Craven Week kicks off in Buffalo
By Tabisa Mntengwana
16 July 2009
THREE decades since it was last held in the coastal city, Buffalo City is again hosting the annual Craven Week, the highlight of schoolboy rugby in South Africa.
The last time the tournament was held in the city was in 1979 - exactly 30 years ago. Pleased to have it back, Buffalo City has sponsored the event to the value of R456 000.
Craven Week was the breeding ground of many past heroes and it is here that future stars are talent spotted.
Coca-Cola South Africa is sponsoring the week, officially known as the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week 2009. It involves 22 teams of 22 players each, and is already under way at Absa Stadium.
The City’s communications manager, Keith Ngesi, said: “Buffalo City supports programmes that seek to promote human development and economic and social empowerment of communities within its area through the provision of technical, administrative and, where possible, financial support, as it is in the case of Craven Week.”
The cream of schoolboy players is participating in the event, with schools from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Limpopo, Griqualand, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape taking part.
According to a press release issued by the event organisers, household names of tomorrow are being born and talent scouts from all over the country are on hand to offer all sorts of advice to the stars of the tournament.
“This also gives an opportunity to Buffalo City and the Border Region to work and act together in the advancement of transformation, growth and development of the Border Region while vigorously promoting vital social programmes for education, human development, skills development with the aim to ensure the prosperity and success of the youth and Border Region as a whole,” adds Ngesi.
Craven Week runs until 18 July. Speaking at the tournament, South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins said: “I have no doubt that the competition will give both participants and supporters a great time.”
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