering the sport is clear: do not be afraid to try, as boxing teaches you more than how to fight. It teaches you how to believe in yourself. She is set to compete at the South African Championships at the beginning of July and is currently seeking sponsorship to support her journey. She will be competing in the Women's Elite Bantamweight Category (51kg – 54kg). If you are interested in assisting her, you can contact her coach, Phillip du Randt, on 081 212 9143. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Athletics SA needs to be reasonable with its selection criteria
Many athletes ignored ASA's requirement to compete at two Grand Prix meetings on the domestic circuit this year, in order to be selected for national teams. Middle-distance runners in action at the Cape Milers Club meeting in Cape Town, one of three ASA Grand Prix events held this year. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images Criteria is obviously important when selecting a team in any sport, but that criteria also needs to be reasonable. In track and field, it's standard for the national federation to require athletes to compete at the SA Championships, which makes sense. Athletics South Africa (ASA) do offer exemptions for individuals who are ill, injured or not based in South Africa, so it's not an unreasonable request. In some ways this season, ASA has offered athletes more leeway than usual. In other ways, however, the federation has been too pushy. Though they are not injured or ill, and they're all based in South Africa, four of the country's best athletes – sprinters Akani Simbine and Lythe Pillay, hurdler Marione Fourie and javelin thrower Jo-Ane du Plessis – have seemingly been given exemptions from competing at the SA Championships in Potchefstroom this week, in order to participate at the opening leg of the Diamond League series in China. And this is a good move. Any professional athletes who are invited to Diamond League meetings should be allowed to go, in order to represent South Africa in a series that is considered the pinnacle of the sport outside major global championships, and to make some decent money in the process. Grand Prix meetings However, the ASA criteria this year also requires athletes to compete at two local Grand Prix meetings. This is unreasonable. South African athletes are not contracted to ASA, and it's unfair to force them to compete at domestic meetings outside the SA Championships, especially when they can't earn much in terms of prize money. In response, most of the country's top athletes ignored that clause, opting not to abide by it, which has left ASA in a sticky situation. If the federation enforces the rule, it will have to select a very small, under-strength team for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. So by ignoring an unreasonable demand, the athletes have forced the federation into a corner Refusing not to be bullied, the athletes made the right decision, and ASA must now scratch that clause in its criteria, which shouldn't have been included in the first place.
