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Durban trip (6-10 October)The KwaZulu-Natal Champs fitted perfectly into our competition program, and a nice opportunity to visit Durban for our annual 'reward for working hard' trip. It was very disappointing that all expected participants from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng pulled out, leaving us without competition. For a second year in a row our reward trip was without competition. Last year Cape Town could not offer us any competition. What is going on with rowing in our country? Not too much it seems. Anyway, in our township, filled with apathy and empty promises, we can not say to our active youth: "Thanks for working hard all year, but sorry, no reward, no trip this year." A large group of 14 rowers qualified for the special trip and visited Durban, first time for all. It was very nice. The highlights were visits to the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the uShaka Marine World. Well done to the 14 rowers for the enthusiasm and working hard all year, the trip was well deserved! Thanks to Lottery and our sponsor J-Pak for making the trip possible. |
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President's Award (23 September)Last year we started offering the President's Award program for our
members, who can volunteer to participate. To qualify for the bronze
award you have to do 25 hours of sport (easy for us), skills development,
community service, and an 'adventurous journey. All together 100 hours of
hard but rewarding work. The minimum age is 15. Most of our members
are too young to participate. The award leader in our organisation is
Lunga Vulindlu. Our first Award event was in King Williams Town. |
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Head Regatta (17 September)The Heads Regatta on the Buffalo River in East London is the last long
distance competition of the season. It was a nice event with good weather
and great results for the Nemato rowers. Zongeziwe Nxesi Odwa Quma Zolani Fandeso Bongisani Magopheni Thulani Magongo (cox) Thembani James Lifa Nxopho Onele Veto Xolisani Hina Aphelele Makeleni (cox) |
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Nemato Sculls Head (23 July)Nemato Sculls Head is our annual long distance competition for single sculls. We had participants
from ZRC, NMMU and Grey High School, all from Port Elizabeth, and from our own club. Nemato won
3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals. |
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Three Sisters hike (17 July)On the last day of the winter holiday a group of brave young athletes walked all the way to the Three Sisters, a group of rock formations on our beach. It was an impressive achievement, especially for the youngest athletes. The total distance was over 30km! |
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Rowers meet Zuma (13 July)Three members of Nemato Rowing Club were invited to Grahamstown by the President's Award to meet President Zuma in a 'Youth Dialogue'. The invited rowers were: Bongisani Magopheni, Thulani Magongo (both bronze medallists) and Lunga Vulindlu (award leader). |
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National Arts Festival (30 June - 8 July)Nemato Sports Federation got tickets donated for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. The most active members were selected for three different shows. The tickets were donated by the festival and organised by Sombhulula Services NPO. Transport was organised by Stenden South Africa. |
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Youth Day (16 June)Youth Day is a very special day for our organisation. It commemorates the uprising of school children against the educational system introduced by the apartheid regime. The upraising started on June 16, 1976. The police used brutal force against the children, killing and torturing many. The photo of the killed Hector Pieterson shocked the world. The uprising is seen as the turning point in the history of the apartheid regime, leading to the freedom we have now in South Africa. But many youth still enjoy very little freedom. They live in poverty and have little change to get a better future. Our organisation started on June 16, 2006 with the opening of the rowing club by National Minister of Sport Rev. Stofile. We continue the struggle for a better future for our youth. On Youth Day we reward our dedicated athletes for working hard. Prizes for 11 athletes for doing exceptionally well, and certificates for 43 dedicated athletes. Cake and cool-drinks for all. Four prizes were donated by Child Welfare Port Alfred. |
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Surfing (23 May)We were invited to try surfing on the big Indian Ocean. Great fun and some talent discovered. |
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Horse Shoe Bend row (15 May)The long row on our beautiful Kowie River to the Horse Shoe Bend. Up and down in total 42km. 20 rowers participated and all completed the challenge. |
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Mansfield camp (2-3 April)A reward for good attendance in the first months of the year: a two day camp at Mansfield outside Port Alfred. It was the first activity for the rowers, gymnasts and netball players together and also the first special activity for a large group of new members. It was a nice opportunity to get to know each other. |
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Beginners courseIn the summer holiday we started a new beginners course at Kiddies Beach, our little shallow lagoon. After passing the rowing and the swimming tests, the beginners are allowed to row on the river. At the start of the Easter holiday, all beginners passed the tests and are rowing on the river. |
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