Magazine 2019

117 The Junior Preparatory once again ended the Summer Quarter on a high note, as the Grade 1 - 3 learners participated in the Fun Sports Day.This is one of the highlights on the Junior Preparatory sporting calendar, that the learners look forward to weeks in advance, and this year was no different. It is the Grade 1s’ first exposure to competing in their dif - ferent houses and war cries are sung with great gusto, while the athletes compete for the advantage in the different track and field events. RUGBY Rugby preparations already started in the beginning of the Summer Quarter with a pre-season training programme, focussing on perfecting and improving the skills, speed and strength, techniques and vision of our rugby players. Our U10/11 team enjoyed the TableView Primary 10-a-side rugby festival which produced great excitement as well as allowed the opportunity for our players to showcase their skills.The Preparatory rugby teams were also entered into the following rugby festivals: Curro Durbanville U/9 Festival, Panorama Primary U/11 festival, Somerset College U/8 & U/9 festival and the Jan van Riebeeck Primary U/11 and U12/13 festival. The Parklands Rugby programme offers endless oppor- tunities and room for growth as the season runs over an extended period of over two and a half months consisting of weekly league rugby matches as well as occasional Saturday Festivals. Our U/9 A and U10/11 A team enjoyed travelling to Bishops Preparatory for a friendly rugby fixture where both these teams impressed with outstanding performances against the Bishops Preparatory B teams. Our Rugby players are efficiently prepared as to ensure that they are able to compete well. Parklands Preparatory rugby coaching sessions take place twice a week and are focused mainly on skills and techniques with further development in many aspects of the game, positional play and set plays. Our teams’ playing structures during matches illustrate con- trolled freedom to express their skills, decision making and teamwork abilities.The main focus remains on enjoyment and after all just playing the game without added pressures. SOCCER Parklands continued to be part of the Hellenic five-a-side league.This league offers a different playing format from the full field outdoor soccer which most players are used to. Players are exposed to more space, faster pace and more time on the ball.The Hellenic five-a-side soccer league is becoming very popular amongst the players, coaches and CHESS The Parklands chess team competed well in their local league encounters while also enjoying the playing opportunities as Parklands entered the following Saturday chess events:Welgemoed Primary tournament, Panorama Primary tourna- ment, CBC St John’s tournament, DSK Chess tournament. Individually, the players also had the opportunity to participate in the District North and Metro Primary Schools chess trials. Our players are exposed to compete and test their rankings against the best of the best which provides a valuable learning and developing experience.The increased practice hours and pre-season training sessions which continue throughout the Summer and Spring Quarters certainly contributed im- mensely towards the development and growth of our players. Our chess players are commend- ed for their dedication and commitment to their school chess team. U12/13 Rugby