The 2022
Absa Wildeklawer Sports Tournament is underway with High Schools scheduled for
Kimberley from the 29th of April to the 2nd of May. The opportunity to meet and
discuss tactics and lessons with the likes of Dumisani Chauke and Victor
Matfield is the ultimate opportunity for aspiring netball and rugby players.
The
prestigious tournament is designed to give young athletes the opportunity to
showcase their skills and compete against some of the top-performing schools in
the country. With the appearance of the Absa Wildeklawer ambassadors, Dumisani
Chauke and Victor Matfield, the athletes will get the opportunity to learn from
the best and tap into their unlimited wealth of knowledge.
Matfield
is aware of what is at stake for the rugby youngsters as the under-18 Craven
Week is coming up in a few months' time, and many of the players will be using
the opportunity to cement their position in the team. But it will also be
netball that Matfield will be taking a keen interest in this year as his
daughter will be competing.
"My
visit to the Absa Wildeklawer Sports Tournament will be completely different
this year," he said. "Firstly,
I am interested to see how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected our South African
youth in terms of skills and overall performance on the rugby field. Not being
able to play competitively for two years is not ideal and can set us back when
it comes to sports development. Secondly, I will be viewing both the rugby and
netball tournament through the eyes of a parent. I have three girls, and this
is the first time I will be watching a tournament of this magnitude as a
parent. I understand the pressures that the kids face, and I am hoping to chat
to some of the parents (rugby and netball) and help them understand what their
children are going through."
“I will
be supporting my daughter on the netball court as a parent that wants her to
enjoy the sport, I am not there to add extra pressure on her. I will be doing
the same thing at the rugby tournament where I will be supporting the boys and
providing guidance,” said Matfield.
Chauke also
expressed her excitement to experience and watch the Absa Wildeklawer Sports
Tournament. "I am looking forward to seeing the excited faces of the
netballers as they begin competing at the highest level of the game again. At last, we are back in action, and now is
the time to up the level of skills as these are our future stars and heroes of
the game. It will not be long before
they start vying for their place in the national team. My message to them all
is to enjoy every game and appreciate the experience and opportunity that they
have been given. Celebrate the wins and learn from the losses. I am expecting to see some fierce competition
on the court, and new friendships developing off the court," said Chauke.
This
year, Absa has also introduced many innovations that have enhanced the
experience for all involved, such as the Absa MegaU Luxury Bus: with free Wi-Fi, VR rugby games
and PlayStations. These will all be available for players and fans to entertain
themselves. In addition to the bus, Absa has also introduced the Absa
Kuierkamer; an area for invited guests to sit, relax and watch games.
On the 29th of April, Matfield can be found at either
the Absa MegaU Luxury Bus or the Absa Kuierkamer while Chauke is scheduled to
attend the tournament on the 30th of April and 2nd of May.
For more information on the Absa Wildeklawer, visit https://wildeklawer.com/absa-wildeklawer-sport-2022/
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