SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - PMB Northern Regional Results

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Pietermaritzburg North Regional

St Anne’s Diocesan: Sunday 11 March

Retaining their title for the seventh consecutive year, St Anne’s Diocesan College remain the champions of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Sunday 11 March.

St Anne’s took on The Wykeham Collegiate in the finals for the region. In an enthralling 25 minutes, the whistle blew with one goal separating the two teams, 2-1 in favour of the defending champions.

Wykeham Collegiate kept all their panache for the main game, having gone down to Saints earlier in the day during the round robin match which ended 3 nil to the hosts. Fifteen seconds into the game, Saints revealed their attacking prowess with their first attempt going right of goals. 

It didn’t take Saints long to slot in their first goal. Just under two minutes had ticked away when Danni Chessenski, camped out on the left hand post, received a perfect pass and quietly slapped the ball in. 

Eight minutes into the game, Wykeham’s Loren Gerrard dazzled the Saints defence with a run down the left side line, crabbed her way along the baseline and fired in a shot directly to the waiting keeper. The clearance went directly back to the waiting Gerrard who followed up her shot with more determination and slotted in the all important equaliser. 

Another three minutes ticked by when a poorly strategized 16 hit from TWC was charged down. Saints capitalised, nailing in a shot from the top of circle by Danni Rhodes. The attempt was deflected by a defender landing in the box, sealing the win for Saints.

Saints had a total of eleven shots at goal, with four hitting their target of which two were goals and two being defended, four going right of the upright and three veering to the left. Wykeham’s defence was exemplary only giving away a handful of short corners to their opposition.

Robin Jones, coach for the winning team said, “It was a fantastic day for hockey. It is always difficult to maintain the same standard throughout a day like this, and we knew the finals would be tough but the team did well - I am very, very proud of them.”

Sam Scott, coach for The Wykeham Collegiate said, “This tournament provides experience and a good opportunity for us to see where we are as a team and where we need to go.  We may not have won, but the finals provided a great game for the players and spectators alike, and the TWC girls gave it 100%, so we could not have asked for more.”

Top goal scorer for the tournament, was St Anne’s Vice Captain and star player, Danni Rhodes who netted an impressive 18 goals in total out of her teams 33.

Most Promising Umpire was awarded to Voortrekker High School’s Lethokuhle Mngadi. Mngadi took charge in the final showing fabulous calm nerves in the tense, action packed game.

Saints is the third team to secure their berth at the Grand Finals. They join Ferrum High School representing the Northern KZN Regional and newcomers Epworth College, champions of the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

Results

1 St Anne’s Diocesian, 2 The Wykeham Collegiate, 3 Carter High School, 4 Treverton, 5 Voortrekker High School , 6 Grace College.

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - PMB Central Regional Results

Pietermaritzburg Central Regional

Pietermaritzburg Girls High School: Saturday 10 March

The second tournament of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge welcomes a new regional winner after Epworth School dethroned the defending champions in the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional that took place at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School on Saturday 10 March.

Epworth School took on defending champs, St John’s DSG in the first pool game of the day and in the final. At the end of both whistles, the scoreline was unchanged with neither team managing to net a goal. In both, St John’s held slightly more possession, firing off a handful of unsuccessful chances not finding the back of the net.

In the main game, the hanging result went to a penalty shoot out with three players from each team lining up in an attempt to seal the win for their team. St John’s DSG bravely stepped up first, with Christin Stubbs’ attack shaving the outside of the post. Epworth’s Tayla-Jade Weiss stepped up to the plate, charging forward and edging the ball into the goals. In a replay of their first attempt, St John’s second shot taken by Laiken Peters sadly also shaved the outside of the upright. Epworth’s Emma-Jane Smythe advanced determinedly, drawing the St John’s keeper Courtney Dyssell right, and successfully rolling the ball under Dyssell’s defensive dive. 

In the final round of the 8 second penalties, both attempts didn’t find the back of the box. The final score was 2-0 in Epworth’s favour.

Coach for Epworth, Kegan Walters said, “This was my first time coaching the team and within this tournament, so I am very pleased with their win. This is a new team with loads of talent, and enthusiasm and we are getting to a point where we are playing exciting hockey. They fared very well, considering this was their second time playing together, after a tough match against St Mary’s on Thursday last week. We are hoping that loads of positive things come from this."

St John’s DSG coach Lyndall ‘Binks’ Robertson said, “The team played positively, but at the end of the day you have to put the ball in the back of the box. I was pleased with how they played, it was a good pre-season start and we are excited about the league season ahead.”

The tournament had the format of pool games, with the top two teams of both pools squaring off in the semi-finals. First up were 2017 winners, St John’s who met Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. Girls’ High had dominated the region winning the title six consecutive times since its inception. Paige McGladdery from St John’s knocked in the only goal, advancing her team to the finals.

In the second semi, Epworth took on Howick High School. Emma- Ane Smythe and Emily Cobbald both netted goals for their team, Epworth with the final whistle resulting in a 2-0 win. 

68 goals were scored in the twelve pool games that lasted 25 minutes each, with a change over after 12 minutes. 

Stars of the day were newcomers Newton High School who in their defeat showed magnificent team spirit throughout the day.

Most Promising Umpire was awarded to Howick High School’s May Mazibuko. A very strict Mazibuko officiated the final in fine fashion, flashing a green card in the second half.

Epworth School joins winners of the Northern KZN Regional Ferrum High School, the first team to advance through to the Grand Finals. The next tournament takes place at 3 Schools Trust this coming weekend with St Henry’s hosting the Durban Central Regional.

Results:

1 Epworth School, 2 St John’s DSG, 3= Pietermaritzburg High School, 3= Howick High School, 5 Alexandra High School, 6 Russel High School, 7 Maritzburg Christian College, 8 Newtown High School

Jozi Book Launch - March 15 for Josh Crickmay's Big Year

OSH’S BIG YEAR: A STORY OF HOPE - BOOK LAUNCH

From a broken, suicidal, autistic teenager, who dropped out of school at 15, to a passionate young adventurer, comes a remarkable 300-page self-published coffee table book, Josh’s Big Year which will be launched in Johannesburg on Thursday, March 15 Josh Crickmay's publishing debut is a celebration of courage and triumph of the human spirit.

In 2012 15-year-old South African school pupil Josh Crickmay, unable to cope with the demands of the classroom dropped out of school. What followed was a deep and debilitating depression kindled by the belief that he would never be able to fend for himself. Severely suicidal, Josh landed in hospital and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or High Functioning Autism.

Certain that unless they did something radical, they would lose their only child, Josh’s parents Andrew and Kathy, quit their jobs and embarked on a quest to give Josh a reason to live and to function in life without a formal education. They did this by building on and kindling Josh’s interests in birding, photography and writing.

 For an entire year they travelled to every corner of Southern Africa and spent seven weeks in the Amazon and Andes in what is known in birding circles as a “Big Year” which involves identifying as many bird species as possible in a single year, inspired by the movie of the same name.

The entire project represents Josh’s own work from photography to layout and design. His writing is a delight, honest, self-effacing and laugh out loud funny in places but sobering and tear-filled in others.

Ernie and Liesl Els had this to say: “This book has a transformative effect; like turning on a flashlight in a dark room. For readers the book serves as a delight for the senses – visually, thanks to the diverse and brilliant photography, and emotionally, through the way in which the book navigates Josh’s emotional journey”.  This sentiment is shared by founding art director of Getaway magazine James Berrange who said “the effect this book is going to have can hardly be imagined”.

The book took nearly 3 years to write, with the first edition completed when he was 16. The book is hoped to impact and give encouragement to a world where one in 68 people are thought to be on the Autism spectrum. 

Josh’s plan is that Josh’s Big Year will be the first in a series of books as he video blogs his adventures and highlights conservation issues.

The book can be purchased online at www.joshcrickmay.com . 

SPAR KZN School Girls Hockey Challenge - Durban Central Regional

Durban Central Regional hosted by St Henry’s

3 Schools Trust: Saturday, March 17

It has been seven years of seamless victory for Durban Girls’ College in the Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge. 

Since the tournament’s inception the school has held a tight grip on the regional honours, as well as claiming victory in three out of seven Grand Finals.

Participating teams will be itching to challenge DGC’s stronghold in this regional to be hosted by St Henry’s at the 3 Schools’ Trust astroturf in Glenwood on Saturday, March 17 from 07:30am.

Seven central Durban schools will take to the astro including defending champs Durban Girls College, Durban Girls' High School, Inanda Seminary, Hoërskool Port Natal, Maris Stella, Ridge Park High School and hosts, St Henry’s.

Speaking from the sidelines during team selections, Durban Girls’ College coach Kerry Gaze said, “We will pretty much have a similar team to last year, as we only lost two matrics. It is looking good. The indoor league has provided us with some good games, and we have enough time to prepare for this regional. We are looking forward to it.” Gaze is supported by seasoned hockey coach Bell Meek, who will manage the team.

The tournament will take the form of a round robin with a total of 21 games being played. Each game is played one-way and lasts 20 minutes. A win will get a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw 1 point and a loss 0. First and second places will then go head to head in a final match to determine the Durban Central champs.

The winning team will join nine other teams from regionals around KZN at the Grand Finals, which takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on July 21 and 22. The first team to reserve a spot at the finals is Ferrum High School, winners of the recently played Northern KZN regional. The PMB Central and PMB North regionals will take place this weekend on March 10 and 11 at Pietermaritzburg Girls High and St Anne’s respectively.

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page.

Flatfoot Dance Company presents its 15th anniversary celebratory season of dance theatre

“things left unsaid”

21 – 25 March 2018

 In a remarkable feet of perseverance in the arts, Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2018 as one of South Africa leading contemporary dance companies.

With an international touring reputation for excellence and a host of national awards under its belt, Flatfoot’s arrival at this momentous 15th year mark is a testament to a dedicated team of dancers and administrators. Founder and Artistic Director, Lliane Loots says; “it feels amazing to suddenly wake up and look at the calendar and see that we have been doing this for 15 years. It has been the best 15 years of my life where I have interacted with literally thousands of dancers in our community dance development programmes in KZN, and in which I have had the privilege of working with the professional dancers in the company who have journey alongside me to give Flatfoot the reputation that is has.”

Celebrating this significant moment, Flatfoot is offering Durban audiences a full-length season (21 – 25 March @ Sneddon Theatre) of new dance theatre work that is sure to solidify its longevity for another 15 years. With a reputation of edgy, controversial, beautiful and intelligent dance, Flatfoot has titled its 15th anniversary season “things left unsaid”. Diving heart first into the zeitgeist of contemporary South African identity, this remarkable season offers two new dance works by Sifiso Khumalo and Lliane Loots. 

Sifiso Khumalo has worked with Flatfoot for 12 of the 15 years of its existence and steps up, for its 15th anniversary season, to take on a magnificent choreographic role in his work “Ndlelanhle” (meaning ‘go well on your journey’). Over the past 6 years Khumalo’s reputation as an innovative choreographer has been growing with him recently having been awarded a prestigious ‘JOMBA! On the Edge’ choreographic grant for 2017. His insightful and heartfelt attention to traditional Zulu cultural identity and how contemporary modern life has shifted how we think about ourselves, is once again given air in this new work of his.

Talking about the impulse for creating “Ndlelanhle”, Khumalo says, “Growing up in Zulu culture when you leave home for a certain journey the elders would give you a special prayer or blessing. I worry that these small things have been forgotten. These words and blessing matter so much; they are a reminder that we, as black urban Zulu men and women, still have ancestors guiding us. In“Ndlelanhle” I wanted to go back to these small blessing spoken to us as young adults leaving home and to look at how these words might affect who we become.”

Khumalo’s “Ndlelanhle” also launches the professional career of Flatfoot’s newest crop of male dancers. Siseko Duba, Ndumiso Dube, Qhawe Ndimande, Sbonga Ndlovu and Mthoko Mkhwanazi have all completed a 5 year professional development training programmer run by Flatfoot (and funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa) and step onto the stage with grace, skill and dedication that will simply take your breath away. Flatfoot Dance Company felt that this 15th anniversary was indeed the right moment to reveal and celebrate the incredible journey of these Newlands and KwaMashu based dancers.

The second half of the evening present Lliane Loots’s newest offering “things left unsaid” and is part of her on-going artistic dance journey into seeking truth and honesty in her dance making. In a collaborative process, Loots has worked with Jabu Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Sifiso Khumalo and the five new dancers to painfully interrogate the ‘things we leave unsaid’ – be these words and feelings of love or moments of social injustice and terror. Loots’s reputation for politically edge work that wraps an iron fist in a velvet glove, is once again sedimented in this dance theatre work that will make you weep for the sheer delicate beauty of it, and then will have you spinning for what it reveals.

Loots says, “Like many of my recent works, “things left unsaid” returns to what fascinates me right now and this is quite basically an earnest plea for intimacy in spite of the violence of our world. I journey with the dancers into some pretty horrifying personal and political territory and am reminded that we are all still standing – and still dancing. In the end this is a triumph of the heart; the bigness of the South African heart.”

Loots has worked alongside long time collaborators, Wesley Maherry (lighting), Karen Logan for video installations, and spoken word poet Iain ‘ewok’ Robinson who has added insightful text to “things left unsaid”.

Catch Flatfoot Dance Company’s 15th anniversary season “things left unsaid” at the Sneddon Theatre from 21 – 25 March 2018. Tickets available through Computicket and range from R65 to R85. Opening night (21 March @ 7.30pm: Heritage Day) is the special 15th anniversary celebration launch of “things left unsaid” and tickets will be sold for R100 as part of a fundraising drive for the company. The evening will include a glass of sparkling wine after the show.

For more info email Lliane Loots loots@ukzn.ac.za

Manor Gardens Lit Quiz Whizzes do it again!

Photo - left to right Michaela Crankshaw, Jemma Kasavan, Jaskaran Rajaruthnam, and Sam Walker - on their way to New Zealand to represent SA in the World Finals Lit Quiz Champs in July.

Manor Gardens Primary School, a small public school tucked away behind UKZN in Durban, has done it again by winning the National Kids Literature Championship this year, and all going to plan, will represent South Africa in the World Finals in Auckland, New Zealand in July this year.

 The school’s first team comprising Michaela Crankshaw, Jemma Kasavan, Jaskaran Rajaruthnam and Sam Walker took first position in the national champs held at St David’s in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 24. 

 “This is a wonderful result for our small public school and we are all very proud of our Kids Lit Quiz champions who were up against a number of bigger and more affluent schools,” says Carol Lottering, the principal of Manor Gardens Primary. “We are extremely grateful for the effort and energy that Isobel Sobey, the Media Centre teacher who co-ordinates and coaches the teams, and other teachers at this school who work tirelessly at constantly raising the bar in education, and their incredible ability to instil a love for reading here.”

 Kids Lit Quiz is the brain child of Wayne Mills, a university lecturer from New Zealand, who came up with the concept twenty-seven years ago. He calls it “The Sport of Reading”.  He developed the quiz to promote reading for pleasure and to reward good readers in the same way that sports stars are rewarded by their schools and communities. The first quiz took place in 1991.  In that first year 14 teams took part. Today it has grown into a hugely popular annual event spanning five continents with +/- 20 000 children participating in heats throughout the year.   

“The team will be up against tough competition from China, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia,” explains Isobel Sobey.  “The four members in our team are all on Grade 7 and are avid readers with deep interest in books.  They have read and worked hard for this since Grade 1 and are deserving winners. They will have a wonderful time in New Zealand and soak up all the lessons and experiences that come their way.” 

 “Now we begin the hard work of intense coaching for the international event, as well as fundraising to help the children reach an amazing goal,” she explains. “The Kids Lit Quiz organization in New Zealand covers accommodation, meals and activities for the teams but transport to the World Final is not covered. So we are gratefully accepting any and all donations or fundraising ideas to cover the travelling costs for the four team members and two adult coaches. We estimate these costs to be in the region of R100,000. As the school is a registered Public Benefit Organization (tax reference 930000373) it can provide receipts for tax purposes for donations of R1000 or more.”

 Manor Gardens Primary is appealing to Durban citizens, businesses, corporates and past pupils to help get their school to New Zealand by making a small (or large) contribution.  For more information contact Isobel Sobey on 031 2611401 or isobey@mgps.org.za.

Interview with SA Indoor player, Robin Jones from Pietermaritzburg - SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge

PMB Central Regional: Saturday 10 March at PMB Girls’ High
PMB Northern Regional: Sunday 11 March at St Anne’s College
Interview with Robin Jones 

“Incredible, cold, fantastic! What an experience!”

This is how SA Indoor player, Robin Jones from Pietermaritzburg, described his recent experience in Berlin two weeks ago where he competed in the FIH Indoor World Championships.

“It was an eye opener being a part of a hockey culture that is so passionate, and so professional about their sport. My hockey career has allowed me a number of years’ experience in Europe, both competing and living there to grow my skills. But being part of the World Champs this February was something special!”

The defender who has donned the green and gold jersey a total of 70 times, 54 times for the outdoor team and 16 occasions for the indoor side and has travelled far and wide for the game he loves. Collecting passport stamps from Malaysia, Russia, Belgium, Germany, the UK and Argentina to name a few on the growing list of hockey playing countries he has visited.

Rating walking down the tunnel at the Commonwealth Games, the Student Games in Russia in 2013 and of course his international debut against Japan in Argentina as three of his proudest moments in his life.

In the fifth Indoor World Cup, Jones and his team finished eleventh overall. In their pool they faced Austria, Belgium, Iran, Switzerland and Russia, ending their efforts at the bottom of the pool where they took on Kazakhstan in a thrilling playoff for eleventh and twelfth. The score at the final whistle was 6-1 to team RSA.

“We learnt a lot as a team at this tournament, but I would say that two positives for us that we walked away with, netting goals against hockey giants, Austria and Belgium. We managed three goals against World Indoor champions, Austria, and then two against the major hockey playing nation of Belgium. We scored 13 goals in total in our six games and conceded 29 and are looking forward to our next international outing!”

For now, the local hockey star is putting away his playing kit to take up the role of coach for the first team at St Anne’s Diocesan College. “I am really looking forward to this role. The shoes I am filling are big, but I am up for the challenge, replacing Carlos Pereira. It is my opportunity to give back to the sport that has allowed me so much!”

Asked who he most admires, he quickly states, “Roger Federer! Just everything about him is awe-inspiring. His talent, and his morals just make him an easy role model to admire!”

“If I can make just a small impact similar to what some of my coaches have had on me; to instil a passion for sports, then I will be grateful and eternally happy! The camaraderie you get from being part of a hockey family, on top of that the skills and tactics you learn are something special. And I hope to be able to open a few of my players eyes to these possibilities.”

First up for Coach Jones is the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge that they will host in two weeks. “We have a brilliant record in this tournament with six out of seven wins for our region in the history of this popular tournament. Following that we have the St Mary’s tournament in April in Johannaesburg, so an exciting start to my career with the first team at Saints.”

Jones has been a part of the school for a handful of years, coaching the U16s in 2013 and then the second team for outdoor and the first indoor team in previous years. He also recently took on a permanent position on the St Anne’s staff, in the Life Orientation department, concentrating more on the Phys. Ed. side of the subject. Hockey being his first passion, he dabbled in cricket at school, loves to run circles on a squash court, and knocking a golf ball around when he can. And he truly enjoys finding himself on trails, running. “Being outdoors is food for the soul and I strive to encourage all my students to get off their devices and fall in love with the great outdoors.”

He grew up in East London, matriculating from Selbourne a handful of years ago and moved to Pietermaritzburg in March 2013 with his long-time girlfriend, Nadia.

“I am loving the quality of life in Pietermaritzburg, being a part of a phenomenal school that hopefully I can grow with, and I don’t plan on changing anything in the immediate future! I can say that I am really happy with how everything is going right now.”

Next on his hockey playing agenda, the all-rounder will be joining his team mates from around the country for a National Training Camp for outdoor.

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge

PMB Central Regional: Saturday 10 March at PMB Girls’ High

PMB Northern Regional: Sunday 11 March at St Anne’s College

The eighth SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge tournament heads to Pietermaritzburg for the back-to-back Central and Northern Regionals on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March.

Defending the Central Regional, St John’s DSG are determined to remain champions. The first team was announced last week and is looking defensively good. Leading the team is coach Binks Robertson, with Tiffany Jones as assistant coach / manager. Jones has played in the Premier Hockey League and also for KZN Coastals and prides herself on her attacking game.

Defending the Northern Regional, St Anne’s sterling record in this tournament has their name engraved six times on the trophy. With new coach, Robin Jones, the young and enthusiastic team are eager to return to the Grand Finals. Having just returned from Berlin, Jones competed in the recent Indoor World Cup where the South African men finished eleventh overall. 

Joining the Yellow Sticks are previous champs, Pietermaritzburg Girl’s High School who have an impeccable record in this tournament with six regional victories, Epworth, Alex, Howick, Russel, Maritzburg Christian School (M.C.S.) and making their first appearance Newton High. 

The programme for the PMB Central Regional hosted by PMB GHS is a pool format, with St John’s, Epworth, Alex and Newton in the first pool and PMB GHS, Howick, Russel and MCS in the second. Once the pool games are completed, the tournament progresses to a cross pool semi-final, followed by a fourth, then third pool playoff, with the regional final ending off the day.

Hosts, St Anne’s have scheduled a round robin tournament for the PMB Northern Regional. Schools that will be participating are one-time winner, The Wykeham Collegiate, Carter, Grace College, Treverton and Voortrekker. The regional final will feature the first and second on the Round Robin log. 

Both tournaments will score 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw with goals, 1 point for a goalless draw and nil points for a loss. Games in both tournaments will be 25 minutes long. 

The two regional winners will join Ferrum Hoërskool, representing the Northern KZN Region, the first team to secure their berth at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG on 21 and 22 July. 

For more info, like the tournament’s Facebook page. 

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Upcoming PMB Regionals - 10 & 11 March 2018

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Upcoming PMB Regionals

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge
PMB Central Regional: Saturday 10 March at PMB Girls’ High
PMB Northern Regional: Sunday 11 March at St Anne’s College
The eighth SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge tournament heads to Pietermaritzburg for the back-to-back Central and Northern Regionals on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March.
Defending the Central Regional, St John’s DSG are determined to remain champions. The first team was announced last week and is looking defensively good. Leading the team is coach Binks Robertson, with Tiffany Jones as assistant coach / manager. Jones has played in the Premier Hockey League and also for KZN Coastals and prides herself on her attacking game.
Defending the Northern Regional, St Anne’s sterling record in this tournament has their name engraved six times on the trophy. With new coach, Robin Jones, the young and enthusiastic team are eager to return to the Grand Finals. Having just returned from Berlin, Jones competed in the recent Indoor World Cup where the South African men finished eleventh overall.
Joining the Yellow Sticks are previous champs, Pietermaritzburg Girl’s High School who have an impeccable record in this tournament with six regional victories, Epworth, Alex, Howick, Russel, Maritzburg Christian School (M.C.S.) and making their first appearance Newton High.
The programme for the PMB Central Regional hosted by PMB GHS is a pool format, with St John’s, Epworth, Alex and Newton in the first pool and PMB GHS, Howick, Russel and M.C.S. in the second. Once the pool games are completed, the tournament progresses to a cross pool semi-final, followed by a fourth, then third pool playoff, with the regional final ending off the day.
Hosts, St Anne’s have scheduled a round robin tournament for the PMB Northern Regional. Schools that will be participating are one-time winner, The Wykeham Collegiate, Carter, Grace College, Treverton and Voortrekker. The regional final will feature the first and second on the Round Robin log.
Both tournaments will score 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw with goals, 1 point for a goalless draw and nil points for a loss. Games in both tournaments will be 25 minutes long.
The two regional winners will join Ferrum Hoërskool, representing the Northern KZN Region, the first team to secure their berth at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG on 21 and 22 July.
For more info, like the tournament’s Facebook page.

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Interview with Charllene Boshoff by Sophie Thompson

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge
Pietermaritzburg Central Regional
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School: Saturday 10 March
Interview with Charllene Boshoff by Sophie Thompson

Meet Charllene Boshoff, a go-getter of note. This budding pupil is traversing determinedly towards a bright future that she, herself is carving.

“Do what you love, and if you love what you do you will be successful!”

This is the wunderkind’s motto. Boshoff is a sporting star from St John's DSG and will be lining up for the first hockey team, defending their title in the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge next weekend in the #Pietermartizburg Central Regional.

“This will be my second SPAR tournament and we are hoping to do well again this year, but we will see what transpires on the day!”

It is still early days in the hockey season, with the outdoor team having only just been announced. Boshoff will be sharing the role of Co-Captain with fellow team mate Christin Stubbs. “It is going to be an exciting year, we have had two trainings so far and it is a good group of girls. Our team is very young with a number of newbies, but we are focusing on building their confidence, letting their talent shine.”

Once the SPAR tournament is wrapped up, Boshoff will be packing her bags, and together with her folks, heading across to the states to follow up on a number of varsity bursary applications. “I have been in touch with a few of the top varsities in the New York area that focus on field hockey, sending them video clips of my progress and skills. A couple of them have shown interest so I am going across to catch their attention, to put my hand up and say pick me.”

“From an early age, it has been a dream of mine to get to experience life in America, you can call it a fascination. But I would also love to get to experience playing hockey in Holland after my studies. But for now, my focus is on school, prioritising my studies and gearing up for varsity in the States. Matric has been quite hectic, an exciting challenge and I look forward to applying myself to the best of my capabilities.”

Her hockey coach, Lyndal Binks Robertson shared, “It is quite an amazing story of how this young athlete has pushed herself to be better, and has improved her technical and tactical game over the last couple of months. She transformed from being an average KZN Inland U16/B player two years ago to one of the top players in the KZN Inland U18/A team last year. She, I believe, is going to be one of the most dangerous players in the league!”

Continuing, Robertson said, “The other thing I find amazing is how she, by herself, got hold of a recruitment agency in the States and has been sending them drills and videos over the last year. She has had numerous interviews with various varsities over Skype already.”

Concluding, her coach enthused, “This chick wears me out... Her positivity, her never say die attitude is something to be commended. She can run, she is strong, she can OVERHEAD far! She just doesn’t know how to slow down, she truly is fantastic and has such a positive future ahead!”

The level headed student participates in an array of sporting disciplines, hockey being her first love, waterpolo her second where she made the KZN Midlands team. She swims for the school, competing in free and breaststrokes and to keep her fitness up for hockey, she dabbles in cross country for fun.

“I also play in the school basketball team, in post position. And I am part of the indoor hockey team, as well. Sport is a big part of my life, coming from an active background with both my folks being quite competitive, my Dad was a middle distance runner, loving cross country and my Mom had a flare for the unusual preferring water skiing, with a bit of a dare devil streak performing tricks on her skis.”

“My younger brother who is in grade 9 at St Charles used to take part in rugby but prefers cricket, he really is quite brilliant at!”

“The friendships built through sports are lifelong, the bonds strong. I would say one of the main lesson I have learnt from sport is communication is key. Good communication on and off the field is key and can make a huge difference to most outcomes.

The Montrose resident has a colourful home life, sharing her life with four dogs, two cats, a pond full of koi and a number of reptiles that are part of her brother’s collection.

Paving her way to an incredibly exciting life, this youngster will be waving the Pietermaritzburg flag proudly as she prepares to take on the world with her passion, hockey.

Photos by Jonathan Burton Jonathan Burton - Photographer

SPAR KZN School Girl's Hockey Challenge - Glencoe

Kicking off the first tournament in the eighth year of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, the defending champs, Ferrum Hoërskool managed to retain their title in the Northern KZN Regional that took place at Sarel Cilliers High School in Glencoe.

Ferrum took on Pionier in the gold silver medal game. In a tough duel, Ferrum netted the winning goal with 11.5 minutes on the clock. The only goal scorer in the main game, vice-captain, Lucretia Struwig found the net in free play after a frenetic build up with the ball sneaking past the keeper. Struwig had a good attacking tournament, setting the tone with scoring the first goal in the tournament and then following on taking her team through in the semi-finals with the only goal scored early in the game against Sarel Cilliers. 

Pionier started off in a determined fashion but sadly ran out of steam once the Ferrum ball hit the back of their goal. Having had a sterling build up to the finals, the team topped their pool with three impressive wins, and 13 goals in their three games. They met St Dominics in the semi-final winning that game 1-0, taking them into their second successive final.

Pionier’s coach K.J. Ewert said that the girls did their school proud in the tournament and were obviously disappointed at not being able to eclipse Ferrum High’s winning streak. “They played extremely well to have got into the finals of this regional, and it was a good opportunity for us, but unfortunately it was not to be. The good score card will show that it was a heavily contested regional,” he said.

In a feisty replay of last year’s final where Ferrum managed a 2-1 win against Pionier reclaiming their stronghold in this region. A determined outfit took to the field in this year’s SPAR KZN tournament where Ferrum surged forwards but were unable to break the quietly determined Pionier defense barring their tournament-winning goal. 

Dean Bond, Ferrum’s coach, delighted with his team’s win said “There were big expectations for Ferrum as defending champs. We had lost 8 players from last year’s team, so we knew we had to work hard for it.  But it was a total team effort. We put in the hours and the results have paid off. The girls really played with their hearts on their sleeves in this incredible heat.”

For the first time in the history of the tournament, St Domimics finished on a podium step, having defeated one-time winners Sarel Cilliers for the bronze title. St Dominics ended their 2018 tournament with a 2 nil victory against the host school.

Nine schools took to the field participating in the sweltering northern KZN heat, with Pool A consisting of Ferrum in first, St Dominics, third placed Dundee, Vryheid High and Pongola and Pool B with Pionier, Sarel Cilliers, Newcastle and Vryheid Landbou.

The first umpire in the eighth tournament to be awarded Most Promising Umpire, Piet Retief resident Mia Steenkamp representing Pionier has been invited to further her umpiring career at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July.

The next tournament takes place on 10 March with the first of the Pietermaritzburg tournaments, the PMB Central, followed by the PMB Northern Regional on the next day.

Results

1 Ferrum High School, 2 Pionier Hoërskool, 3 St Dominics College, 4 Sarel Cilliers High School, 5 Newcastle High School, 6 Dundee High School, 7 Vryheid High School, 8 Vryheid Landbou, 9 Pongola Akademie

SPAR KZN School Girl’s Hockey Challenge - Sarel Cilliers - Glencoe KZN: Saturday 24 February

SPAR KZN School Girl’s Hockey Challenge

Sarel Cilliers: Saturday 24 February

The fixtures for the first SPAR KZN School Girl’s Hockey Challenge have been released with both the host team and one-time winners, Sarel Cilliers and defending champs teeing off the tournament.

The Northern KZN Regional is taking place on two turfs at Sarel Cilliers, with the games lasting 25 minutes, going one way. The ten teams have been split into two pools, with Pool A consisting of six times winner, Ferrum High School from Newcastle and Dundee High School, Pongola Akademie, St Dominic’s and Vryheid High School. Pool B features Utrecht, Newcastle, Pionier, Vryheid Landbou and hosts, Sarel Cilliers.

Once all the pool games are concluded, the teams will go into a cross pool elimination. After that, there will be a bronze playoff game and then the main game of the day revealing the 2018 champion for the Northern KZN region.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

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SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Northern KZN Regional: Glencoe – 24 February 2018

Media Release

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Northern KZN Regional: Glencoe – 24 February 2018

Sarel Cilliers High School in Glencoe, Northern KZN, plays host to the first of the ten regionals of the 2018 SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday, February 24.

Ten schools from the Northern KZN region will be participating in the eighth annual hockey challenge, considered one of the top schools’ sporting events in the province. 

Defending champs and six-times winners Ferrum High from Newcastle, will be out in full force to retain their title in this heavily contested regional.  

Schools that will be trying to release Ferrum’s stronghold, include one-time winners Sarel Cilliers (Glencoe, Umzinyathi), Newcastle High School,  St Dominics also from Newcastle; Utrecht High School, Dundee High School, Vryheid High School, Pionier High School (Vryheid) and Pongola Akademie. Returning to the tournament after a number of years is Vryheid Landbou.

Two pools of five teams each will play twenty-five minutes games on two fields. Ferrum, Dundee, St Dominics, Vryheid feature in Pool A, with Utrecht, Newcastle, Pionier, Vryheid Landbou and Sarel Cilliers in Pool B. Winners of the pools will advance to a semi-final format, culminating in a twenty-minute finals to determine the overall regional winner.

Interest in this tournament, piloted in KwaZulu-Natal, has extended to four other provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng with a total of 28 regionals tournaments played across the country.

“There is a fantastic growing interest in hockey and especially these tournaments,” says Les Galloway, Tournament Director, “We have aimed this at young women in high school, and have made the event fun and festive with good hockey, team spirit and sporting friendliness being a key drivers.”

Along with supporting the development of the players, the tournament also aims to grow new umpires. Each school brings their best umpire to represent them on the day to gain experience. Some of these umpires are then invited to participate at the Grand Finals, giving them further opportunity to hone their skills.

Winners of the Northern KZN Regional will participate in the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN School Girls Hockey Challenge that takes place at St Mary’s DSG in Durban on 21 and 22 July.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

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Realness Announces Award Winners and New Partnership with Toronto International Film Festival

Realness Residency is a Pan-African screenwriting initiative. It is seeking diversity in contemporary African perspectives, encouraging risk-taking, originality and authenticity. This ethos has been demonstrated once more by the success of alumnus Luck Razanajaona (Madagascar) at CineMart in Rotterdam where his Realness project Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award of €5,000 given to a director under 35-years-old last night.  

“We have once again achieved our target of over 120 submissions and are excited to start the evaluation process. We look forward to welcoming our 2018 residents to their home-away-from-home at Nirox in June.” said Realness co-founder Elias Ribeiro. “Since its launch, the residency has nurtured ten African writers from eight countries on the continent, growing into an impactful centre that fosters emerging talent and that is recognised throughout the film community.” co-founder Cait Pansegrouw went on to say.

Ribeiro and Pansegrouw’s production company Urucu Media produced The Wound, the most awarded South African film ever made, which was shortlisted to the top nine in the 2018 Best Foreign Film category of the Academy Awards. The Wound has found distribution in over 30 countries around the world and has been acquisitioned by the likes of HBO, Netflix and Mnet. They also co-produced the Mozambican Oscars entry, The Train of Salt and Sugar. 
“It’s very good to start your project in this kind of residency programme. It has a great reputation so it gives you more credibility and introduces you to potential producers and funders.” 2017 Resident Rama Thiaw, Senegal. Through Realness’s partnership with other labs and development platforms, its residents are considered for various scholarship awards to platforms that will further their creative progress. The 2017 results are as follows:
Locarno Filmmaker’s Academy: Miles from Nowhere, Samantha Nell (South Africa)
TorinoFilmLab: The Kingdom of Casaurinas, Fradique Mario Bastos (Angola)
EAVE Producer’s Workshop: Miles from Nowhere, Samantha Nell (South Africa), attended by producer Bongiwe Selane
The award to attend La Fabrique Cinema de L’Instituit Francais in Cannes will be announced in March.
Swiss production company Cocoon, lead by producer Simone Soleil, awarded each participant with a 1000 euro stipend to assist with their real-world costs while in residence.

Realness is also proud to announce a new partnership with Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival will award a resident with a flight, festival pass and personalised itinerary allowing them maximum professional development during their time at TIFF.
Realness was founded in 2015 by Urucu Media, presented under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents, in partnership with Nirox Foundation, Durban FilmMart, The French Institute of South Africa and La Fabrique Cinema de L’Instituit Francais, TorinoFilmLab, Locarno Filmmaker’s Academy, Cocoon, Toronto International Film Festival, The CNC, EAVE and Fairbridges Attorneys.  

Links
Website: www.urucumedia.com/realness  
Twitter @realresidency
Instagram @realnessresidency
Facebook /realnessresidency

About Realness
Realness arose out of a need for promising African film projects to be resourced and supported at the crucial development phase so that they may be competitive in the international film financing market. The residency programme creates opportunity for creative interrogation and ensures that projects are given the space to mature sufficiently; such that, once they enter production, they result in films that have the potential to travel and appeal to both African and worldwide independent cinema audiences. Realness strives to empower African authors to tell stories through an African lens. 

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Issued by Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

PR for DFM & DFO

AmaZulu FC to meet Fans in City ahead of Durban Derby

Fans of SPAR’s AmaZulu FC will have an opportunity to meet their favourite players on Friday, February 2 ahead of the exciting Durban Derby between them and Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday, February 3.

The full team will be based at the Workshop Shopping Centre, Amphitheatre in Durban on Friday from 12noon to 2pm (thereafter ten members will remain behind until 3pm) to sign autographs and meet their fans. Sponsors, SPAR are laying on a fun afternoon of entertainment, which will be hosted by Nompilo Maphumulo (Nosipho) and Nombuso Thembinkosi Thwala (Mondli) from SA’s top soapie – Uzalo. A stellar line-up of performers will provide the tunes and vibes for the afternoon including DJ Nzwiri, Kwaito artist Ndah Jay, Rapper, Zee Gee, DJ Tira and Amadada who promise a great interactive time with their audience.

There will be a dance off competition judged by players Mbongeni Gumede and Thembela Sikhakhane, plus a football play off between players Michael Morton, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Mabhuti Khenyeza and Jabulani Ncobeni who will pair up with two fans in a ball juggling competition. There will be loads of giveaways and great prizes to be won.

At the Workshop, supporters will also be able to enter into a SPAR’s Durban-based in-store competition in which three lucky winners will win a signed AmaZulu jersey, VIP tickets to a forthcoming AmaZulu game and lunch with celebrated ABSA Premiership’s all-time leading goal scorer, Siyabonga Nomvethe.

The popular SA Premier Soccer League team will be going head to head against Lamontville Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, on Saturday, February 3 at 20:15, and are actively encouraging their supporters to come out in full force, a huge motivator for the teams playing.

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY hosts Swiss choreographer in a groundbreaking exchange that opens up challenges within dance, diversity and disability!

MEDIA RELEASE

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY hosts Swiss choreographer in a groundbreaking exchange that opens up challenges within dance, diversity and disability!

In an exchange that has taken almost 2 years to set up, Swiss choreographer Jürg Koch, has arrived in Durban to work with Flatfoot Dance Company and various local guest dancers in an unprecedented exchange. With support funding by Pro Helvetia, Jürg is spending 3 weeks in Durban to explore dance teaching and choreographic practices that are based on ideas of diversity especially as they relate to the inclusion of differently abled dancers into mainstream theatre dance.

Jürg’s own dance history has seen him work extensively with UK based CandoCo – Europe’s first professional integrated dance company working with dancers with disability. He taught, for ten years, at the University of Washington (Seattle) before heading back home to Switzerland and the city of Bern, where he now works as a freelance teacher and choreographer.

His connection with Flatfoot is a natural fit as Flatfoot’s own integrated youth dance work, spanning over 10 years, has been seminal in shifting national perceptions around who can dance. Flatfoot’s mandate to open up access to dance and the arts, has seen them work in conjunction with the Open Air School in a youth dance programme called LeftFeetFIRST!, and more recently they have started South Africa’s first Down syndrome youth dance company.

In a three way collaboration Jürg and Flatfoot are also joined by the Wentworth Arts and Culture Organisation’s (WACO) Dance Movement headed by Jarryd Watson. The final outcome of this exploratory dance residency will be on show at the Loft Theatre on Thursday the 1 February @ 5pm. Tickets are limited and so booking is essential. Tickets can be booked by calling 082 875 6065.

This final performance is also the culmination of a two day colloquium that Flatfoot’s artistic director, Lliane Loots, has set-up to coincide with Jürg’s visit. Loots, working in association with The Playhouse Company, has created a two day feast for dance teachers and performers to allow further exploration of the politics and practice of integrated dance practice. This colloquium features special guests, Unmute Dance Company (Cape Town), Dr. Gerard Samuel (UCT), Moving Into Dance (Johannesburg), Gladys Agulhas (Johannesburg) and disability activist and filmmaker Liza Aziz (amongst others).

Loots says that the intention of the colloquium is to “push the shared knowledge and practice-based learning around integrated and disability dance in South Africa - with a focus on revising the idea of dance as a tool for ‘living democracy’ - a term that Flatfoot Dance Company uses to describe its impulses in dance education and community dance engagements”. She goes on to say that integrated dance “is also a growing impulse towards diversity in terms of performance  practice and the hope is that we are all challenged to think bigger and more inclusively”.

The colloquium takes place at The Playhouse Complex on 31 January and 1 February and costs R300 (lunch and tea included). Limited places available and booking essential: 082 875 6065

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge 2018

Rolling into its eighth year, the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge kicks off in Glencoe, at the end of February 2018 with the first of ten regional tournaments.

One time winners, Sarel Cilliers will host the first regional at their school on Saturday 24 February. An anticipated 12 schools are expected to battle it out, including six time winners, Ferrum High School from Newcastle.

In previous years, the Pietermaritzburg Central and Pietermaritzburg Northern regionals were held on the same day, however, this year both these regions will have their own day in the sunshine.

The only newcomers to the Grand Finals last year, St John’s DSG will have home turf advantage as they defend their PMB Central Regional title on 10 March. The following day, St Anne’s College welcomes the teams participating in the PMB Northern Regional to their picturesque grounds. No stranger to the Grand Finals, St Anne’s will also have home ground advantage, having won their regional six times.

Heading to the first of the Durban and surrounds regionals, St Henry’s hosts the Durban Central Regional at the 3 Schools Trust on Saturday 17 March. This tournament has been dominated by Durban Girls’ College, the only team in the tournament’s history to have a 100% record.  

Kuswag hosts the Durban South Regional on completely neutral territory at the 3 Schools Trust Astro on Sunday 25 March. Kuswag School has previously participated at the Grand Finals and will be keen to make an appearance, releasing the stronghold Amanzimtoti High School have had on the region.

The sixth regional takes place after a two week break with Reddam College hosting the Durban North Regional at their school on Sunday 15 April. Our Lady of Fatima will be defending their title, having won this title in the first tournament, and again last year. They will be keen to hold out previous winners Ashton and Danville.

The tournament then travels to the outlying areas. On Saturday 21 April former defending champs, Kokstad College will host the Southern KZN Regional at their school. Three teams have raised the trophy in this region, with current defending champs and three times winners, King Edward High School taking on rivals, Kokstad College and Creston College who have both twice travelled to the Grand Finals.

Returning to Durban, and certainly the feistiest of the regional tournaments, the Highway Regional will be hosted by Westville Girls’ High School on Sunday 6 May. In 2014, Westville managed to topple St Mary’s DSG in a thrilling game where they won 2-1. Saints have dominated the region, winning it six times and adding to their impressive successes, they are also the overall 2017 Grand Finals tournament winners.

Travelling inland for the second last tournament, Wartburg Kirchdorf will defend their title at home on Saturday 12 May, hosting the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional.

Finally, the last regional will be competed in Richards Bay for the North Coastal Regional. Defending champs, Grantleigh will host the tournament again, on their magnificent turf, just outside of Richards Bay. The tournament takes place on Saturday 19 May concluding the ten KZN Regionals.

Once all the regional winners have been crowned, they will each travel to the action packed Grand Finals that takes place at St Mary’s DSG on 20 and 21 July.

For more info like the tournament’s active Facebook page.

Reminder - Durban FilmMart Project Submission for 2018 Closes on 12 December 2017

Media Release

Durban FilmMart Project Submission for 2018 Closes on 12 December 2017

Project submissions for the 2018 Durban FilmMart (DFM) which takes place during the Durban International Film Festival , South Africa close on December 12, 2017.

The Durban FilmMart is a joint project of Durban Film Office, the eThekwini Municipality’s  industry development unit, and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), which strives to support and stimulate the growth of African film and develop connections between African film makers and the rest of the world.

“With two recent Durban FilmMart projects  Inxeba (The Wound) (SA) and Train of Salt and Sugar (Mozambique) having been selected as Best Foreign Language Films for the next Academy Awards, we are seeing the impact that the support of projects in development has on the industry on a global level,” enthuses Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office

The Durban FilmMart, now in its 9th year, comprises an exciting four day programme of workshops, seminars, and networking sessions and is attended annually by approximately 600 film-makers, distributors, broadcasters, agents and other film industry representatives.

Over the years the DFM has supported the development of over 170 African co-production projects, many of which have been developed into fully-fledged film products with cinema and festival release.

Ten documentary and ten fiction feature length film projects will be selected from the submissions, and these projects will undergo a two-day packaging and mentoring programme followed by two days of one-on-one meetings with a panel of film financiers, buyers and distributors from across the globe.

The Durban FilmMart is open to full length feature and documentary films projects with Africans in the major creative roles (writers, directors and producers) that are looking for co-producers, financiers, sales agents and funders. All film projects submitted are reviewed by a selection committee for consideration. All projects must have both a producer and director attached to them, and must be submitted by December 12, 2017.

“As we head into our ninth year, it feels like the DFM has really matured,” says Toni Monty. “We are seeing more and more of our alumni projects being completed and doing extremely well on either the festival or cinema circuits. It is really heartening to see that the effort and energy put into this programme continues to bear great fruit for the growth of the industry on the continent. We look forward to seeing some interesting projects submitted this year.”

For more about the Durban FilmMart 2018, project submission criteria and how to submit your project, visit www.durbanfilmmart.com.

For further enquires contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com or call   +27 31 311 4243

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Nolwazi Magwaza

Versfeld & Associates

PR for DURBAN FILMMART/ DURBAN FILM OFFICE

Overstone presents - Coffee and Cake with Nibs Van Der Spuy

Legendary world acoustic guitarist Nibs van der Spuy will perform at Overstone Cottages, Overstone Farm near Wartburg, KZN Midlands, on Sunday, December 3, from 11h00.

This is one of many music concerts planned for the cottages, set within an exquisite working farm, with its beautiful 170 year old gardens, great walks with opportunities for cycling and birding.

“We have had two very successful, but small concerts here on the farm, with Nibs, Rowan Stuart, Andy Turrell, Charles Webster and Kaiti Faul, and we are keen to make it into a regular occurrence to generate interest in this part of the Midlands,” say sisters and organisers Phillippa Gordon and Caroline Gordon.  “Durbanites and folk from Maritzburg, seldom hesitate to hop in the car and drive to Notties for a craft beer and saunter around the craft shops, and often this side is thought to be too far. But it’s not. Here’s an opportunity to bring the children, grannies and grandpas to come enjoy a relaxing day listening to music, being outdoors and feeding one’s soul.”

Fires will be lit for those wanting to braai. There are lovely walks, and while there are no formal trails, there are plenty of places to cycle.

Local NGO Singakwenza (www.singakwenza.co.za), has been nominated beneficiary of this event, so a portion of the proceeds will be going to them to assist with the amazing work they do in early childhood development.

Tickets are R75, which includes coffee and cake. Under 12’s are free. Buskers wanting to perform can also get in free. Gates open at 11am and Nibs will start playing at 11h30.

The Overstone Farm is on the D82 road near Wartburg about 68kms from Pietermariztburg . It is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Durban.

To book call 083 290 1153 or email  info@overstone.co.za. For directions and more about Overstone Cottages go to www.overstone.co.za.

Josh's Big Year: A Story Of Hope

From a broken, suicidal, autistic teenager, who dropped out of school at 15, to a passionate young adventurer, comes a remarkable 300-page self-published coffee table book, Josh’s Big Year which was launched today (November 14) in Durban. Josh Crickmay's publishing debut is a celebration of courage and triumph of the human spirit.

In 2012 15-year-old South African school pupil Josh Crickmay, unable to cope with the demands of the classroom dropped out of school. What followed was a deep and debilitating depression kindled by the belief that he would never be able to fend for himself. Severely suicidal, Josh landed in hospital and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or High Functioning Autism.

Certain that unless they did something radical, they would lose their only child, Josh’s parents Andrew and Kathy, quit their jobs and embarked on a quest to give Josh a reason to live and to function in life without a formal education. They did this by building on and kindling Josh’s interests in birding, photography and writing.

 For an entire year they travelled to every corner of Southern Africa and spent seven weeks in the Amazon and Andes in what is known in birding circles as a “Big Year” which involves identifying as many bird species as possible in a single year, inspired by the movie of the same name.

The entire project represents Josh’s own work from photography to layout and design. His writing is a delight, honest, self-effacing and laugh out loud funny in places but sobering and tear-filled in others.

Ernie and Liesl Els had this to say: “This book has a transformative effect; like turning on a flashlight in a dark room. For readers the book serves as a delight for the senses – visually, thanks to the diverse and brilliant photography, and emotionally, through the way in which the book navigates Josh’s emotional journey”.  This sentiment is shared by founding art director of Getaway magazine James Berrange who said “the effect this book is going to have can hardly be imagined”.

The book took nearly 3 years to write, with the first edition completed when he was 16. The book is hoped to impact and give encouragement to a world where one in 68 people are thought to be on the Autism spectrum. 

Josh’s plan is that Josh’s Big Year will be the first in a series of books as he video blogs his adventures and highlights conservation issues.

The book can be purchased online at www.joshcrickmay.com . It is an ideal corporate or family gift for Christmas or special occasions.