Frogfoot Networks expands successful U/17 School Rugby Tournament to include more schools and players, offering a prominent platform for young talent across the country.
Following the success of its inaugural 7s School Rugby Tournament which was designed to showcase the talented U/17 players from 150 schools around the country, Frogfoot Networks, a licensed open-access fibre infrastructure provider, has announced a revised and expanded competition that will bring the opportunity to play in the competition to more youngsters.
The 2022 Frogfoot 7s series witnessed an incredible turnout, with over 2,500 schoolboys from across the nation participating passionately in an effort to book their place into the pinnacle of the event, Champions Day, which took place at Fortress Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria – which was won by Secunda High School.
Miranda Du Preez, Head of Brand Activations at Frogfoot, says the fibre network operator (FNO) launched the Frogfoot 7s school rugby series with a noble objective of giving back to the communities where it has deployed fibre and that the tournament truly succeeded in creating a strong sense of community and embracing diverse cultures at each event.
According to Du Preez, the impact of this inaugural tournament was particularly evident, leaving a lasting impression on all involved and showed that it held even greater potential for the year ahead.
“This year, we’re taking a fresh approach and have decided to host two tournaments on the same day, but in different regions, to expand our reach and impact. In a thrilling collaboration, we’ve partnered with Supersport Schools to broadcast all the tournaments live, allowing everyone to enjoy the action from the comfort of their homes,” said Du Preez.
“Adding an extra layer of excitement, we are delighted to welcome sports therapists to some schools, offering their expertise in sports massages, ensuring the players’ well-being and enhancing their experience. To recognise outstanding performances, every single man of the match will receive a prize and the ‘Man of the Tournament’ prize is worth over R1000.00.”
Overwhelmingly positive response
Last year’s journey began at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth. It spanned more than 10 weeks, with each game day seeing 36 matches take place at nine different host schools across South Africa, providing the perfect platform to put the spotlight on the country’s developing rugby talent. Other participating high schools included Brackenfell, Diamantveld, Frikkie Meyer, Oos Moot, Piet Retief, Pietersburg and Upington among many others.
Du Preez says the hosting schools welcomed the tournament with open arms and much enthusiasm and Frogfoot has since been flooded with requests from countless other schools, all eager to host rugby tournaments and that the revised format was introduced to bring the tournament to more schools in 2023.
“The overwhelming appreciation and compliments we received after each tournament were truly heartening. Messages poured in, expressing admiration for the high standard of the events. As the series advanced, we witnessed a steady increase in the number of sponsors and spectators, all drawn in by the excitement and passion that surrounded each tournament,” said Du Preez.
Heart-warming moments
Du Preez adds that the 2022 tournament featured several special moments that helped foster unity among schools, communities and the children involved. One such moment was when the entire Piet Retief High School ran from the pavilion on to the pitch to celebrate after their school won their regional tournament – something that the youngsters from a small-town school had never experienced before. In a similar electrifying atmosphere, the pregame war cry from HTS Tom Naude’s U/17 team gave the crowd goosebumps.
Then, there was a touching moment when the youngster who won Player of the Tournament at Monument High School cried as he received his prize – a signed Springbok 7s jersey – saying that it meant the world to him and that it felt amazing knowing that other people supported and believed in high school sporting abilities.
“Rugby, a sport that unites South Africans and runs deep in our veins, draws families together to offer their unwavering support. Our primary focus remains on using the power of sports to support these young players, guiding them on a pathway to success while ensuring they have a fantastic time along the way. Through this initiative, we aspire to make a positive impact on their lives and empower them for a brighter future,” said Du Preez.
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