Grootbos Foundation Sports Update

Grootbos Foundation update today begins with sports news despite it being the school holiday. Schools only reopen next week, but the U16 and U19  Grootbos Foundation soccer teams played friendly matches against Vivo United from Hermanus. The teams loved the opportunity to test their skills and team strengths against each other. Grootbos Foundation was thrilled to win both matches this time: U19 4-1 to Grootbos U16 2-0 to Grootbos. The love of the game and the joy of playing on the pristine artificial pitch at Spaces4Sport in Gansbaai, which was sponsored by Premier League, Grootbos Foundation and Rhinoturf, makes the experience priceless. The Grootbos Foundation U16 team played in their red match kit.

The U19s looked formidable in their green match kit.

The Canoeing Race Results are in from the SA Canoeing Marathon Championship held from3 - 5 July 2026 in Zandvlei, Muizenburg.Congratulations to these paddlers who achieved incredible results in long distance paddling and completed the following races in great overall times U/12 Guppy race: Distance 6kmLukhanyo Rani Abulele Ngxaka    U/14 K1 race: Distance 15.5kmSonelise Tuwani Bubuntu Notwala Khanyolwethu Mtekula Sakhe Tshayela U/16 K1 race: Distance 22.8kmYonwaba Taliwe Ripley Robertshaw U/18 K1 race: Distance 22.8kmSinoyolo Hendrick Imange Msolo U/23 K1 race: Distance 26.45kmKhanyisa Ngxaka A special congratulations go to Yonwaba and Sakhe who finished 3rd in theU/16 K2 race of 22.8km (This photo is of them racing hard!)And congratulations to Khanyisa and Imange who showed special dedication and grit when they finished third in the U/23 K2 race over 26.45km

This is them back at training on the Klein River in Stanford this week, where Sakhe (left) and Yonwaba (right) are fired up to come 2nd next time they race K2 together!

CJ Mzimba took part in the International Sprint Regatta in Italy from 3-5 July. He competed in the 1'000m, 500m, 200m and 5km in both K1 and K2 disciplines alongside his teammate Timothy. CJ gave his all, and we are all extremely proud of his efforts in this prestigious event.  From CJ himself: 'Racing was tough, the guys were stronger than me, and some of them were older than me, but it was a great experience! I had a lot of fun, and I am hoping to come back even stronger next time. Well done to this incredible young star who started with basic water safety, mastered a guppy, and then powered his way into K1 and K2. He has inspired a whole town.

Neriyah Dill has just won the 3rd stage of the gruelling Berg River Canoe Marathon. She is the leading woman who is more than an hour ahead of the next woman paddler. Tomorrow, Neriyah's hard work and total dedication to the sport of marathon racing will come together in victory, which has been in her sights for the last 2 years. We are all cheering for this young woman who has turned canoeing on open water into a lifestyle. She inspires a town and a whole sport!

This is Snesihle Ziwile, Nathi Mayile and Chloe Valentine who represented Boland at an U18 Rugby Tournament this winter holiday.