Shepherded by former MVP trainee and South African Olympian Geraldine Pillay, students and teachers of Willow Ridge High School in South Africa created national history. The 28 students (ranging from age 14-18) and three teachers-coaches are the first from their country to make the trip across the world and embrace the greatest high school event worldwide, the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. In providing total Champs coverage, TEENage decided that it would be fitting that we spent some time with the South Africans and make you aware of their events while in Jamaica.

During her time as a member of the Maximum Velocity and Power (MVP) Track Club, Geraldine told TEENage that she was “blessed with an opportunity to attend Champs” and told herself that given the opportunity, she would expose South African youths to what she believed was the premier high school championships across the face of the Earth. Becoming involved at Willow Ridge High School, she capitalised on the trip made by Minister Olivia Grange to South Africa and presented her with the idea of taking a few of the athletes to Champs. Intrigued by the idea, communication took place and as a result, the South Africans were provided with a grand opportunity to “experience quality athletics”.

It is often said that to be the best you have to beat the best, and while she admitted that her athletes were not as prolific as our Jamaican high school athletes, she had hoped that they would be able to compete in some of our events. Being a Jamaican championship, however, the South African contingent was given the disappointing news that they would not be able to compete.

Their disappointment did not last long as they were marvelled by the Champs 100 opening ceremony last Tuesday which some of the athletes likened to an Olympic opening ceremony. They were then given a tour of a few schools that would be participating in the Championships. On Wednesday they journeyed to St. Jago high School where they were given a feel of a co-educational high school in Jamaica. On Thursday and Friday respectively they travelled to St. Hugh’s High and Kingston College High. At Kingston College a flurry of the South African athletes, (especially the girls) saw it fit to acquire clothing. On each day they ventured to the National Stadium to embrace Champs 100 and cheer on the schools they have been hearing about.

Based on the general feedback given by coaches and athletes, Champs was phenomenal and a must see again. With this, Geraldine was also keen on telling TEENage that they will be hoping to make this trip an annual one from now on providing that the necessary funding and accommodations are in sync. With many athletes within the group hoping to become professionals, Geraldine believed that Champs 100 exposed the athletes to top class athletics and give them of a different view of a sport with is just viewed as an activity in South Africa. As seen in the fact that many of the students had their jerseys autographed by some of our top international athletes inclusive of Shelly-Ann Fraser and Asafa Powell, we may just be seeing some of these athletes representing their country in international meets to come.