Northerns athletes dominate schools championships

fuad Esack|Published 1 year ago

Curro Durbanville Primary School’s Lamicah Adamson with her tally of gold medals won at last week’s WP primary schools’ athletics championships, in Paarl.

Athletes representing the Cape metropole’s northern suburbs school district dominated last week’s Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl.

Lamicah Adamson, 12, a promising sprinter and a Grade 6 pupil at Curro Durbanville Primary School was among the top performers, clinching gold in the girls’ under-12 150m and 100m sprints as well as in the long jump event.

The lanky teen stood head and shoulders above her rivals, breaking three records along the way and also helped her team win gold in the girls’ under-12 4x100m relay.

Curro Durbanville Primary School’s Lamicah Adamson with her tally of gold medals won at last week’s WP primary schools’ athletics championships, in Paarl.

The current national 80m and 100m champion, Lamicah caught the eye of track and field fans across the country in a viral video captured at last year’s primary schools’ national championships in Pietermaritzburg, where she clinched the SA title in the under-11 division.

From left, Metro North Education District athletes, Alaina-Jane Franken (Eversdal) Lamicah Adamson (Curro) and Hanna Coetzee (Gen Louw) looking relaxed between events at Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

While crossing the finish line first may seem easy for someone with her natural-born speed, winning is not all it’s cracked up to be, says Lamicah, who remembers all too well finishing sixth in her first appearance at the nationals, in Potchefstroom in 2022, in the 100m sprints.

“I was very sad and told myself I will train harder everyday,” said Lamicah, the youngest of three children.

Metro North Education District’s Lamicah Adamson on her way to finishing first in the girls’ under-12 150m sprint at last week’s Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl. Picture: Fuad Esack

Lamicah Adamson claims the number one spot on the podium following one of her exploits at last week’s Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, in Paarl.

Lamica, who transferred from Mitchell’s Plain’s Parkhurst Primary School at the beginning of the school year, says she settled in nicely at Curro and is happy to represent the north.

A member of coach Paul Jacobus’ Elite Athletes Sprints and Hurdles Academy, Lamicah and other qualifying athletes are now gearing up for this weekend’s Western Cape championships, in Paarl, where they will compete for a spot at the upcoming national championships due to be held at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Limpopo towards the end of the month.

Gold medal winner Christiaan Coetzee gives his performance in the boys’ under-12 150m hurdles event two thumbs up.

Jacobs established his academy in 2012 and has worked with athletes from various schools, including Lamicah, whom he first met while working as a physical education teacher at Parkhurst, before relocating to the northern suburbs.

“I am a firm believer in youth development. I understand the challenges that these kids are facing in this generation,” he said, adding that coaching girls comes with its own set of challenges, something many coaches across the country grapple with.

Metro North’s Emily Manda, a Grade 5 pupil at Delft South Primary School, all smiles after winning silver in the girls’ under-11 long jump event. Picture: Fuad Esack

“I am fortunate to have one of the greatest mentors in my life, coach Hennie Kriel who guides me step-by-step on how to manage female athletes and how to develop them correctly,” he said, referring to the celebrated coach considered one of South Africa’s finest.

Kenridge Primary School’s Daniel van der Westhuizen shows fine form in the boys’ under-13 150m hurdles event. Picture: Fuad Esack

He said it’s important to have systems in place to ensure longevity for Lamicah and other young athletes.

“A proper support structure will keep this young champ in the sport for a long time,” he said.

“Parents and coaches must have an open mindset, it's not just training, it's things behind the scenes that counts the most,” he said.

“As a young athlete it’s important to have fun on the track. Don't be hard on yourself, always believe in yourself and always try to better yourself on and off the training grounds,” he said.

Athletes representing the Cape metropole’s northern suburbs school district dominated last week’s Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships, at Dal Josafat Stadium in Paarl. Picture: Fuad Esack

Elite Athletes Academy’s Christiaan Stander impressed in the boys’ under-11 70m hurdles event.

While most of the athletes who performed well at last week’s championships, a large contingent are members of Jacobs Elite Athletes Academy. With more than 40 athletes in his care, Jacobus has his hands full and is understandably thankful for Mariné Franken’s help with general administration duties and making sure the youngsters’ needs are seen to on and off the track.

Elite Academy’s Milan Kotze finished fifth in the 75m hurdles event in her division, at last week’s Western Province primary schools’ athletics championships.

“A portion of our athletes are under 10 years old and currently in the foundational phase of their training, not yet engaged in provincial-level competition,” Franken said.

“Most of them are frequent faces on the podiums at various school competitions. We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season when these growing athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at the provincial level,” she said.

Metro North athlete Abongile Xotyeni won a silver medal in the 150m hurdles event in her division.

“We are fortunate to have numerous exceptional athletes who are part of our Elite Athletes family. We take great pride in announcing that 15 of our athletes were honoured with WP colours and collectively earned an impressive total of 28 medals during the WP Championships. Notably, among these achievements, several secured gold medals,” she said.

Eversdal Primary School’s Yanre Greyvenstein cuts a dapper figure with his medals draped around his neck. The Elite Academy and Metro North athlete won silver in the 100m and long jump events in his division and a bronze medal in the 80m dash.

Like Jacobs, Franken believes having fun is as important, if not more, than training and competing.

“School athletics has changed a lot over time. Nowadays, there's more focus on training and competing from a young age. It's not just about having fun anymore – there's a bigger emphasis on winning and reaching certain goals. Coaches and teachers use new technology and sports science to help students improve. Overall, while school sports are still fun, they've become more serious and organised than before,” she said.