CELEBRATING TOMORROW’S HEROES TODAY IN THE ICONIC BOLAND

The picturesque town of Wellington in the iconic Boland region is set to host the inaugural Six Gun Grill Summer Sport Festival, bringing together South Africa’s top school sports talent in rugby, netball, and hockey. Sponsored by Six Gun Grill, the festival will be held at Hugenote High School from 6 to 11 December.

The Summer Sport Festival provides a new fresh and vibrant school sports offering for school rugby, netball, and hockey first team squads of the following season to elevate their pre-season preparations. The festival is an opportunity for schools to participate in a competitive match environment and to evaluate and test their preparations ahead of the 2025 season. The festival promises a unique opportunity for schools to showcase their talent and provide opportunity for a full squad of players.

“This festival is about shaping tomorrow’s heroes today,” says Pieter Rossouw, the founder and organizer of the event. “It’s not just about the games; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience where players can thrive and fans can enjoy top-tier sportsmanship,” Rossouw explained.

Rossouw, who is also the organiser of the well-known ‘Noord-Suid Toernooi’ in Pretoria, decided to join forces with Duitser Bosman, former CEO of Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports, to bring this fresh innovative product to life.

At the heart of the festival is the ethos of strength versus strength, where teams will be paired based on their abilities, ensuring every match is a true test of skill and determination. This means that this festival is open to schools at all competitive levels to improve and developed their sporting programs.” Bosman said.

With matches played under unique pre-season rules, and the schedule allowing schools to travel with multiple squads, coaches will have ample opportunity to rotate their squads and test combinations, while building camaraderie among the team.

“We are thrilled to be the naming rights sponsor for this exciting event,” says John Morris, Managing Director of Six Gun Grill. “The Summer Sport Festival aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting grassroots sports and nurturing young talent. We believe this festival will become a highlight of the school sports calendar, offering an unparalleled platform for athletes to showcase their potential.”

Mr. Wikus Naudé, the principal of Hugenote High School, emphasizes the exposure and value of hosting the inaugural festival in the Boland. “Welcoming top schools to our facilities in the Boland is a testament to the quality of sportsmanship and facilities we offer,” says Mr. Naudé. “We are proud to be a partner in this festival and look forward to showcasing the best of what our region has to offer.”

The festival isn’t just about the games; it’s about the experience. From thrilling matches to vibrant fan zones, the Summer Sport Festival promises something for everyone. The organisers are also planning to have a 10’s rugby and old boys golf challenge as part of the festival schedule, making this a unique experience to kick-off the summer holidays. “We want this festival to be more than just a sporting event,” says Rossouw. “It’s a celebration of talent, dedication, and the spirit of competition.”