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Sport At College

College Sport

With a wide selection of sports to choose from, there is a place for every boy, no matter what their level of skill, interest, or objective may be. Sport builds confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, and a sense of belonging – and is fundamental to the emotional, social, and physical development of boys.

At College, there are opportunities across a large number of official sports, both team-based and individual, as well as a number of ‘unofficial’ sports and disciplines, like the intricacies of rugby refereeing, for boys to enjoy. Each of these sports is taught by passionate coaches who bring experience and insight to the sports field.

The sports field is a place where meaningful life lessons are learned and character is developed. Through sport, a boy will learn to win and to lose; to know when to strive for more and when to be gracious in defeat; to push himself; to lead as well as to be led; to think as a member of a team; to adapt and to co-operate.

We are also extremely fortunate to have many extra sporting facilities adjacent to our school including the Natal Canoe Club on the banks of the Dusi River, a ten-lane tartan athletics track, the Harry Gwala Soccer Stadium, the Alexandra Park Cricket Oval and the Velodrome cycling track. Our boys enjoy the use of all of these facilities as well as our substantial on-campus facilities.

Sport Facilities

Our high-end on-site sporting facilities are emblematic of College’s commitment to sporting excellence. Our location also means we are ideally situated adjacent to the Natal Canoe Club on the banks of the Dusi River, a ten-lane tartan athletics track, Harry Gwala Stadium, Alexandra Park Cricket Oval and Velodrome cycling track.

Famous College Sportsmen

Many professional sportsmen played school sport on the fields at Maritzburg College. With 15 Springbok caps and many regional and district representatives, the success of our Old Boys in sport can be ascribed to our unwavering coaching standards and strong sporting culture.

Match days and friendlies have been a source of anticipation and excitement across generations of boys at Maritzburg College. The competitiveness of these events inspires growth within the sport. Follow the latest sporting updates for boys, parents, and Old Boys with our consistently updated calendars and results.

Rugby

Maritzburg College has a rich rugby history extending back to 1870 when College played their first ever schoolboy rugby game against Hermannsberg. Today, as many as thirty teams take the field every weekend, playing the game with enthusiasm and pride. The school’s rugby success is built on a firm and broad foundation – one which has seen an Old Collegiate in every World Cup winning squad.

Most notable amongst College players is the fierce determination and spirit typifying College teams and imbuing them with an indomitable will to win.

Boys are exposed to the latest coaching methods, well-trained coaches, and full-time High Performance support staff. This team puts boys on to a training programme for proper pre-season and in-season conditioning, ensuring that they are in peak physical condition. On-site physiotherapists also implement effective rehabilitation programmes to secure speedy and full recovery from injury.

Our rugby coaches regularly attend coaching courses. Internal coaching courses are also conducted and outside specialists are regularly brought in to address coaches on specific issues – from rugby, fitness, conditioning and nutrition to refereeing. This equips coaches with the ability to conduct well-planned practices and fulfil a mentorship role in each boy’s life.

College rugby kit is sponsored by Gilbert and Thirsti are the main name sponsor on our jerseys.

Director of Rugby: Mr Hein Kriek

Cricket

The very game of cricket and the spirit in which it ought to be played ties into the Maritzburg College core values and aids the development of young men into all-round gentlemen.

Cricket at College has been played for over 150 years and has played an integral part of College’s culture and ethos. In that time, many provincial and international representatives have developed a love of the game on the Goldstone’s cricket oval.

Extensive, top-level facilities and highly trained staff give the boys a firm grounding for growing their game. They are also given many opportunities many opportunities to test their skills against rival schools. This plays a role in boys’ social growth through sport and takes their cricket to the next level, creating a lifelong interest in the sport.

Director of Cricket: Mr Kyle Nipper

Hockey

Our mission is for all hockey players to develop a passion for the game that will inspire them to play long after they leave school. We have long set the benchmark in South Africa through our coaching structures, coupled with our progressive and innovative strength and conditioning.

College has earned 103 SA U18 caps, including 8 captains, with 34 Old Boys picked to play for the South African Men’s Hockey Team. We provide expert coaching in outstanding facilities. Robin Jones (Director of Hockey) is a former indoor and outdoor international player, a member of the junior national coaching setup, and a national u21 men’s selector. Our A-level coaches, Kyle Emerson and Brandon Swart, have coached at provincial A level for numerous years, producing countless national selections.

Director of Hockey: Mr Robin Jones

MIC: Mr Kyle Emerson

Soccer

For many boys at Maritzburg College, soccer is their winter sport of choice. Our players benefit from the camaraderie and values of sportsmanship that are inherent in the beautiful game.

Soccer achieved prominence at Maritzburg College in the early 1880s. Today, it has risen to become one of the most popular sports in the school and many players have gone on to achieve higher honours, with College boys featuring regularly in both district and provincial teams. Mr Nic Haswell (OC 1997) joined as Director of Soccer in 2021 and, under his leadership, the sport continues to grow to even greater heights.

Maritzburg College has proudly produced many professional players.

Director of Soccer: Mr Nic Haswell

MIC: Mr Mike Dibben

Waterpolo

Waterpolo has become a favourite summer sport for boys at College. It is a great all-round sport that helps with strength, stamina, hand-eye co-ordination, and teamwork. Maritzburg College put out no fewer than six open teams, three u15 teams, and three u14 teams each year. As the sport grows, the demand for more teams does as well.

Our facilities are top-class and our water polo pool is heated, which allows our players to enjoy a good pre-season in the cold Maritzburg winter months. This gives our players the means to ensure that they perform at their best in the pool. Boys enjoy two pool sessions and two gym sessions to get them ready for fixtures.

Director of Waterpolo: Mr Darren Sheriff

Basketball

Basketball is played as a summer sport in the first and fourth terms of the year. Many of the College boys choose to play basketball as it assists with fitness, speed, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness in preparation for the winter sports.

Maritzburg College is fortunate to have a modern indoor centre with two courts and three outdoor courts where our boys benefit from excellent coaching. Players compete regularly in inter-school fixtures, as well as provincial tournaments where they come up against teams from Southern African regions. Players are regularly are selected for the KZN team. As long as there are hoops, the College players will keep shooting.

Director of Basketball: Mr Suwi Siwila

MIC: Ms Nolwazi Ngcobo

Athletics

Athletics is a popular summer sport at Maritzburg College, with our boys regularly achieving outstanding results in a number of inter-school meetings, both provincially and nationally.

Athletes compete in ASA League meetings held in Durban during the season, as well invitational meetings held at Grey College, Menlo Park, and Hilton. Our Friday evening meetings (under floodlights) are quickly becoming an inter-school favourite.

MIC: Mr Meiring Kritzinger

Athletics

Athletics is a popular summer sport at Maritzburg College, with our boys regularly achieving outstanding results in a number of inter-school meetings, both provincially and nationally.

Athletes compete in ASA League meetings held in Durban during the season, as well invitational meetings held at Grey College, Menlo Park, and Hilton. Our Friday evening meetings (under floodlights) are quickly becoming an inter-school favourite.

MIC: Mrs Meiring Kritzinger

Canoeing

Arguably one of the top paddling schools in the country, Maritzburg College has an illustrious canoeing history. Canoeists enjoy the great outdoors, train with top coaches, and perform at the highest levels of the sport.

College is within walking distance of Camps Drift – home of the Natal Canoe Club and the start of the Dusi Canoe Marathon – making it an ideal school for boys to embrace the sport. Paddlers participate in a variety of disciplines, including marathon, sprints, slalom, canoe polo, river racing, and surf-ski – and a high number of boys continue to paddle after their school years.

MIC: Mr Brandon van der Walt

Canoeing

Arguably one of the top paddling schools in the country, Maritzburg College has an illustrious canoeing history. Canoeists enjoy the great outdoors, train with top coaches, and perform at the highest levels of the sport.

College is within walking distance of Camps Drift – home of the Natal Canoe Club and the start of the Dusi Canoe Marathon – making it an ideal school for boys to embrace the sport. Paddlers participate in a variety of disciplines, including marathon, sprints, slalom, canoe polo, river racing, and surf-ski – and a high number of boys continue to paddle after their school years.

MIC: Mr Brandon van der Walt

Chess

Played throughout the year, boys are given a chance to specialise in chess. Every year, College hosts the district league, with schools converging on our campus to compete for 10 positions in the Midlands team per age group.

External coaches assist with strategy and their overall game. We have a close relationship with the Umngungundlovu Chess League and participate in their online tournaments, as well as competitive exchange programmes, to sharpen the skills of players. Many boys make the district teams every year, holding top three positions.

MIC: Mr Ngcebo Thembela

Chess

Played throughout the year, boys are given a chance to specialise in chess. Every year, College hosts the district league, with schools converging on our campus to compete for 10 positions in the Midlands team per age group.

External coaches assist with strategy and their overall game. We have a close relationship with the Umngungundlovu Chess League and participate in their online tournaments, as well as competitive exchange programmes, to sharpen the skills of players. Many boys make the district teams every year, holding top three positions.

MIC: Mr Ngcebo Thembela

Cross Country

Cross country running is offered at College as a winter sport. A large group of boys make use of this option, testing their endurance on a wide variety of open-air courses and building a high level of fitness. Many boys choose to do cross country as a second sport in order to enhance their fitness for other sports such as rugby, hockey, and canoeing. They join in our Midlands League competition, which has approximately six race meetings during the second term.

At Maritzburg College, we have an annual inter-house meeting. Here, our ten sporting houses compete in spirit-filled events with a high level of competition between the boys.

MIC: Mr Brandon de Lange

Cross Country

Cross country running is offered at College as a winter sport. A large group of boys make use of this option, testing their endurance on a wide variety of open-air courses and building a high level of fitness. Many boys choose to do cross country as a second sport in order to enhance their fitness for other sports such as rugby, hockey, and canoeing. They join in our Midlands League competition, which has approximately six race meetings during the second term.

At Maritzburg College, we have an annual inter-house meeting. Here, our ten sporting houses compete in spirit-filled events with a high level of competition between the boys.

MIC: Mr Brandon de Lange

Cycling

As an adventurous sport, cycling appeals to the spirit of many boys. Our cycling team trains together twice a week and races every weekend.

We provide cyclists with the best opportunities to develop and improve their skills, strength, and abilities. The sport fosters a close relationship encompassing juniors, seniors, coaches, and families.

Boys are transported to and from riding venues and have access to the High-Performance Centre, where they are issued with a biokineticist-created gym programme, ensuring they achieve peak fitness and strength conditioning.

MIC: Mr Jonathan Tyler

Cycling

As an adventurous sport, cycling appeals to the spirit of many boys. Our cycling team trains together twice a week and races every weekend.

We provide cyclists with the best opportunities to develop and improve their skills, strength, and abilities. The sport fosters a close relationship encompassing juniors, seniors, coaches, and families.

Boys are transported to and from riding venues and have access to the High-Performance Centre, where they are issued with a biokineticist-created gym programme, ensuring they achieve peak fitness and strength conditioning.

MIC: Mr Jonathan Tyler

Golf

Under the guidance of dedicated coaches, boys develop their golf game and improve through regular competition. Boys play throughout the year, giving them a chance to specialise. A bus travels to the golf course or driving range four days a week.

Most notably, boys play three 18-hole tournaments which are used to select a Midlands team. Thereafter a KZN team is selected.

The school team participates in the KZN Foundation Tournament. A champion school is then chosen to represent the province at a national event.

MIC: Mr Darryl Trodd

Golf

Under the guidance of dedicated coaches, boys develop their golf game and improve through regular competition. Boys play throughout the year, giving them a chance to specialise. A bus travels to the golf course or driving range four days a week.

Most notably, boys play three 18-hole tournaments which are used to select a Midlands team. Thereafter a KZN team is selected.

The school team participates in the KZN Foundation Tournament. A champion school is then chosen to represent the province at a national event.

MIC: Mr Darryl Trodd

Shooting

Boys who participate in this sport benefit from an on-campus, state-of-the-art shooting facility and have the opportunity to participate in the SAARA KZN league with a chance to make the SA team.

Our school is well-represented in the Midlands and KZN teams, with many boys shooting for KZN in competitions around the country. With expert external coaches, we train our boys at a high level in one of the best and safest school ranges in South Africa.

MIC: Mr Gonas Govindasamy

Shooting

Boys who participate in this sport benefit from an on-campus, state-of-the-art shooting facility and have the opportunity to participate in the SAARA KZN league with a chance to make the SA team.

Our school is well-represented in the Midlands and KZN teams, with many boys shooting for KZN in competitions around the country. With expert external coaches, we train our boys at a high level in one of the best and safest school ranges in South Africa.

MIC: Mr Gonas Govindasamy

Squash

A growing number of boys play squash both socially and competitively all year round, regularly excelling in interschools and local leagues. Squash combines speed, skill, and mental strength, with values that can be applied throughout boys’ lives.

The College squash team represents KZN at the National Top Schools each year, with noteworthy past successes. Additionally, the 2020 Midlands Men’s Jarvis Cup team was made up entirely of Old Collegians. College has excellent coaches and the calibre of squash being played at the school is very encouraging for the future.

MIC: Mr Chris Nevay

Squash

A growing number of boys play squash both socially and competitively all year round, regularly excelling in interschools and local leagues. Squash combines speed, skill, and mental strength, with values that can be applied throughout boys’ lives.

The College squash team represents KZN at the National Top Schools each year, with noteworthy past successes. Additionally, the 2020 Midlands Men’s Jarvis Cup team was made up entirely of Old Collegians. College has excellent coaches and the calibre of squash being played at the school is very encouraging for the future.

MIC: Mr Chris Nevay

Swimming

Our well-established and successful swimming squads benefit from top-class coaching and facilities at Maritzburg College. Swimmers’ dedication to training means squads thrive on competition and consistently strive to raise the bar.

We boast an A and a B Swimming Squad. Our heated swimming pool allows for pre-season training. With our swimming season being so short, focus is placed on starts, turns, stroke correction, and speed work. Each age group trains over two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions per week.

MIC: Mr Darren Sherriff

Swimming

Our well-established and successful swimming squads benefit from top-class coaching and facilities at Maritzburg College. Swimmers’ dedication to training means squads thrive on competition and consistently strive to raise the bar.

We boast an A and a B Swimming Squad. Our heated swimming pool allows for pre-season training. With our swimming season being so short, focus is placed on starts, turns, stroke correction, and speed work. Each age group trains over two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions per week.

MIC: Mr Darren Sherriff

Table Tennis

Table tennis is an official school sport that is growing in popularity. We have seen a great improvement in our results and achievements since it became an official school sport. Our first team have excelled in the school exchanges, winning regularly against top schools.

Our boys participate in a highly competitive elite singles league and a school development league. They have excelled over the years, with many making the district teams. Some have played for the KZN team and one learner has achieved SA colours.

MIC: Mr Nithia Pillay

Table Tennis

Table tennis is an official school sport that is growing in popularity. We have seen a great improvement in our results and achievements since it became an official school sport. Our first team have excelled in the school exchanges, winning regularly against top schools.

Our boys participate in a highly competitive elite singles league and a school development league. They have excelled over the years, with many making the district teams. Some have played for the KZN team and one learner has achieved SA colours.

MIC: Mr Nithia Pillay

Tennis

Tennis is played with enthusiasm and exceptional levels of commitment at Maritzburg College, resulting in a high standard of play amongst an ever-growing group of boys. Our five on-campus tennis courts, dedicated coaching staff, and regular fixtures mean College’s tennis players have every opportunity to excel.

Tennis is an all-year round sport. There are two Midlands inter-school leagues, which are played in the first and third terms. We enjoy participating in the inter-provincial exchanges with the winter sports codes.

MIC: Mrs Maria Troveri

Tennis

Tennis is played with enthusiasm and exceptional levels of commitment at Maritzburg College, resulting in a high standard of play amongst an ever-growing group of boys. Our five on-campus tennis courts, dedicated coaching staff, and regular fixtures mean College’s tennis players have every opportunity to excel.

Tennis is an all-year round sport. There are two Midlands inter-school leagues, which are played in the first and third terms. We enjoy participating in the inter-provincial exchanges with the winter sports codes.

MIC: Mrs Maria Troveri