2015 ROUNDUP: Memorable sporting events

The year 2015 saw several exciting sporting events in Roodepoort. Some of the highlights were:

The Berge en Dale Classic took place on 31 January with the starting point at Cradlestone Mall. The 102 km cycle route started off at Cradlestone and cyclists made their way through Magaliesburg and Krugersdorp followed by Maropeng and back to the mall via Beyers Naudé Drive.

Weltevreden Park canoeists, Serge van Hee and Richard Daws, teamed up to win the SA K1 Championship Inter-provincial two day ‘Klip’ race as the first double, in a time of 05:20:00. The race, which took place on 31 January and 1 February, began at Buksies Holiday Resort in Kiblerpark, covering 72 km to finish at the Vaal River junction in Three Rivers.

The Panorama FC/Kappa Junior League Festival was held in Wilgeheuwel in February and March. Six teams participated in the finals in different age groups including U13, U15 and U17.

Amorosa triathlete Jodie Berry (19) won the Troutbeck African Triathlon Championships that were held in Nyanga, Zimbabwe, earlier this year. The outstanding performance rendered by Berry saw her climb through the world rankings of the International Triathlon Union, (ITU). She received 200 points and moved to number 187 on the rankings.

Players from the Lions Rugby Union leaped out of their comfort zones with a round of golf at Jackal Creek Golf Estate, Honeydew, on 27 May. The golf day, in partnership with Progression Sports, was to raise funds for People Opposing Woman Abuse (POWA).

The Jonathan Paton Memorial Prize was contested on 16 June at The Country Club Johannesburg, Auckland Park, with competitors playing golf croquet. Peter Caroto from Honeydew, along with partner Alastair Lang, won this year’s annual tournament.

The South African Wushu Federation (SAWF) held its National Wushu Championship and Trials 2015 in Poortview on 20 June. According to SAWF secretary-general Tammy Davey, the athletes showed their skills as kung fu practitioners in various disciplines on the day namely, with Taolu divisions (IWUF international compulsory Taolu routines), sanshou (full-contact fighting), tui shou and chi sau.

The Weltevreden Park Tennis Club hosted their singles championships finals on 4 July, which had been running since 18 April. During the main event – the men’s finals – Ernest Roodt produced arguably his most focused performance in the tournament by beating Yusuf Coovadia 6–3; 6–3 while Donovan Robertson produced a tactical masterclass to defeat Tim Cross 6–4; 6–3 in the men’s plate final.

Honeydew resident David McIntyre (18) cruised to a maiden IGT Tour victory in the British Disc Golf Association (BDGA) Academy Classic at Eagle Canyon Golf Club, Honeydew, on 12 June.

Panorama U14 Football Club was knocked out at the semi-finals during the IBER Cup championship held in Portugal. The team returned to South Africa on 7 July. Coach Michael Michael said the tournament was unbelievable for the youngsters.

Bowlers from four districts within Gauteng participated in the U19 and U35 Bowling Tournament at Ruimsig Country Club on 25–26 July. The U19 and U35 teams from Ekurhuleni Bowls, Johannesburg Bowling Association, Bowls Gauteng North and Sables Bowling Association competed with each other.

Ruimsig Country Club’s Cameron Swanepoel (16) sealed his first season in the A Division of the Glacier Junior Series with a tournament victory. This was in The Els Family Tournament at Glendower Golf Club on 26 July. With three players in the clubhouse on rounds of 74, Swanepoel came in late in the afternoon and clinched the title with a round of one-over-par 73.

Four clubs from the Sables Bowling Association (SBA) battled it out on 30 August to wrap up the Men’s and Ladies Trips Championships at Witpoortjie Bowling Club (WBC). The Trips Championships is one of five annual prestigious tournaments within the SBA.

The eighth edition of the Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge was held in Muldersdrift on 5 September. South African sub-veteran marathon champion Henry Uys, who rides in the colours of Complete Cyclist, triumphed in a time of 01:46:41 to win the 40km challenge. “I had to manage my efforts and do the best as I could,” he said.

Randburg Bowls Club excelled over defending champions, Honeydew Bowling Club by a landslide at the Randburg Bowls Club in Boskruin on 24 October. The Honeydew Challenge saw Randburg use their home ground advantage to the best of their abilities against Honeydew, beating them 33.5 – 11.5.

The Barnswallows Swift Academy hosted their annual Charity Golf Day at Eagle Canyon Golf Club on 29 October. The Swift Academy rehabilitates abused and abandoned children and helps find them safe, permanent homes.

Panorama Football Club’s annual prize-giving ceremony took place on 7 November. The U13, U14 and U17 players were presented with trophies and medals for their sporting achievements. Four U10 and six U13 players qualified for the district team.