KNYSNA NEWS - Last weekend hundreds of school children, teachers, coaches, and family members descended on the Knysna High School sports fields for a day of seven-a-side soccer and entertainment at the inaugural Kilt Family Fun Day.
The Knysna Initiative for Learning and Teaching (Kilt) has, since its founding five years ago, been striving to empower the communities in and around the greater Knysna area through education.
They have organised and launched many an initiative and project in the handful of years of its existence, and has since extended past the classroom to include more and more sport and outdoor-oriented projects.
Many of these have been sports days done in conjunction with the Knysna Sports Academy, such as a good few mini-cricket days.
Fun football action
But, on this occasion, the focus was turned to the football field for a day of something resembling mini action football, for want of a better term.
The occasion was the first-ever Kilt Family Fun Day on Saturday 22 October, and the aim was to get people of all ages, shapes and sizes out and about for a bit of football fun – but not without competition, of course.
There was a vast number of mixed teams - boys and girls, women and men played matches that lasted just 10 minutes per side. An impressive 112 players played at any given time, competing in eight games played simultaneously in the knockout tournament which offered four hours of high intensity soccer.
Local businesses and organisations also entered teams, who not only dressed up and showed their best colours, but also donated prizes for the day.
Delightful turnout
Kilt's Managing Director Sandy Ueckermann was delighted with the turnout.
"Kilt's mission is to give every child in Knysna the opportunity to receive quality education and the chance to pursue their dreams for the future. All parents want their children to grow and thrive," she said.
"Covid-19 was a very difficult time for learning and teaching in Knysna and we felt that the time was right to bring Knysna families and educators together to enjoy getting to know each other and to appreciate what we have in common. It was a great day all round. We believe this will become a local landmark on Knysna's festival calendar in the years to come."
Spectators enjoyed a range of food stalls, kids games and activities including a LEGO Robotics display and a dance exhibition led by local dancers who showed off their impressive moves during the lunch break.
Tough competition
With not only bragging rights, but also an impressive trophy up for grabs, competition was fierce.
The trophy was named in honour of legendary Percy Mdala High School principal, Nicholas Njozela, who retired earlier this year. It could only be won by one team though, and the first-ever winners of the Kilt Family Fun Day was BSM Sports Development who defeated Rheenendal Primary in the final 1-0.
They walked away with the Nicholas Njozela Trophy as well as a boat trip and educational tour for 10, courtesy of SANParks.
Runner-up Rheenendal Primary received 10 meal vouchers donated by 34° South, and Fraaisig Primary in third place received 10 meal vouchers from Bao Wow.
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