Exciting finals in the Metshameko school soccer and netball tournament
Rustenburg – The final games in the Metshameko school football and netball programme – sponsored for the first time this year by Impala Rustenburg, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, and Royal Bafokeng Sports – was held on Saturday 29 October 2022 at a Championship Festival at the Royal Marang Hotel in Phokeng.
The jam-packed day of playoffs culminated in a prize-giving and awards ceremony to celebrate the best performers of the day. The 2022 Metshameko tournament launched in mid-May and nearly 2,000 learners from 42 primary schools and 23 high schools in the greater Rustenburg area have benefitted from the weekly programme of coaching, games and playoffs.
In addition, 215 coaches and umpires took part in the 2022 programme, including 140 teacher coaches, 30 volunteer coaches and 45 umpires.
The 16 school teams who made it through to the playoffs were:
- u/13 football: Platinum Village, Vuka, Saron, and Mfidikwe primary schools
- u/13 netball: Seraleng, Moremogolo, Reklakgona, and Mfidikwe primary schools
- u/17 football: Matetenene, Kitsong, Tshukudu, and Matsukubyane secondary schools
- u/17 netball: Matetenene, Khayalethu, Freedom Park, and Matale secondary schools
The winning school teams in each category were:
- u/13 football: Mfidikwe Primary School
- u/13 netball: Retlakgona Public Primary School
- u/17 football: Tshukudu Secondary School
- u/17 netball: Freedom Park Secondary School
Numerous other medals, trophies and awards were presented to high-performing players and coaching teams.
Mark Munroe, chief executive of Impala Rustenburg, said the company is proud to partner with Royal Bafokeng Holdings and Royal Bafokeng Sports in this invaluable sports initiative, which aligns perfectly with Impala Rustenburg’s commitment to investing in young people and schools in the mining community.
“This is a highly impactful programme that delivers far more than the opportunity to play a sport,” said Munroe, “It also enriches lives through life skills learned, leadership qualities gained, effective teamwork, and by boosting self-esteem, all of which can change the trajectory of a child’s life and help contribute to a successful future.”
Brandon Silent, Sports Specialist at Impala Rustenburg, says the programme benefits the children immeasurably, giving them an opportunity to display their talent in the different sports, while also ensuring they improve their game throughout the tournament.
“A highlight of Metshameko for me is identifying the children with the talent that can take them a lot further in their sporting careers, enabling them to hold on to their dream to play for the national teams.”
Impala Platinum press release extracts, November 2022
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