The Wesgrow Central Schools Sports Series for 2024 begins on 2 March, with Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool kicking off its bid for the title against Hoërskool Diamantveld on the rugby field in Kimberley.
The Wesgrow series, as it is widely known, has been emphasising mass participation since 2018 and had its origin in the phenomenon that participation within the league by schools in the countryside began to wane.
Gys Coetzee, executive director of the Wesgrow series, says that thanks to this series, sport participation in the central part of our country is exciting and offers healthy competition. Year after year the series attracts more and more attention, and more schools apply to take part.
The value of school sport should never be underestimated, believes Coetzee.
In 2023, the Central Schools Sports Series was once again a highlight on all participating schools’ calendars and the event for 2024 is eagerly awaited.
The Hoërskool Trio was welcomed as a newcomer last year, and this year it is also pleasant to welcome the University of the Free State (UFS) as a co-sponsor of this prestigious series.
It is thanks to the involvement of the community and institutions such as Wesgrow and the UFS that learners can be offered the privilege of healthy competition at a high level, says Coetzee.
After Voortrekker and Diamantveld have clashed in the opening rugby fixture, the other teams get their turn.
On 9 March, Hoërskool Sentraal will play against Hoërskool Trio in Kroonstad, while Hoërskool Goudveld will take on Hoërskool Fichardtpark in Welkom on 12 March.
The first round’s final fixture is Hoërskool Witteberg traveling to Bloemfontein to play against Hoërskool Jim Fouché on 12 March.
The Wesgrow Central Schools Sports Series for 2024 is expected to offer lots of action and a few surprises.
It is the second year that a single-round format is followed. This means that every fixture is of utmost importance in determining schools’ final standings at the end of the series.
The series also maintains its association with SuperSport, which will broadcast matches online thanks to its SuperSport Schools platform. This makes it possible for the series, which spans three provinces, to give further exposure to all stakeholders.
Title holders
The following schools are defending their title in the respective sports played as part of the series:
- Rugby – Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool;
- boys’ hockey – Hoërskool Jim Fouché;
- girls’ hockey – Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool;
- hockey, overall – Hoërskool Jim Fouché; and
- netball – Hoërskool Sentraal.
The overall series winner in 2023 is Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool.
