As matrics across the country say their goodbyes to each other this week, there’ll be many stories to tell and memories shared.
As matrics across the country say their goodbyes to each other this week, there’ll be many stories to tell and memories shared.
One particular story comes from four Kingswood College pupils who have not only been at school together since Grade 3, they’ve battled it out on various sporting fields since the U9 age group.
Daine Kruger, Vaughan Meyer, Hannah Knott-Craig and Aimee-Leigh Pote have spent hours on the sports field together and supported each other throughout the years.
Hannah and Aimee have played in the same teams since U9, both making the A side of each hockey age group and joining the 1st team together. The two were also part of netball and water polo sides in junior school.
Vaughan recalled that he and Daine were tennis doubles partners during one Sun City tour, after Daine and his former partner were not winning any of their matches. “We then started winning matches,” said Vaughan.
It seems like tennis and squash were a big hit among the four, with Daine and Aimee and Vaughan and Hannah as mixed doubles partners in various tournaments.
Between them, the four have had a great deal of sporting success.
Hannah and Aimee have played squash together for EP since U11 and EP hockey in their U16 and U18 years. Both Daine and Vaughan played EP squash together since U11. Hannah made the SA Schools squash side this year, playing in Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Daine played EP cricket for U17 and U18. He also represented SA Schools Squash U16 where the side toured the United States of America.
Hannah and Aimee both agreed that they have all pushed and motivated each other – and there have been a lot of laughs along the way.
Vaughan recalled the time when they were on a school sports tour to Bloemfontein, during their junior school years. One evening the group were at the local Spur.
The waitress asked the group – in Afrikaans – for their orders. Vaughan laughs as he says “Daine, could not speak Afrikaans and said ‘sorry we from tourism’”. The same evening Daine recalls Aimee-Leigh rolling on the floor with stomach cramps from eating too much ice cream.
The room became silent when the four were asked if any romances had flared among them.
So now it’s time to leave Kingswood and go on to new academic challenges. Hannah and Vaughan have registered to study at NMMU, Aimee will study at Stellenbosch and Daine is still weighing up his options.
As for their sporting futures, Hannah plans to concentrate on her squash at university and has set her hopes high, dreaming that one day she might play for South Africa.
Aimee, who has played EP hockey this year, will continue playing hockey at Stellenbosh, while Vaughan will concentrate on squash. Daine will concentrate on his cricket with hopes to play at provincial level.
It was fitting then, that Aimee and Daine were recently named Kingswood Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.
sport@grocotts.co.za
