January 25, 2024
Sport
Sport at Bergvliet is seen as an extension of the curriculum and the educational experience we aim to provide. While sport is not compulsory, it is strongly encouraged, and a majority of our pupils are involved in one or more sports. We believe that children should experience as many different sports as possible in their Junior school years, before they have to make a narrower choice in High school.
Sports offered include tennis, cricket, athletics, swimming, hockey, cross-country, netball and dance. We are very fortunate to have some excellent facilities which help our teams excel.
We are very lucky to have excellent coaches, many of whom have even represented their provinces or even South Africa.
From U10 level, and earlier in some sports, teams are entered in the inter-school leagues. Over the past few years our sport has grown steadily and improved from year to year. We are very competitive in the leagues. While we are mindful of the educational value of sport, teams are chosen on merit and commitment.
School awards may be made to those pupils representing the school 1st teams, but all pupils who achieve will be publicly recognised.
Athletics
Bergvliet Primary offers Athletics as a summer code of sport during the first and fourth terms. In Athletics we offer a range of disciplines including sprinting, middle distance, high jump and shot put. Our annual Athletics Day takes place at the beginning of the year. This is a very exciting time at our school because all the learners in the Intermediate and Senior Phase (Grade 4 - 7) are involved and get a chance to participate. The Inter house spirit is encouraged by our various house heads. The Foundation Phase (Grade R - 3) have their own athletics afternoon.
Following the Inter house Athletics Day the best athletes are selected to train and participate in the Zonal Athletics meeting. At this meeting various schools from the surrounding area compete against each other. Our athletes have done extremely well at this event in the past. Some have even been chosen to be part of the Provincial Team.
Following the Inter house Athletics Day the best athletes are selected to train and participate in the Zonal Athletics meeting. At this meeting various schools from the surrounding area compete against each other. Our athletes have done extremely well at this event in the past. Some have even been chosen to be part of the Provincial Team.
Chess
Chess is an extra mural activity which develops mental abilities such as concentration, critical thinking, abstract reasoning, problem solving and planning. The challenges are endless and every game is different so the children need to be self motivated. Many parallels have been drawn between mathematics, music and chess.
We have chess once a week and it is preferable for the players to know the basics. We have a coach who comes in once a week to help children develop their skills. The chess team play weekly matches on a Friday.
Cricket
At Bergvliet Primary School cricket is offered to all learners as a summer sporting code (in the first and fourth terms). We encourage all boys to make use of this opportunity.
Grade 1 boys and girls have cricket once a week with the focus on growing their skills through enjoyment and full participation
In Grade 2 and 3, boys play mini-cricket matches against other schools for the first time. Two teams compete at this level. Matches are played using a soft ball. We also start to prepare the boys for hard ball cricket and from time to time will have an opportunity in the nets.
From Grade 4 to 7 we enter the boys in the leagues arranged by the Western Province Youth Cricket Association, and this is where the boys' real cricket careers begin. This includes teams from the U10 to the U13 level. Depending on the number of boys interested in playing cricket, we enter either one or two teams per age group.
Approximately 100 boys participate in cricket at Bergvliet.
We also have a Girls cricket team for Grade 4 - 7 girls. We have approximately 20 girls attending practice sessions with one team playing matches on Fridays.
Cross Country
Cross Country takes place in Term 2 and Term 3 and is open to our U8-U14 learners. Our U7’s will have training days but don’t compete in the races.
Races are held on Fridays at various schools and venues.
The following age - groups and distances apply:
- U8 boys and girls - 1km
- U9 boys and girls - 2km
- U10 boys and girls - 2km
- U11 boys and girls - 3km
- U12 boys and girls - 3km
- U13 girls - 3km
- U13 boys and U14 boys and girls - 4km
Races are staggered with the U8 group running first, followed by U9, U10, etc. Runners must run more than half the league races and finish in the overall top positions, in order to qualify for the Zonal Trials. The top runners will then be invited to compete in the Western Province Cross Country Championships.
Hockey
Hockey is a growing sport and we have seen a lot of success with our senior teams.
We currently have 10 hockey teams competing every week.
The U13 boys play matches on Wednesdays and all other boys and girls teams play on a Thursday.
We try to use the Astro as much as possible, offering early morning practices from time to time.
Netball
Netball is one of Bergvliet Primary’s major winter sports for girls. The girls are able to begin netball from Grade 1. In Grade 1 and 2 , the girls concentrate on the basic netball rules and ball skills with the emphasis on enjoyment. From U9, the girls are exposed to match situations. The older girls practise once a week and have a match once a week. At their practice, these girls hone their netball skills and match strategies.
Each age group has three teams that play league matches throughout the season with other schools nearby.
At Bergvliet Primary we are privileged to have 4 netball courts. We also have a dedicated team of coaches who are enthusiastic about this sport.
The U13 girls also play a fun match against the school's staff.
Bergvliet Primary can proudly say that their netball girls display wonderful sportsmanship on and off the netball court.
Soccer
Our U7’s are introduced to soccer , where they are encouraged to enjoy themselves, understand the nature of a team sport and hopefully instill in them a passion for the game. From a young age, vital skills are taught, drilled and understood, so that by senior primary level, players are well-equipped to handle tough matches
Toughness is an attitude! Being the best takes a lot of hard work, discipline and focus, but above all, it's about having heart and wanting to WANT the victory! This is often not possible without the strong determination and passion of our dedicated soccer parents who are our strongest supporters in every way.
Success at Bergvliet Primary can be attributed to the coaches, players, commitment, support and dedication, but mostly it has been through the immense soccer spirit and passion that permeates every heart and soul involved in soccer at Bergvliet Primary.
We currently have two teams per age-group from U8 - U14. These players play matches home and away every week.
Swimming
Swimming is generally a summer sport which takes place in the first and fourth terms. We are most fortunate to have a 25m solar heated pool and our swimmers have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to train during the winter terms.
Time trials take place at the beginning of the year. The top swimmers in each age group from U8 – U13 are selected for the team. The team swimmers train on two afternoons a week and mornings a week. It is compulsory for them to attend two of the three sessions.
There are also Intermediate swimming sessions for those learners who don’t make the team and may require stroke correction. These sessions take place on two afternoons.
Our squad swims in various galas throughout the year, including a gala hosted by Bergvliet Primary.
We have recently included a Learn to Swim program for our Grade R’s and Grade 1’s at no extra cost and our qualified coaches take these sessions.
Tennis
Boys' and Girls' tennis is played in the summer terms. There are three groups of tennis players : Social, Intermediate and Team. Anyone, from Grades 4 - 7, is welcome to play tennis, and will be slotted into one of the three groups, depending on ability.
Practices for the Social and Intermediate groups take place on the school courts in the afternoons, while the team practices are held at Bergvliet Tennis Club. Our team consists of four players with matches on Fridays, with each team member playing two doubles matches.