With precision and flair both the junior and senior teams of Durbanville Majorettes Club marched away with an overall third place at the national championship of the Federation of Dance, Drill, Cheerleading and Majorettes.
And to crown the team’s achievement, team leader, 15-year-old Richelle Bornman, achieved overall first place in the leader category.
The tournament took place at Wynberg Military Base Stadium between 7 and 11 July to coincide with the club’s fifth birthday.
With only 20 girls, the club based in Kraaifontein was formed in 2019, and has grown to a formidable squad with 57 athletes from various schools in the Northern Suburbs. They include Aristea Primary, Fanie Theron Primary, Curro Durbanville, Curro Brackenfell, Curro Meridian, Monument High School and Brackenfell High School.
Senior Coach Karen Donachie says this small yet dynamic team of young ladies faced many challenges throughout the season yet marched with passion and heart.
“These 18 young ladies proved that with self-discipline, dedication, commitment, passion and belief in themselves and their team, they can achieve anything.
“Our team story is similar to that of David and Goliath, no matter how small you are, you can conquer and achieve great things. As a coach, nothing makes you prouder than seeing your team give of their best and perform with heart and soul.”
Junior coach Nicky Metcalf says the junior majorettes have had a phenomenal season 2023. The team consists of 38 young athletes from Grade 1 to 7.
“Half of the athletes joined the team at the beginning of this year knowing nothing about the sport. As coaches we know it’s a time consuming sport, that requires a lot of dedication and hard work, something our athletes needed to adapt to, but we were truly blessed to have a team that represents this with the help of parents ensuring their daughters get to practise. Our athletes sacrificed so much to ensure they were at practise to allow the coaches to finish and drill the displays. As a coach I can honestly say our girls did a sterling job throughout the season as well as at nationals and our results are evidence of this.”
This competition is known to be extremely intense where the best of the country compete.
“The standard is so much higher than last year, which is amazing. As a federation we are growing, but the level of skill is too. Our girls pushed through and marched every performance with so much heart, passion and love on the field. As coaches that’s all we want to see, we want our girls to have fun and build beautiful memories, life-long friendships within their team as well as with other teams in other provinces,” says Metcalf.
Two athletes from the club will represent the federation in their national team at the International Association of Majorettes World Championships in Croatia in August.
“We are immensely proud and wish them and the team the best of luck.”
Metcalf adds that the club is seeking athletes to join the junior and senior squads in 2024.
- For more information contact chair Yvonne Viljoen at 082 499 7418 or see their website at http://durbanvillemajorettes.co.za/
