Kearsney Soccer Tournament ready for kick-off
The third annual Kearsney Soccer Tournament kicks off on Thursday and brings together 36 school teams and nearly 600 young footballers from across South Africa and Botswana for a thrilling three days of all-out action.
Hosted by Kearsney College, in Botha’s Hill, the tournament has rapidly become a highlight on schools’ football calendar.
This year, the competition features 16 boys’ high school teams, eight girls’ high school teams and 12 primary school teams.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
Last year’s winners in the three divisions, Pinetown Boys’ High (senior boys), St Mary’s DSG (senior girls) and Merchiston Prep (junior boys), will be back to defend their titles.
Pinetown, after recently claiming the Kloof High Football Tournament title against an elite field, will, undoubtedly, be the team to beat.
Other participating boys’ high school teams from KwaZulu-Natal are Durban High School (DHS), Glenwood High, Clifton College, Ashton Ballito, Grace College, Maqhutshana Secondary, Siyajabula High, Queensburgh High, and the hosts, Kearsney College.
Gauteng’s interests are represented by Curro Hazeldean, Sutherland High, and Trinity House Randpark Ridge.
Urban Academy, from Gqeberha, and Curro Somerset West fly the flag for the Eastern and Western Cape respectively.
Joining St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, in the girls’ high school competition are KZN’s Durban Girls’ High, Danville Park Girls, Sastri College, Crawford La Lucia, and Ashton Ballito.
The field is completed by Curro Hazeldean, from Pretoria, and Trinity House Randpark Ridge, from Johannesburg.
Twelve primary school sides will join them, including Broadhurst Primary, from Gaberone, in Botswana.
The local teams are Highbury Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Winston Park, Atholl Heights, Westville Senior Primary, John Wesley, Ashton Ballito, Reddam Ballito, and Clifton Prep. Pelham Senior Primary and last year’s winners, Merchiston, will make the short trip from Pietermaritzburg.
“We are excited to welcome players, coaches and supporters to what promises to be another exciting and competitive tournament,” said Kearsney headmaster, Patrick Lees.
“The Kearsney Soccer Tournament provides a platform for young athletes to test their skills, foster school spirit and build lasting friendships through sport.”
In addition to fierce competition, the event aims to promote development in youth football, featuring both boys’ and girls’ teams and encouraging participation from primary and high school levels, he said.
The tournament is sponsored by Meondo Holdings, with Chemlog adding their support.
Kearsney’s Coffee Shop will be open throughout the tournament, which runs through to Saturday, 19 July, and spectators are encouraged to enjoy some thrilling games and tasty treats.
Fixtures and results will be on the Kearsney Events App, which is available on Google Play and iStore.
