A Presentation Given to the Boys at the Sports Awards Dinner
by Michael Foxcroft (Grade 12)
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| Michael "Foxy" Foxcroft |
Before I get on to the events of the term, I want to take a look back to my early days as a White House man. When our year of current Matrics joined White house - almost 5 years ago now - White House sport was nothing to write home about. I am not sure if we came last in sports day that year but one thing is for sure we did not feature at all. The distant dream of a triple crown, winning Relay Sports, Heats Week and Sportsday, let alone three in a row was ludicrous to imagine. I myself would have laughed at the idea. However, as I stand here before you tonight as you know, we have achieved , as has become tradition, excellence in Athletics and I think a round of applause is in order as the historical significance of winning relay sports, heats week and sports day three years in a row is awesome.
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| Kris Otto putting his word in |
For that I think we have a lot of people to thank. It started 3 years ago when the current head of house George Hutchins said to us in the TV room “Okes we are going to win sports day” I honestly thought he was being ridiculous. That was my doubt which has been proven wrong and it is what we as White House men seem to pride ourselves on doing, to prove the cynics wrong. There are plenty of teachers in this school especially some Housemasters who have laughed off White House as a joke, not to be taken seriously and not made of the right stuff to be true champions. Well how stupid do they look now? We have become true champions not only with our performances, outstanding as they have been, also with our humility in victory. We have remained humble and no one can tell us we are arrogant or it is a fluke because we have come back and proved them wrong time and time again and we have done it with pride in ourselves and love for our House and those in it.
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| Sister Bryant showing her favoritism to White House |
This has not only been illustrated in the success of our athletes but also in something that has come with us from the trophy-less days of the past… the incredible support and cheering of the okes on the sidelines or in the stands. I can tell you when you are broken and feel like you have nothing left to give and you hear your name shouted by White House lads louder and clearer than anything else, you find something inside of you that I know all of us have in this dining room… a commitment to give everything for this house, in pursuit of victory and success. As Vince Lombardi said “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”
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| Just a few of our trophies |
The term has not only been filled with athletics however. The valiant efforts of our inter-house cricket teams who managed to win one game each must be noted. Our support at the inter-house swimming was fantastic and sent a message to the rest of the school we have more pride than all of you put together. The tug of war was as we know a disappointment but I would like to highlight again our support for the teams. A lot of you were out there screaming your lungs out and although there was massive disappointment that is something I want you okes to never forget and let go of; the pride and support for our boys no matter what, something we have always been known for. We have had many representatives in A team sport this term and also provincial and national representation. As Kris and I looked through the sporting statistics of the house it became clear what we have is special and I want all of you to realize that. Sometimes you can become complacent and take things for granted and I beg of you not to, as we know once you get to the top it becomes everyone’s mission to knock you off your perch. So keep it up boys, we have done exceedingly well so many of you are being honored tonight. But I want to personally thank all of you, athletes and supporters equally for everything you have done this term for the house. The House is proud of you and I wish you all best of luck for coming events this year and the years after for those not in matric. Keep up this tradition of excellence and even with disappointment please don’t forget what got us here- our pride and gees for White House. Back your boys no matter what. And I end with the words of Michael Jordan “Some people want it to happen, others wish it would happen, others make it happen”. Boys we have made it happen.
List of Awards
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| The awarding of the prizes |
GCWH:
U14
Siya Qamgwana- 400m relay team
Cornel Smit – 100m sports day
Seb Hanekom – 200m sports day, victor ladorum, Triangular
Leonardo Potgieter – Discus sports day, Triangular
Enio Hamutneya- Triangular
Dakota Chong – Triangular
Llewellyn Shanjeganje- A team Basketball
Chris Hitchman – 100m, 200m relay
U15
Daniel Lombard – hurdles, shot, discus, victor ladorum, A team cricket
Jordan Flax – A team cricket
Mukumba Chiti – A team Basketball
Jonathan Sheefeni – A team Basketball
Grant Soll – A team Rowing
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| 'Spoon Banging"! |
U16
Justin Wyatt Smith – Long Jump sports day, triangular
Allen Maimba – Triangular
Jack Hannekom – Discus sports day , Triangular, A team rowing
CG – A team Basketball
Remy Miller – 400m relay
Oliver Belcher – 400m Relay
Mahutma Ulimwengu – 400m Relay
U19
Chaaba Jangulo – 1st team polo (half colours), Swimming team
David van de Merwe – 1st team waterpolo (half colours)
Mathew Haw – 1st team Basketball (half colours)
Jordan Sheefeni – 1st team Basketball
Shiraz Tobias – 1st team Basketball
Junade Arnolds – Triangular, 100m relay , 200m relay , 800m relay
Brandon Wheeler – 1st team tennis
Michael Korniew – 1st team shooting
Alex Giardini – 1st team shooting
Cameron Vinoker – Wp Bench Press
Kevin Shanjengange – triangular, Hurdles, 800m Relay, 1stteam Basketball (half colours)
Excellence Tie:
Jason Morris – Ist team rugby, winning shot put at triangular, general excellence over the years and dedication to White House sport
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| Excellence Tie winners |
Jack Nebe – representing South Africa in Ice Hockey championships
Kris Otto – 1sts rugby , Triangular , General excellence over the years and dedication to white house sport
Michael Foxcroft – Captain of Athletics, 1sts rugby , Triangular , general excellence over the years and dedication to white house sport
James Drummond – Triangular, representation of South African Hockey
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