Exciting new national schools athletics series debuts in Northern Cape this weekend

IN AN EXCITING development for school sports in the country, an athletics series, billed as the most prestigious nationwide schools’ series in South African athletics, is set to kick off in the Northern Cape this weekend.

The Track+Field athletics series’ first event is scheduled to take place at Hartswater High School on Saturday. This announcement was made in Johannesburg on Tuesday, February 11.

2000 Sydney Olympic Games 400m Finalist and Track+Field Brand Ambassador, Heide Seijerling, speaking about the series, said: “These Track+Field athletics meetings are a celebration of our country’s young talent. Showcasing schools’ pride and competitiveness across all age groups. Also, what a great way of identifying new talent!”

Track+Field, a nationwide schools athletics series, will provide inclusive opportunities for high school athletes across South Africa. This joint venture between SuperSport, Athletics South Africa, and South African Schools Athletics will host events in all nine provinces.

The two-month campaign will feature a variety of track and field events for Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 athletes, including sprints, middle-distance races, relays, and field events such as long jump, shot put, and javelin.

To determine the national champions, the leading teams from the nine provincial meets will face off in the Grand Finale, held in Gauteng between April 10th and 12th, where the best regional performers will compete for national honours.

Former Olympic Sprinter, and Track+Field Series Co-Founder, Mathew Quinn said that it’s all about providing more opportunities for schools from all around SA. “This series is focused on inclusivity and ensuring schools around South Africa are given opportunities to participate not only against other schools in their provinces, but also against the top schools from around the country.”

SuperSport Schools is set to broadcast all 10 athletics meetings of the series live, which will enable young athletes from every province to showcase their talent and for school athletics enthusiasts to catch all the action.

Fixtures for the Inaugural Track+Field Schools Athletics Series

February 15: Northern Cape (Hartswater High School, Hartswater)

February 18: Limpopo (Hoërskool Ben Vorster)

February 20: North West (NWU McArthur Stadium, Potchefstroom)

February 22: Gauteng (University Of Johannesburg, Johannesburg)

February 26: Free State (DP De Villiers Stadium, Sasolburg)

February 27: Eastern Cape (Queens College, Queenstown)

March 1: Mpumalanga (Lillian Ngoyi Stadium, Secunda)

March 5: KwaZulu-Natal (Msunduzi Stadium, Pietermaritzburg)

March 22: Western Cape (Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium, Paarl)

April 10 to 12: Final (Gauteng, TBC)