School abuzz in preparation for festival

GRANTHAM Park Primary School will host the third annual U13 BuildIt Soccer Festival from Friday till Sunday (8-10 August).

The school is a hive of activity as it prepares for the mammoth task of hosting 16 teams, comprising 240 players who will compete for this year’s bragging rights.

This includes providing accommodation for three days for 12 of the schools – 180 players and 24 coaches.

‘It is a great honour and privilege for our school to host the U13 Soccer Festival for the third year running. We would not have been able to do so without the hard work and dedication of the Grantham Park staff, which includes the ground staff,’ said Principal George van Wyk.

‘As usual, our personnel started preparing very early despite a full teaching programme, and that is commendable.

‘As Principal, I want to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation towards my staff for their continued support. They make us all proud.’

Accommodation

A total of 24 classrooms will be cleared and prepared for the visiting teams. The classrooms will be transformed into welcoming rooms complete with curtains, beds and bedding to house the teams, staff and chaperones. The classrooms need to be ready before Friday morning, while school continues as normal.

After the guest depart, the classrooms must immediately be made school-ready for Monday morning.

Food

The school hall will become the dining hall. The lapa is being converted to cater for staffs meals. The staff room will become the kitchen where meals will be prepared.

The school’s sports room will be prepared for sponsored entertainment functions on the Friday and Saturday evenings. This involves setting up tables, chairs, table cloths and so on.

Fields

The sports fields need to be cut, marked, soccer balls pumped and goal boxes and nets erected. Gazebos and the announcers’ tables must be made ready as well as water points established.

Entertainment

There is also a great entertainment line-up to ensure guests have a memorable stay.

Friday morning will see the Empangeni High School’s marching band perform.

Friday evening will see musicians David Jenkins (Qadas), Jonty Stander (The Dorks) and The Nerds performing.

On Saturday morning, the Grantham Park Zulu dancers will entertain, followed by a six-a-side mixed soccer competition in the evening.

The school choir will sing the national anthem on Sunday.

Sponsors

A total of 34 local sponsors are on board this year showing their support for soccer development.

Referees

SAFA referees will be officiating in all fixtures during the weekend, with Amazulu Football Club getting involved as well.

‘I would also like to thank all our various sponsors that came on board, because without their financial contributions this soccer festival would not have been possible, especially Jackie Pillay from Zululand Buildit, who has been the main sponsor over the last two years,’ said Van Wyk.

‘This soccer festival is therefore proudly branded as the Zululand Buildit Soccer Festival.

‘We kindly invite our community to come and watch some good soccer played at the school.’