Chess club breaks 18-year stalemate

Face off Climber Joe Mohle on cliffs and far horizons

Eau de chlorine: Alumnus and

SA water polo goalie Matt Kemp 1 contents 1 Forewords by Prof Mike Meadows and John Donald In mind and body – for life 2 Sports briefs 3 Get moving – it matters! Foreword by Professor Mike Meadows, chair of the UCT Sports Council Guest column by psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer

4 Rowing This has been a monumental year for South Af- vidual. Ultimately, sport at this university is a 5 Sports honours rica. At this time just twelve months ago, many potent tool for transformation, a vehicle for bringing people together. 6 Rugby South Africans remained sceptical – if not openly This transformative role is given signifi- 7 Chess critical – of the prospects of hosting a successful cant impetus by the fact that so many of Squash soccer world cup. Now, just a few months after our sports clubs are involved in outreach 8 Alumnus and SA water polo goalie the event, we are basking in the reflected glory of activities within the local community. These projects take a range of formats, but include Matt Kemp our enormous success – perhaps best illustrated providing coaching to clubs and schools 9 Underwater Club by the headlines in a British newspaper the day from the poorer areas of the city, and ar- 10 Alumnus and ultramarathoner Prof after the final, which read: ‘...AND THE WINNER ranging the use of our facilities for teams or AO Okreglicki in the Italian Alps IS... SOUTH (oh, by the way, well done individuals who may have no access of their own. The time and effort expended by our 11 Climbing Spain)’. clubs in utilising their talents in support of 12 Cricket For me, the most important lesson of the 2010 experience was those less advantaged is but one of the ways Karate that sport has an incredible power to harmonise people from to- that UCT sport helps to develop not only our 13 Swimming tally different backgrounds. Walking to the Stadium – own students, but also the wider community Water polo as I did for the one match for which I was lucky enough to obtain beyond the campus. Dirt trackers: Lily the labrador puts UCT Sports Council chair Prof Mike Meadows 14 Hockey tickets – I was struck by an overwhelming sense of unity. It was UCT ranks among the elite, and its aca- (Environmental and Geographical Science) through his paces in above UCT’s Ultimate frisbee a graphic illustration that, as a nation, we can stand (and queue) demic reputation is truly world-class. We main campus. together – as we did in 1994 – and recognise that what brings us need to use the message in the new mission 15 Canoeing together is so much more important than what divides us. to highlight the developmental role of stu- Surfing And so it is with sport here at UCT. This year, Sports Coun- dent-centred sport and, in so doing, achieve Mountain rescue cil launched its new vision and mission, under the banner UCT our goal of being the top tertiary institution 16 Table tennis Sport: In Body and Mind – For Life. Among a large number of in for sport. The year 2010 ap- Sailing values of sport, we recognise that involvement in sport at this pears to be a pivotal one for the nation as a 17 Fencing university – whether as participant, high-performance athlete, whole. Only time will tell if this will hold true Sports Injuries administrator or official – can help to develop the whole indi- for sport on our campus. Soccer for the blind

Cover picture: UCT climber Joe Mohle on Horror Crack, part of the From recreation to top-flight honours Oceans of Fear route in the Winterhoek Range opened by UCT alumnus and climber Andy de Klerk. Picture by Alastair Lee. Editor Message from John Donald, manager of Sport and Recreation Helen Théron www.posingproductions.com Writers Province leagues and at national student Morgan Morris UCT has a real commitment to sport, as is evi- Chris McEvoy denced by the 40 clubs registered with the tournaments, and each year the university Daniella Pollock produces a number of sportspeople who Myolisi Gophe Sports Council; and we estimate that through achieve the highest honour: representing David Capel the provincial affiliation of these clubs and their their country. 2010 is no exception, as is re- Photographs extensive intramural offerings, 50% of our stu- flected in this edition ofCampus Sport. Katherine Traut But it’s not all about top-flight honours. Morgan Morris dents are actively involved in some form of sport Sport and Recreation provides for all levels Art & design or physical recreation. of competition, from purely recreational [email protected] This is good news. The uniqueness of sport and recreation at through to high-performance sport. We also 1 Campus Sport is produced by the ’s Communication UCT finds expression in the role of student leaders in the clubs endorse Dr Helgo Schomer’s sentiments in and Marketing Department on behalf of Student Sport & Recreation at UCT. they lead and the broad spectrum of activities on offer. the guest column on pg 3. Lifetime award: John Donald has a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Western Province Sports Council for his longstanding commitment to hockey in the province and beyond. Online information: www.uct.ac.za Enquiries: Tel +27 (21) 650 9111 UCT has a proud record of achievement both in the Western Get out there – and keep moving! [email protected] Donald was at the frontline of the move to unify the sport’s many unions and associations in 2 the Western Cape in the early 1990s. 1 at UCT, what it can do for an institution like New vision and ours, what it can do for the students here, by health psychologist Dr Helgo Schomer (BA, BA [Hons], MA, PhD) and what it can do for the community mission to guide around UCT,” said Professor Mike Mead- ows, chair of the Sports Council. UCT sport More than that, the document sets out to reconcile sport with academia, added new era for sport at UCT was Meadows. ushered in when the UCT Sports “We very often see sport as an add-on, ACouncil launched its revised vision and I think what this document tries to do and mission on 20 September. is see it as a much more integrated part of The Sports Council’s vision is a bold and the life of a university.” ambitious one: “To be the leading tertiary Heralds: Prof Mike Meadows (left) The words may be new, but not the com- and deputy vice-chancellor Prof Crain institution for student-centred sport by mitments, which have evolved over time, Soudien were pivotal in the launch providing a balanced and broad-based of the new vision and mission of the noted deputy vice-chancellor Professor sports programme that promotes partici- UCT Sports Council. Crain Soudien. He also pointed to what pation and performance excellence and he called “the new space of performance through which students can achieve their catchphrase UCT Sport: In Mind and Body excellence” and the challenge that UCT full potential.” – For Life, also lists the kinds of values that faces to create that space, understanding In turn, its mission recognises that sport can bring to the UCT community. that the demands of sport often clash with Get moving – it matters! through a student-centred approach, sport “What this document really tries to do the demands of the classroom. fosters the development of the ‘whole stu- is inform everyone involved at UCT – and “It’s asking hard questions of where we This is nice. Out of the blue UCT contacts me, inviting me to write for Campus Sport 2010. Why the dent’. The document, headlined by the beyond the university – what sport is about were in the past,” he said. surprise? I took early retirement at the beginning of this year after three decades of teaching and research at UCT. New horizons were calling. Lotto money Yes, I admit I miss you, the students. How brain that benefits instantaneously from be- top, their self-confidence and resilience are could I not? Your ideas, the life, the discus- ing homo ludens, the ‘playing human’, the far more solid, their mental and emotional underpins sports sions, the energy. I loved teaching; I’m a one that moves, sweats and plays sport. development closer to balanced. Those UCT Distinguished Teacher. I had the privi- When my laatlammertjie daughter Enya that play sport with a passion get lost in development lege of bringing sport psychology and then explains to her 12-year-old peers what their full potential to feel human. And it is health psychology to UCT. I couldn’t let this her father does to earn his stay, she quips certainly not the element of winning that is he development initiatives of four long journey of accumulation of knowledge that he counsels CCs: the Confused and at the core of this. It is the experience of be- UCT sports clubs enjoyed a welcome and understanding go to waste. I now ex- Conflicted! Not a bad synopsis. There are ing fully alive, in motion, that does it. Tboost in the shape of a R770 000 port it to a handful of institutions around those, and there are the eating disordered, Do I even have to mention the amazing grant from the National Lottery Distribution the globe, run a consultancy and private the angry, the stressed-out, the mentally power of sport to build a nation’s gees? I Trust Fund (NLDTF). The grant – the first sti- practice, do lots of motivational speak- drained; the list appears endless. And in my thought not. You were there yourself. You pend in a four-year award – will go towards ing, and appear regularly on live radio talk journey with them, and sooner rather than watched it evolve in front of your eyes. Of the development programmes of the rugby, shows. I am having fun. later, sessions will happen while moving. course you sense what it can do to inspire rowing, tennis and yachting clubs. When asked what I would choose as one Gentle stuff at first, walking on flat ground youngsters to start participating, practis- The biggest slice of the pie, over R551 000, of my seminal messages to the student while talking, then more and more strenu- ing, competing. The hosting of the soccer will aid youngsters on a Rowing Club initia- body, looking back at all this from a health ous tasks… still while talking. Mild to mod- world cup on African soil was worth every Water wise: Some of the learners on the Yacht Club’s outreach programme get tive. Started some years ago by UCT students psychologist’s and academic’s perspective, erate depression evaporates, anxiety states cent it cost. It stretched the somewhat stag- the hang of windsurfing during a session at Shark Bay, near Langebaan. and the late Keith Hart (then with UCT Sport it would be: at all costs, keep moving; nev- diminish, moods lift, life energy refreshes, nant imagination of this nation once again, and Recreation), the outreach programme er submit to a sedentary lifestyle, use your the mind rejuvenates. at a time when it was needed so badly. And works with some 100 school learners. Such (aged between 9 and 13) from local town- schools in Cape Town. At one stage Ellis body for what it was designed. This is exertion therapy: it enables re- again, the (collective) mind is the benefi- have been the benefits that the programme ships to the sport. With the kids improving had bewailed the lack of kit, a shortcoming The obvious physical health benefits covery and optimises healing. What about ciary. has since been adopted by Western Cape all the time, new kit was required, so most that the NLDTF money will go a long way are so well-documented by now that you the slightly bigger picture of sport? Deal- So what am I trying to get across to you, Rowing as its official development pro- of the funding will be invested in boards, sail towards rectifying. would have to be virtually brainless not ing with athletes of all calibres who want to reading Campus Sport 2010, from this side gramme. Well over half (around R320 000) of rigs, wetsuits and a trailer, while transport The final recipient is the UCT Rugby Club to comprehend how badly human beings fine-tune their skills is of course a celebra- of the fence? I firmly believe that physical the grant will be spent on indoor rowing ma- and coaching costs will also be covered. – more specifically its Ubumbo team, initially need regular physical exercise for being tion of all that can be. The Roman poet exercise is an essential and necessary expe- chines (aka ‘ergos’), while the rest will cover Just under R27 000 has been earmarked established by the club for UCT students fully alive and well. Hunter-gatherers would Juvenal was not far off the mark with his rience for the emotional and mental wellbe- coaching and transport bills, as well as the for the Tennis Club’s programme, revived in from the Eastern Cape. Apart from playing have vanished from this beautiful, God- philosophy of mens sana in corpore sano, ing of humans, male or female, young and purchase of a coaching boat. 2008 by graduate Jessica Ellis after joining in the UCT internal league, Ubumbo play- given planet if they had stopped moving, a healthy mind in a healthy body. old. To be fully human, never stop moving, The Yacht Club’s windsurfing develop- forces with Michelle Whitehead, founder ers also coach and mentor school learners in running, chasing. Years and years of in-your-face clinical playing, participating. For your health, and ment school, a collaboration with Windsurf- and trustee of the Growing Tennis initiative. , Langa and Nyanga. The R24 000 For millions and millions of years, that is practice have biased me: those who were for your mind. As a student at UCT you ing South Africa and Gust magazine, will By 2009, Ellis, Whitehead and UCT students received from the NLDTF will be split be- what we were busy with. Now we can re- encouraged and nourished to play sport need it, for your future career you have to receive R127 000. were running coaching sessions with hun- tween buying new kit and footing some of gress and vegetate on the couch, motion- appear to be more complete human crea- have it: your life demands it. That programme introduced 10 children dreds of learners at seven primary and high the programme’s costly transport bill. less, pretending to be alive. Yet it is the tures. Their self-images are out there, on It matters! 2 3 Oarsome oarsmen and women

take on the best perience for our UCT guys, and saw us race against some of the world’s best athletes.” Gliddon is also neighbouring high school hough rowing was considered to SACS’ first eight coach, and he says a ma- be a Cinderella sport at the univer- jor achievement in 2010 was SACS winning Tsity several seasons ago, UCT row- the SA Junior Champs in February, for the ers have just completed one of their most second year in a row. impressive years yet – and they’re aiming The team remained unbeaten by South for even better. African competition this past season, and Chairperson of the UCT Rowing Club came second to an English crew from Brendan Gliddon, a third-year mechani- Abingdon at the Old Mutual Schools’ cal engineering student, says 2010 has Boat Race in December 2009, held on the been particularly memorable. Kowie River in the Eastern Cape. Mod- Gliddon, who is also coach of the first elled on the Oxford/Cambridge boat team, says one of the highlights of the race, it’s touted as one of the premier year was a tour to the UK in June and July, national boating events on the South Af- when the team competed in the Marlow rican schools calendar. Honoured: Lydia Hall and Frans Mamabolo have been toasted by USSA, the national and Henley Royal Regattas. Rowing at UCT can only benefit from a governing body for student sport. “We entered the Temple Challenge healthy schools rowing system. Gliddon Cup at Henley, which featured univer- says the UCT Rowing Club increased its sity crews from around the world: the numbers this year and had the most com- US, Canada, , the Netherlands, petitors from any single university at every the UK, and so on. The competition is a regatta. five-day knockout event on a one-mile “University clubs often go through cy- Badges of honour and 550-yard stretch of the Thames. Af- cles, which we need to avoid after getting ter prequalifying for the regatta at the the club to where it is now after a few years Marlow Regatta two weeks beforehand, of rebuilding. We’re looking at updating for sporty two we raced against the University of Belfast our equipment and improving our capacity crew, and unfortunately were knocked to carry more members.” out in the first round,” he says. In an outreach initiative, the club has hough not usually in the limelight, 1998. In addition to representing UCT in But the experience was unparalleled. also set up the Indoor Rowing Programme, UCT sports administrators Lydia chess and basketball at USSA, he’s had “With the old-fashioned traditions and which will bring learners from the city’s THall and Frans Mamabolo were a large hand in the organisation’s karate high level of competition, it was an amaz- disadvantaged schools to its indoor train- honoured by University Sport South Af- committees. ing opportunity for all of us.” ing facility on campus to be coached (and rica (USSA) this year for their service and Both Hall and Mamabolo have en- At the Zambezi International Regatta eventually to compete nationally) on row- commitment to student sport, and their joyed some of the ‘perks’ of serving on held in Livingstone, Zambia, in Septem- ing machines. work within USSA in particular. USSA; they’ve travelled to student com- ber, the A men’s eight represented South Meanwhile, women’s rowing captain Sar- The governing body for student sport petitions across the globe, from Serbia African Universities. It was the fourth se- ah Bishop, a second-year BSc student, says in the country, USSA made the pro meri- to Thailand, Montenegro to Russia. But ries of Oxford vs Cambridge vs South Af- the general standard of rowing at UCT has tus awards – winners receive special that’s not the appeal, they say. rican Universities Boat Races, held at the improved significantly this year. badges to go with their USSA blazers – “It’s about seeing students achieve Zambezi Boat Club. “We had a second eight competing at a national meeting in July. something,” notes Hall. “And if you The event has a rich history, dating throughout the whole year, and this hasn’t Hall’s association with USSA (former- don’t serve on these committees, your from 1904. The last race (in 2004) included happened since 2005. The standard of ly known as the South African Student students miss out.” Brown University from the US. This year rowing is much higher now, due to the in- Sports Union) goes back 25 years to Mamabolo agrees. “The kick that you marked the centenary of the World Pro- creased numbers, and this has helped lift 1986, when she joined UCT. Since then get out of working in student sport is in fessional Sculling Championships, and the performance level of each individual. she’s been working with national and creating opportunities for these kids. was held on the Zambezi River. We made the women’s A and B division A provincial bodies for a number of sports Without sport, many of them might not “We raced crews from Oxford and Cam- finals at Boat Race, and the last time the codes, including aquatics, basketball, have seen the inside of an aeroplane, or bridge Universities, made up of current or first eight made the A final was in 2005. hockey, netball, squash, and (lately) row- have gone overseas.” recent members of their Boat Race crews. “Another highlight was three UCT stu- ing. Sad then, says Mamabolo, that few Oxford won, and Cambridge just edged us dents (sisters Alex and Kate Munnik and Mamabolo is a more recent USSA col- students show an interest in the admin- out in some very close racing,” explained (Above) Brendan Gliddon, first team coach, and (below) with the UCT crew at Kim Joscelyne) making ‘Grudge’ at SASU laborator, but started his involvement in istration of sports clubs, one of the main Henley. Gliddon. “The event was an incredible ex- sprints in March.” USSA structures at UCT as a student in thrusts of the sports department. 4 5 “These days, my phone Queen of kings rings 20 times a day, with ith pieces serving as troops and captain of the SA University team. There boys asking me if they can players as generals, some sug- she competed at the Confederation of come to UCT so that they Wgest the game of chess origi- University and College Sports Association nated as a bloodless substitute for (or aid Games and triumphed, and was part of can play rugby for us”. to) warfare. And though today it’s consid- the UCT team that won the WP league – – John Dobson ered a sport, a similar psychology applies the top tier in the league – for the first time – stay one step ahead, and leave room to in 18 years. manoeuvre. The win means that the 60-strong team “The game makes you dig deep within will be invited to play in the African Club yourself; the way you play is testimony to Championships and the South African how you live your life,” says third-year actu- Club Championships in 2011. From sidelines arial science student Laura Irving, chair of the Irving notes that they started the season UCT Chess Club for the third year running. with a bang, moving into first place on the It’s seldom Irving finds her king under log from the start. Everyone – including Good move: Laura Irving, chairperson to try line threat. That’s hardly surprising – she made the club – thought they were just keeping of the UCT Chess Club, winners of the Western Province squad at the tender the top spot warm for the so-called big the Western Province League for the first time in 18 years. age of 11. guns in the league, but they managed to UCT rugby on the up In December last year she was part of the maintain their performances over the sea- South African women’s junior team that com- son, defeating nine of the 10 other teams. enjoy it thoroughly,” she says. peted at the African Junior Chess Champi- Irving says the club has steadily been In her spare time, Irving coaches the WP CT rugby is fast emerging from the onships in Egypt, where she drew to a grand increasing in popularity on campus, with under-10 team and tutors private students sidelines to the try line, transform- master and finished best in South Africa. the main membership coming from the (the youngest is just six). Uing itself not only into a force to be Earlier that month she also took home the so-called hard science degrees, such as Next year she’ll up the ante by trying reckoned with on the field but also a force title of South African University Girls Cham- maths and physics. out for the Chess Olympiad and the South for real change in impoverished communi- pion at the University Championships. “We have created a very nice social vibe African Chess Open. ties. This year she travelled to Botswana as at the chess club, and everyone seems to “I definitely qualify for tryouts.” First XV head coach John Dobson at- tributes the regeneration to a number of factors, including the advent of the Cup, a return to being a purely student- based team and “fantastic support” from Playing ball UCT itself. “Vice-chancellor has lent us hen he is not head-down in his bounds over the past few years. incredible support himself, and this has books, Richard Colburn blows up “There’s been a big improvement in the made a tremendous difference to our for- a mean storm on squash courts overall level of squash, and also the way in Airborne: Marchel Brache, one of UCTRFC’s finds of the season. W tunes on and off the field,” says Dobson. across Cape Town and further afield. which the club is run,” he maintains. “This He says too that rugby at UCT is now This fourth-year BCom (politics, philoso- can be attributed to all the hard work that more aligned with the values and ethos sented Western Province in the Currie Cup Established in 2002 as a UCT Internal phy and economics) student was selected has been put in by the committee and the of the university, which has been another – Tim Whitehead and Martin Muller, both League rugby team, with the aim of pro- for the South African team that participated UCT sports administration.” “major factor” in its recent success. of whom are now ex-UCT students. viding a platform for players of colour who in the World Student Championships in Mel- UCT recently qualified for the USSA Re- “Another important factor is that we The first team has been in the final of felt left out of the rugby system, in 2004 bourne, Australia, in July. gional Winners Tournament, which was held have done well on the field,” says Dobson. the Varsity Cup in each of the past two Ubumbo partnered the UCT Rugby Foot- Not only that, but he was chosen to cap- at UCT this year, and the team ended in a “These days, my phone rings 20 times a years, and only lost to Stellenbosch by ball Club in its mission to transform rugby tain the side, and was ranked the number- respectable third place. day, with boys asking me if they can come three points in the dying seconds of this at UCT as well as assist in outreach pro- one student squash player in the country. “The result, as well as the fact that we to UCT so that they can play rugby for year’s showpiece. grammes run by the club. Richard finished 8th in the individual event were the hosts of the event, is testament to Squash at UCT has benefitted from coaching by professional squash us”. Meanwhile, says Sheldon, the UCT un- Ubumbo was awarded the prestigious and helped the South African team to 5th the fact that UCT squash is alive and thriv- player Rodney Durbach, one of the He says the main aim now is to make the der-20 B team has won the Western Prov- Chairman’s Award at the 2006 UCT Sports position in the team competition. ing.” country’s top players. He reached a semifinals of the Varsity Cup again next ince Under-20 League for two years in a Awards Dinner. The award was accepted He has represented UCT’s 1st team for the Being at UCT has provided him with a career-high world ranking of World year. “Then anything can happen.” He row, and the fifth team (known as the MC by the two main administrators of the past four years, the past two as captain. base training area and has allowed him to No 23 in 2002. predicts that in 2012, UCT will have “one Marais team) won their league for the third programme, Malibuye Tom and Khaya Each year the club participates in the play top professionals in the WP league. “It of its best sides ever”. time in four seasons. The two sides were Sontsele, who also served on UCTRFC’s Western Province League, considered the has also enabled me to participate in the fessional Squash Association circuit in the Club manager Gavin Sheldon agrees voted joint “teams of the year” at UCT’s Executive Committee on Transformation. strongest in the country. World Student Games in Melbourne and future, after his studies, and to tour abroad rugby at UCT is in “very healthy shape”. recent rugby club players’ dinner. Since 2009, Ubumbo and UCTRFC have “Last year we won the Western Province Cairo. UCT provided the necessary funding and compete on the international scene for He says a number of players have On another front, the club’s Ubumbo been involved in a joint venture with the Club of the Year Award and this year we’ve to allow me to take advantage of various a few years. earned higher honours this year, includ- Outreach and Transformation initiative SA Rugby Legends in launching the Vuka been nominated again for the same acco- touring opportunities during my time as a “But for the next year-and-a-half, UCT will ing Marchel Brache – who he describes as is touching more and more lives in Cape Tournament, aimed at under-16 teams on lade.” student.” remain my base, and I’m hoping to remain a “the find of the season”, and who repre- Town’s impoverished communities. the and in townships. Squash at UCT has grown in leaps and Colburn says it is his dream to join the Pro- student for the foreseeable future.” 6 7 “We always win in Africa. But we lack high- level experience. Water polo in South Africa is self-funded, which makes travelling to any recognised match a problem.” – Matt Kemp

“There are many club sides that come to SA Eau de chlorine for training camps, but no national teams. We’re Daniella Pollock had a poolside chat with UCT alumnus trying to attract more and South African water polo goalie Matt Kemp about teams to play in SA in the the sport, family history at UCT, and giving back future.” – Matt Kemp

As we finish the interview he says goodbye Kemp sticks with sporting part of the WP team that won the 2007 and breaks into a sprint. His next appoint- records. Water Polo Currie Cup. ment is in a few minutes; this time, with six “My interest in water polo “We hadn’t won it since the 1980s. And Bottom trawling: On Workers’ Day 40 participants spent the morning cleaning up garbage from fellow chlorine-cologne’d South African Col- started when I was in Grade 5 then there’s my first SA cap. I’d been in- the sea floor at the Yacht Club in Simon’s Town, in an initiative called CleanDIVER. lege School (SACS) old boys, a ball, seven at Kloof Senior Primary School volved with the squad since 2007, but was opponents, and a whole lot of water. This is in Durban,” he says. “We never chosen. This year saw a change of the life of Springbok water polo goalkeeper had a fantastic coach, Patrick coach, and I was chosen.” Matt Kemp. And it’s no wonder he’s running Liddle, who got me hooked They won the African qualifiers for the fit too; with a schedule like his, there’s no on water polo. When I went 2010 Federation Internationale de Na- place for a leisurely crawl. to Maritzburg College (in Pi- tation (FINA) Men’s Water Polo World Ocean trawlers It’s hard to summarise Kemp’s activities etermaritzburg, in the heart League, and travelled to Nis, Serbia, in in one breath. Besides being part of the SA of KwaZulu-Natal) I started July to play in Group B of the Super Fi- squad and playing for SACS old boys, he’s taking water polo seriously.” nals, where they were defeated. Underwater Club helps clean completing his Master’s in Law at UCT, plays It was there too that he But as a goalie, Kemp says, a loss is not water polo for Western Province, is the head of started reffing rugby, at the a loss. up our seas water polo at SACS Junior and High Schools age of 13. “It’s called a save because when your and coaches their first team. He is is also a “Maritzburg College, be- team has done something wrong, you CT’s Underwater Club is play- make this and other DIVER events an- rugby referee on the South African Rugby ing a rugby-oriented school, save them from losing a potential goal.” ing its part in saving our seas, nual features on their calendar. Union’s (SARU) list of provincial referees. strongly encouraged the Despite the pool of talent in South Af- Uparticipating in a number of ini- On Workers’ Day (1 May) around 40 Mere hours before we met he’d flown back younger rugby teams to rica and the ideal conditions, we are ham- tiatives to protect this fragile environ- participants spent the morning clean- from Durban, where he was assistant referee stay for the late-afternoon pered by country-specific challenges, he ment. ing up garbage from the sea floor at the at the previous night’s Currie Cup game be- first-team game. My match adds. Club chairperson Dean Harrison, a False Bay Yacht Club in Simon’s Town, tween the Sharks and the Leopards. would usually end at about “We always win in Africa,” says Kemp. business science graduate who is now in an initiative called CleanDIVER. Their But front-running has always been a Kemp 09h00, and I would have to “But we lack high-level experience. Water doing a BSc in biology, earth and en- aim was to churn up some awareness family staple. His father, Dirk Kemp, was a UCT sit around until 15h30 for the last game. So polo in South Africa is self-funded, which vironmental sciences, says the club about marine pollution – and to re- Students’ Representative Council president I found something to do with my time, and natural first choice.” Kemp (together with makes travelling to any recognised match membership is hovering at around 200 move some of it. during the 1970s, and sat in this capacity on that’s how I started reffing.” brother Nick) coached the SACS first team a problem. There are many club sides that members, and he’s optimistic about its The club also promoted and raised the management committee of the National And the rest, as they say, is history. Kemp to a King Edward VII School (KES) tourna- come to SA for training camps, but no na- future. funds for its principal beneficiary, the Union of South African Students (NUSAS – a landed a scholarship to UCT, where he ment win in 2007, the first time that a WP tional teams. We’re trying to attract more Earlier this year the club took part in Save our Seas Shark Centre, which is student-led liberation movement of the lat- played for the first team, got involved with side has won. “We had high-calibre players teams to play in SA in the future.” an initiative in which student divers from based in . ter part of the century that often came into running it and became its chairperson, and that year,” he says. And his future? Kemp will graduate this South African universities descended Harrison says diving is one of the conflict with the apartheid regime because coached the first women’s and men’s teams. “We’ve since gone through a bit of a bad year, and will probably do his articles in upon Cape Town for some of the best abiding passions of his life. of their stance against racism) – for which he His two brothers (they’re triplets), Rupert patch.” To combat this, he’s introduced a Cape Town. diving conditions of the season. “Most of the world is ocean. You was arrested. During his school years, Kemp and Nick, also studied at UCT. “Nick played new programme at SACS that stretches “My hope is obviously to move up the Named varsityDIVER, part of the UCT haven’t really experienced the world Snr also played SA schools hockey. water polo for UCT as well, but Rupert from the under-6s to the under-19s, and SARU referee ranks, and to continue play- Underwater Club’s DIVER outreach unless you have experienced the “The bar was set high,” says Kemp. “But couldn’t, thanks to a rugby injury.” is designed to encourage consistency in ing water polo for SA.” brand, the event brought university dive ocean. It doesn’t matter how you might we often also joke about my dad being the In 2004, Kemp started coaching at SACS. coaching. “We’re seeing some good play- And as a coach? clubs together and showed off the best be feeling when you start a dive – when one in the family with the criminal record,” “I wanted to get involved with coaching, ers coming through the system.” “This is my time to give back,” he that the Cape waters have to offer. you finish it, you are in a state of total he laughs. and my dad is a SACS old boy, so it was the Other personal highlights include being smiles. The UCT Underwater Club aims to euphoria,” he says. 8 9 “Not only had I survived and completed the 332km distance of this inaugural race of the Tor des Géants, literally the high points of the Giants of the Alps, but in touching the sky, I had fought off gravity and gained a remarkable accumulative 24 000m (yes, 24km) in vertical altitude.” – Dr AO Okreglicki Mountain high

UCT alumnus (MBChB, 1983; MMed, 1996) and cardiologist Dr AO Okreglicki reports on his experi- Joe ‘The Caveman’ Mohle. ence of the first Tor des Géants race in the Italian Alps

While I was surfing the internet earlier this year, a new long-distance race in one of my favourite parts of the world caught my Cliff hangers eye. This unique race, the 332km Tor des Géants, the longest multi-participant ultra- Whether it’s on a ‘wish you were here’ postcard or on a tourist site on the internet, there’s one giant marathon in the world, in the high Italian immovable that doubles up as Cape Town’s logo – . Alps, would cover the entire routes of the Alta Via Hiking Trails 1 and 2 of the Aosta Not only does it act as a reliable GPS for “The SAEP offers supplementary teach- a benchmark South African climb that saw Valley, with 31-day hike stages, but with a Cape Town newbies, but climbing it is also ing assistance to students from under-re- its first free ascent by UCT alumnus and cut-off of 150 hours (six days, six hours). an unspoken rite of passage for becom- sourced areas, as well as providing envi- climbing legend Andy de Klerk in 1994. What attracted my attention was that ing a Capetonian. It’s no wonder the UCT ronmental ,” adds Levitas. His club peers have aptly nicknamed the race wouldn’t follow the formulaic dai- Mountain & Ski Club (MSC) has over 600 “In 2009, the programme provided for him Joe the Caveman; his first love is na- ly stages of races such as the TransAlpine members. one Grade 10 group of 15 learners. How- ture, and he’ll happily spend the night Ultra and the TransRockies Ultra. Also, this But for most of the bouldering and ever, the group took to hiking and climb- sleeping on a ledge, or in a crevice, in was an event for individuals, not teams. rock-climbing bunch at MSC, mounting ing with such enthusiasm and dedication the name of a two-day climb. Though all After months of planning, but with The Table is small fry. They’ll climb just that we felt it would be a tremendous loss things considered, a cave’s first prize, he not as much formal trail training as I had about anything in the Cape, Africa and not to provide them with the means to says wryly. hoped for because of work pressures, I abroad. continue. And so, in the beginning of 2010 Highlights and all-time bests are a dif- registered with 352 other entrants in Cour- “I’ve climbed most of Africa’s highest we introduced a Grade 11 group, in addi- ficult one, he says. mayeur, at the head of the Aosta Valley, on mountains,” says 2010 MSC chair and post- tion to the new Grade 10s.” “Every climb is a best. Being outdoors 11 September. My previous experience in graduate LLB student Mikhaela Levitas. From next year, the club will also launch takes me to the edge of the world, no mat- the Alps – the Tour du Mont Blanc (158km), Don’t look down: Some of the spectacular scenery Dr AO Okreglicki enjoyed dur- “The club had a very successful year an exchange programme to attract stu- ter where I am. You get to see places no the TransAlpine Ultra (250km) and the re- ing the inaugural 332km Tor des Géants, the longest multi-participant ultramara- too,” she adds. “Our climbing team took dents from European countries to UCT. one’s seen before. Climbing is a language thon in the world, in the high Italian Alps. cent non-stop UltraBalaton (212km) in the second and third prize in bouldering “We are hoping to have our first exchange that speaks across borders, continents and Hungary – made me reasonably confident and the first prize in sport climbing, and next year in June/July and receive them in cultures.” that I could finish the distance. on average 10km apart, the offerings were challenge – and probable madness – and our June/July vacation meets took 40 peo- December/January 2011/2012. We will go One climb stands out though. He re- The weather was a great unknown, and water, cola, wine and beer, cheese, bread made this the toughest and most danger- ple into the mountains and went to hike in up to Basel, Switzerland, and learn about cently climbed Seweweeks Poort (halfway snow and rain had made things challeng- and biscuits. There were six ‘life bases’ ous endurance event that I have done. But and Namibia.” ski touring and Alpinism, and they will between Ladismith and Laingsburg at the ing during my previous races. However, with hot pasta meals and the chance of a the incredible views in the daytime almost There’s an adage in mountaineering come here to climb and hike our world- foot of the Klein Swartberg Mountains). the weather turned out to be perfect. At quick snooze. made up for the nocturnal life-risks! circles that goes: ‘Climbing is hard, but renowned climbing and hiking spots.” “I’m developing a new, big wall of about 10h00 on Sunday 12 September we were Day two was really tough, with the path The winner, a ski-instructor from Aosta, not as hard as growing up.’ No one knows The impetus behind the exchange pro- 200 meters here,” he says. “I’ve decided off. Immediately the gradient rose sharply, seeming to rise vertically. Before reaching completed the race on Wednesday eve- this better than someone growing up in an gramme is MSC top climber Joe Mohle. to call the route Busy Sparrow after the and the route began to follow the spec- the 3 300m col, I was struggling with the ning. I came in comfortably on Saturday. informal settlement. Mohle, a second-year Bachelor of Social legendary Cape climber Dave Davies, who tacular paths at the foot of Mont Blanc and very thin air. And with the clock ticking and Not only had I survived and completed In doing their bit, the MSC began a Sciences student, is arguably one of the passed away recently.” the highest Four-Thousanders in the Alps, a series of cut-off times, there was con- the 332km distance, but in touching the community outreach project in collabora- most experienced climbers in the club. One day he’d like to go pro. paralleling glaciers and reducing towns stant pressure to keep going. sky, I had fought off gravity and gained tion with the South African Education and After matric, he spent six years hitch- “My dream is to hike from Cape Town way below to specks. Hurtling down mountains three times a remarkable accumulative 24 000m (yes, Environment Project (SAEP) in 2006, to ex- hiking between climbing venues in Eu- to the Alps. Not only do I get to travel the By day three or four, we had thinned higher than Table Mountain, on loose gravel 24km) in vertical altitude. This achieve- pose learners from underprivileged areas rope and the US, has climbed the Alps world, but I get to meet the locals too. out so much that at times I wouldn’t see paths in the middle of the night in pitch dark- ment will remain a defining bookmark in such as Phillipi and to the re- thrice, including many peaks in the Mont They fill my plate and they feed me beer.” a fellow runner for hours. At checkpoints, ness, while sleep-deprived, was the greatest the saga of my life. warding world of hiking and climbing. Blanc region, and scaled Oceans of Fear, Bliss. 10 11 New blood for cricket Flip turn for swimming his season’s cricket at UCT will intro- UCT Aquatics is making waves in pools across the Western Cape, duce a host of new faces: up-and- as more and more of its swimmers earn their stripes at the top end Tcoming younger players add spice to the side, and two new coaches bring of this competitive sport. years of national-level cricketing experi- ence to the pitch. Chairperson of the club Sarah Haiden says competed before) to gain some racing ex- Replacing the legendary Hilton Ack- a number of its swimmers have recently perience. erman, who coached the side from 2008 registered with Western Province Aquatics, “We dived head first into the challenge until his death last year, are Allan Dawson Fresh start: Allan Dawson (left) and John Commins are the new UCT cricket coaches. which in turn is registered with Swimming and performed very well to achieve third and John Commins, both cricket stars in South Africa, and this is a key develop- place overall, beating UWC Aquatics and their own right. runs from October 2010 to March 2011. students with ambitions other than cricket, ment. the Maties second-tier team. This bodes UCT Aquatics chairperson Sarah Haiden. Commins played test cricket for South “Four of our top players graduated last so many of them see it as little more than Haiden (a final-year BSc undergraduate, well for when UCT Aquatics takes to the Africa in 1994/5 and was a regular pres- year,” says Olivier. “This is a loss, but it’s weekend recreation.” majoring in ecology and environmental blocks at the annual USSA tournament to ence in the Western Province side in the also an opportunity for the younger play- But Olivier is confident the new bloods and geographical science) joined the club be held in East London at the end of the 1990s. Dawson was a seam bowler for ers to prove themselves.” are more than capable of stepping up to in 2008, and was elected to the commit- year,” she says. Winning strokes for South Africa with two tests and 19 one-day Olivier explains that managing a univer- the crease. tee as secretary (Hugh Jacobs is chair) for “Not only are our swimmers waving the internationals under his belt. (Many felt he sity cricket team presents unique challeng- “They’re already looking good in the 2009. UCT flag at the pool, but at a number of water polo women deserved more caps.) es. Players graduate, leave for the holidays practice sessions, and both coaches are in She took on the position of chairperson open-water events too. We had a number UCT cricket administrator Kobus Olivier and are unavailable during exam times. their early 40s, so they fit in well with UCT’s for 2010 and will retain this role in 2011. of our members swim at the Brian Curtis he UCT water polo lasses currently top has high hopes for the new season, which “You must also remember that they are younger side.” Haiden participated at the annual USSA Mile and 3km event, the Llandudno Mile, the university women’s water polo log aquatics tournaments in Pretoria and East the Big Bay Round the Rocks 2km swim Tin South Africa. This comes after they London in 2008 and 2009 respectively, and and the Cadiz Heritage Day and Youth Day clinched the University Sport South Africa wa- A team of six women represented third dan in 2011, and she says it would has an impressive swimming pedigree. swims, as well as the Cadiz Freedom Swim ter polo championships 2010, their fourth con- Striking point South Africa in France, and although also be great if she could represent South The fact that UCT swimmers have joined ( to Big Bay). secutive win, and took the cup in this year’s none won any medals, the scores in the Africa at an international tournament WP Aquatics allows them to compete (un- “Participation at the latter is fast becom- summer and winter leagues. o offence, but you don’t want to two rounds in which Mowzer participat- again. der the banner of UCT Aquatics) at WP ing a UCT Aquatics tradition. This year, It helps that two of their top players are meet second-year UCT mechani- ed were close. league galas and club-hosted galas, and if ten of our members took part. Laura Bar- members of the South African squad. Kim Kay, Ncal engineering student Fatima “It was the first time that I had par- they qualify they will be able to take part rett and Rouen Smit did the solo swim – a third-year human resource management stu- Mowzer in a dark alley… ticipated in an international tournament, in competitions such as the WP Champion- the completion of which is a tremendous dent, and Laura Barrett, who’s completing a This feisty student has a second-dan black- and it was a real honour for me to be ships and SA Nationals. achievement in itself. We also entered two master’s degree in disaster risk management, belt and has been practising the age-old art chosen to represent my country. It was League galas (both short-course and four-man relay teams, one of which (the travelled to the 2010 World League Champi- of karate since the tender age of seven, and eye-opening to see the high standard of long-course) are open to all club swimmers UCT Kelpraiders – of which I’m proud to onships held in Greece and France in June. has competed in the Western Province team karate at international level, and it serves (affiliated to WP Aquatics) and can act as say I was a member!) won third place in its Barrett also captained this South African at a national level since 1998. as encouragement for me to get to that qualifying events for competitions such as category, and R3 000 to boot!” team. SA didn’t win any of their seven matches You might get off a little lighter should level one day,” she says. provincial champs or nationals. Haiden attributes much of the success to but did well to restrict their opponents, and you encounter another UCT karate kid, She loves karate “because it ties “Three winter and four summer league coach Hilton Slack, who came on board at managed 29 goals of their own, Barrett said. Itumeleng Mangwedi, in similar circum- together many aspects of life. It focuses galas are held every year; entry to these ga- the start of 2007. This was Kay’s first selection to the national stances. But only a little: this third-year on the physical aspect, but it also devel- las is voluntary for our swimmers but is en- “Prior to Hilton’s arrival, the squad was team, while Barrett made the team that toured business science economics student has ops the mental and spiritual aspects”. couraged, since it is believed regular com- essentially a bunch of students coaching to the 2009 FINA World Championships held a brown belt, and took part in the World Mowzer’s next step is to achieve her petition provides the necessary motivation themselves on an irregular basis. Now the in Rome. University Karate Championships in Mon- to maintain fitness and the opportunity to team can proudly boast quality coaching Back on home turf though, UCT women’s tenegro in June. challenge oneself to improve one’s perfor- with regular training hours (even through water polo is on the up and up, Kay adds. Mangwedi says the championships were mance,” says Haiden. the holidays). “We hope to win the South African universi- “a great experience”, and her driving am- “Swimming is, admittedly, a sport pre- “Hilton was also instrumental in vastly ties’ title again in November.” bition now is to earn her black belt, and a dominantly for the individual; league galas improving the UCT pool by helping to place in the national team. are not point-scoring events for the team, source and install lane ropes, flags and div- South African water polo representatives Laura Mowzer, meanwhile, represented UCT but rather an opportunity for personal chal- ing blocks at discounted rates. A quality Barrett (left) and Kim Kay. at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) lenge and improvement,” she adds. facility goes a long way towards improving tournament in Port Elizabeth, where she On the other hand, there are times when swimmers’ performances,” she adds. received two bronze medals. UCT Aquatics is able to compete as a team Slack, meanwhile, says having a strict In June this year, she took part in the against other clubs and varsity sides. In Au- training programme, which any student can International Open Female Karate Tour- gust, UCT was selected as one of four clubs fit into, has been key to the club’s success. nament in France, along with participants invited to swim at the Maties Winter Series “The club has really turned the corner, from 27 other countries. gala, which provided an opportunity for and I have no doubt that we have a very UCT swimmers (some of whom had never bright future.” 12 Karate kids: Itumeleng Mangwedi and Fatima Mowzer. 13 Men’s hockey in Second wave for women surfers grand win t was a nervy and sometimes sloppy af- fair, but in the end the UCT men’s 2-1 win Iover Central on 3 September was more than enough to help them clinch the West- ern Province Hockey Union Grand Chal- Liquid asset: Rising canoeist Jacqueline Barnes. lenge trophy – the team’s first champion- ship victory since 2004. Going into the match, the title was UCT’s Canoe champ’s to lose – even with archrivals Stellenbosch Grand winners: The men’s hockey side celebrate their championship win. Wave crest: (Right) UCT’s Jessica Bezuidenhout, Carla Mackenzie, Sarah Nicholson, Kerri Hodgkinson and Jerri Anderson celebrate their win at the USSA colours confusion University breathing down their neck, a win, surfing championships. a draw, or even a defeat (if by no more than game and scored late into the half. That fire in their bellies. “We just said that things apidly-advancing canoeist Jac- one goal) would have been enough to set- took the wind out of Central’s sails, and have got to change,” said Sieben. With a queline Barnes completed her tle matters in their favour. They got off to a UCT was hardly stretched as they held on more settled side – they hardly lost a player CT’s women surfers continued nightmare for spectators, but provided Rfirst Fish River run at 16, and has bright enough start, dominating the early for the final whistle. over the off-season – things finally panned their successful run this year in good waves for the surfers, reports Nic been hooked on the sport ever since. stretch of the game and deservedly taking “I’m really proud of these boys,” said a out. Udefending their title at the 2010 Pringle of the UCT Surfing Club. Now one of the stars of the UCT Ca- the lead about midway into the first half. visibly chuffed coach, Craig Sieben, after But Sieben knows that UCT will be the University Sports South Africa (USSA) “They were probably the best waves noe Club, Barnes’ record has seen her But then they took their foot off the the match. “This was really one of the best- side with the target on its back next year. surfing championships at Victoria Bay re- we’ve ever seen at the competition,” says reach provincial level. Or has it? gas, allowing Central back into the game. contested Grand Challenges for a long “Winning the title for one year means noth- cently. Pringle. “I am not entirely sure about this year Central would continue to press in the sec- time.” ing; we have to perform again next year.” That was largely thanks to Sarah Nich- But as UCT’s surfers are making their because I gave the Knysna Half Mara- ond half, and their equaliser came as no While UCT had been competitive in re- With only two players likely to leave the olson taking the top spot and Kerri Hodg- mark, the club is making strides in intro- thon a go, which clashed with the SA surprise as holes began to open up in the cent years, they weren’t quite good enough squad over the coming months, Sieben is kinson placing third, with rivals from Stel- ducing new blood to the sport. The UCT Marathons,” says Barnes. “But my Fish UCT defence. But the goal was just the jolt to match Stellenbosch or some of the other confident that in 2011, UCT can fend off any lenbosch University and Nelson Mandela Surfing Club also offers three days per River Canoe Marathon partner says that UCT needed, and the team picked up their teams. But a close finish in 2009 put some challenge. Metropolitan University (NMMU) finishing year of free lessons to surf club mem- we made the provincial side. But since in second and fourth place respectively. bers. 2007 I have been in some sort of West- But defending champions NMMU Even non-members are catered for. ern Province team, whether it be for held onto their title in the men’s event, Foreign students are especially quick to river or flat-water marathons.” although top-eight finishes by Jochaid take advantage of very cheap surfing les- Barnes explains that provincial colours Ultimate off to a flying start Salie and Philip Visagie were enough to sons – including wetsuit and board rental are a debatable issue in Western Prov- earn UCT the second place. – which the club has organised with the ince canoeing, as they don’t often have id you know that Ultimate is one of membership climbing steadily to 78 Cold winds and rain made the event a Lifestyle Surf Shop in Muizenburg. trials. the few competitive sports in which players. “They just check who will be compet- Dmen and women compete in the “UCT Ultimate had a very successful ing in events and get the canoeists at same team? Its quirkiest feature, though, year,” says founding member and MSc zo- the top of their game to represent the is that there are no referees or umpires, ology student Matthew Lewis. province.” even at the game’s highest levels such as its “The two teams that represented the Hand up from mountaineers So Barnes isn’t always certain about World Championships. club at the South African Flying Disc Asso- the meaning of her victories at this level. Ultimate is so called because one of its ciation (SAFDA) Nationals were placed sev- he UCT Mountain & Ski Club is pristine mountain fynbos and the popular “I won the ladies’ division of the Orange founders claimed that it’s the ‘ultimate game enth and tenth out of 12 teams. The UCT all about outreach – which should peak, the club helps conserve River Marathon – placing third overall – experience’. We’re talking Ultimate Frisbee, Ultimate team that took part in ‘Rocktober’ Tcome as no surprise, given the fact the area with regular ‘pine hacks’, removing but I’m not sure if I was representing the now known only as Ultimate, as ‘Frisbee’ is a (an Ultimate tournament held in Johannes- that they have two UCT Sports Awards for alien pine trees that encroach on the indig- province or not!” trademark of the Wham-O toy company. burg in October) was placed second out of outreach under their (safety) belts. enous flora and reduce the water table. Barnes began her charge to the top The sport also calls for agility and su- nine teams. We also took part in the Cape As active and outdoorsy as you would ex- “We get to use chainsaws, so this is a with a mixed-doubles win at the 2006 preme fitness; it’s a fast-paced, little-con- Town Flying Disc Association’s (CTFDA) pect, club members have a hand in rescue, popular event,” says club member Angus Fish River Marathon, and made the tact sport played by two opposing teams of Summer and Winter leagues, and hosted conservation and training – as well as hik- Morrison. national junior marathon team in 2008. seven players a side, using a 175-gram fly- an indoor tournament, which was hugely ing, climbing, caving, kloofing and skiing, The Cape Leopard Trust also benefits Now a third-year business science stu- ing disc. It’s played on a 100m x 37m field, successful.” of course. from their enthusiasm for conservation. dent, her aspirations to tackle the Fish with an 18m-deep end-zone at each end of This year the club focused on finding For example, a recent outreach event The club maintains observation cameras River again, among other marathons, the field. The idea is to score by complet- their feet. saw club members take a group of Grade for the trust and have also bought one of are challenged by her academic com- ing a pass to a team-mate standing in the Lewis adds. “Next year’s committee in- 10 and 11 learners from the Cape’s town- their own. Members also do volunteer res- mitments. end-zone. You may not run with the disc, so cludes an outreach co-ordinator, and we ships up Lion’s Head – one of many similar cue work for the Mountain Club of South “To be honest, I think it might be eas- game-play revolves around making space have already started communicating with outings. Africa, working in their areas of expertise, ier to train with a day job,” says Barnes. on the field and moving ‘off the disc’. SHAWCO in the hopes of running an out- On the conservation side, the club takes from technical to medical. “At varsity, your day doesn’t really have Relatively new to South Africa, UCT Ul- reach programme through their well-estab- regular trips to the UCT-owned Zuurberg “I’m just a dogsbody,” says Morrison, hours. If something is due, sleep and timate was launched only this year, with lished channels.” estate, located between Worcester and “so I’m usually on call-outs, which means I training are forfeit. The real world is nine Ceres. Home to about 8 000 hectares of have to be ready 24 hours a day.” to five – hopefully!” 14 Flying start for UCT Ultimate club. 15 Paddles up! Sharp performances

inning a third-division knock- out tournament may hardly from UCT fencers Wseem newsworthy, but for UCT’s Table Tennis Club the triumph is but the encing is big at UCT. As one of the first stepping stone in a whole new game oldest clubs at the university, it’s also plan that could well see them leapfrog Fone of the strongest, boasting three into the top tier. top-ranked national team members, as well The club was a no-show in Western Prov- as Yasmin Henkle, the number-one women’s ince Table Tennis events last year, reports Table manners: Members of the UCT Table Tennis Club include (from left) Jordan foil fencer in South Africa. chairperson Sulayman Salie. For 2010, the Silverman, Ookeditse Rantwa, Adnaan Parker, Sulayman Salie, Udhir Ramnath and Henkle would have been the fourth, but Nu-Azzan Kippie. club’s new committee not only made sure as a German citizen, she can’t compete in that they had teams taking part, but also the national side. paid more mind to training and prepara- and Dane Stewart – was obliged by WP Now there’s a good chance, says Sa- Local heroes are Jacques Viljoen, the tion. Thanks to some new recruits, they to step into the third division, the fourth lie, that the team could be promoted to men’s foil champion, ranked first in South were also able to bolster the first team tier of the seven leagues in the province. the premier league in 2011 because of its Africa and 80th in the world. Viljoen is a two- Helene Simpson, head of the Sports Injuries Clinic. with provincial and national under-17 and Unfortunately, the team missed games be- overall performances. time national champion, and winner of the under-19 caps. cause of exam commitments so wasn’t ex- Good news is that the first team will be 2009 UCT Sportsperson of the Year Award. Because they’d skipped a season, the actly a juggernaut in the league, but they able to build on this year’s track record, Gisselle Vicatos is ranked second in wom- Rescue remedy first team – made up of Salie, Wafeeq Do- had it much their own way in the knock-out as the composition of the team will stay an’s épée and first in woman’s foil nationally; Top drawer: Jacques Viljoen, Yasmin mingo, Nu-Azzan Kippie, Adnaan Parker event. much the same. and Michael Malahe was ranked number- Henkle and Gisselle Vicatos are ith falls and injuries an unfortunate one men’s epee before an injury earlier this top of the South African fencing part of sporting life, it’s good to season. rankings Wknow that UCT’s athletes can land in “The club has a long tradition of high-lev- the safe arms of the Sports Injuries Clinic (SIC), el fencers coming to UCT because the top But despite these high-level achieve- who have a treatment for everyone from pro- Second wind at Lipton Cup clubs are situated close to the university,” ments, Viljoen says they function mainly as fessional sports stars to ‘weekend warriors’. explains Viljoen. a social club, catering for beginners and Established in 1997, UCT’s SIC is focused he UCT Yacht Club earned its best With just a handful of points separating A recent club highlight was the University intermediate-level fencers. The club is also not just on the treatment, but also on the finish yet in the 102-year-old Lipton the top five boats, there was plenty to race Sport South Africa championships in De- involved with teaching fencing to learners at prevention of sports injuries. So as well as the TChallenge Cup, kind winds and smart for on the final day. “Sailboat racing is all cember 2009, where UCT won all but one of Christal House, a school in Ottery. expected treatment of neck and tissue inju- helming winning the team an ovation-wor- about consistency and making fewer mis- the gold medals on offer. As well as compet- So as well as winning competitions, the ries and post-surgery recovery care from four thy fourth spot at this year’s event, hosted takes than the next competitor, by achieving ing around the country, the club also hosts club is also focused on fundraising, for trans- physiotherapists, the clinic also boasts a bioki- by the Royal Cape Yacht Club at the end of a great start and choosing the correct wind an annual Western Province competition, porting learners to UCT. neticist who provides fitness and training pro- August. shifts throughout the race,” says Clayton. which Viljoen says is usually the best-attend- “Hopefully the learners will be training grammes. The competition allows UCT students to Great helming by Dyer and precise fore- ed competition of the year. with our beginners in 2011,” says Viljoen. A new addition to the SIC’s services is Pilates match boats and wits against the country’s deck work and trimming by the rest of the classes on Wednesday mornings and Tuesday best sailors. UCT crews have put in some team shot them into third place in the race. evenings (at R75 per class), filling the gaps be- polished performances over recent years, That was enough to secure fourth position tween the more traditional back rehabilitation including, in 2007, UCT’s up-to-then best overall – a feather in their caps. classes on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday result – sixth. But Maverick wasn’t the only boat crewed nights (at R60 per class). After a good race at the previous week- by UCT students. William Crockett was on Blind soccer takes to the pitch As well as being able to submit directly to end’s L26 Western Province Championships, board the third-placed Orion Challenger medical aid scheme, students who have no there were high hopes that the 2010 team of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, and Danielle ith a morning of blind soccer (SHAWCO) and Graça Machel Hall fielded such cover and have been injured playing - skipper Oliver Hobson, helmsman Ross Jarvis was part of the all-women’s team that (aka futsal) in May this year, teams on the day. sport for UCT are offered an Accident Insur- Dyer, crew Stewart Cardis, Bridget Clayton, sailed under the colours of the Imperial Yacht WUCT Disability Services made “The aim was to create awareness of ance Claim, including three treatments for Connor Leech, Neil Malan and team manag- Club on the boat Bandito, finishing 11th. a bid to champion disability sport once disability issues generally, but also to fo- R100 – or free for students on sports bursaries er Geoff Kilpin – would vie for a place in the And the more fun-orientated Team Well more, highlighting the role that it plays cus on bringing disability sports into the or financial aid. top five at Lipton this year. And right from Hung, representing the Hermanus Yacht in the lives of people with disabilities at mainstream of the sporting environment, “We are also keen to get involved with teams day one the UCT boat, named UCT Maver- Club and featuring another all-UCT crew – in UCT. especially at an institution like UCT that’s for pre‑season screening,” says SIC head He- ick, was among the leaders, finishing fourth skipper Gabriel Fernandes, crew Julius Bier- For this occasion, Disability Services so involved in sports,” said Nafisa Mayat, lene Simpson of the clinic’s future plans. “We in the opening race. The crew would hold on mann, Nicholas Bush, Colin Greyvensteyn, teamed up with Sport and Recreation, the disability advocacy co-ordinator at Disabil- have already contacted UCT’s sports clubs to fourth place with reasonably consistent Elizabeth Whipple and manager Rudi Au- Students’ Representative Council and the ity Services. with our plan, which will prevent many of those racing afterwards, finishing ninth, sixth, third, camp – cruised into 24th spot out of the 25 League of Friends of the Blind (LoFoB), a “And we wanted to create an awareness costly injuries and improve performances.” twelfth and third again in races two to six. entrants. Cape Town-based community organisa- that people with disabilities are involved tion. In addition, the likes of the Students’ in sport, and that they’re out there playing Need more information? Visit www.sic.org. Health and Welfare Centres Organisation these sports.” za or phone Helene Simpson on 650 3560. 16 Breezy stuff: The UCT Maverick makes its way to the front of the pack at the 2010 Lipton Challenge Cup. 17 The mission of the University of Cape Town

UCT aspires to become a premier academic meeting point between South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of expanding global networks and our distinct vantage point in Africa, we are committed, through innovative research and scholarship, to grapple with the key issues of our natural and social worlds. We aim to produce graduates whose qualifications are internationally recognised and locally applicable, underpinned by values of engaged citizenship and social justice. UCT will promote diversity and transformation within our institution and beyond, including growing the next generation of academics.

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