COLLEGE WELCOME
A very warm welcome to all players and coaches at the 19th edition of our St John’s College Basketball Tournament.
Basketball remains one of the fastest-growing sports in our country, and we are delighted to host this premier tournament that welcomes many of the finest teams as we give our young men the opportunity for some healthy competition. It is also wonderful to have our friends and families with us – whether you are joining us at the courts or watching the action live via the SuperSports School app.
As youth sports become increasingly competitive, we must consider the values and traditions of why we place and coach sports at this important youth level.
There are many valuable character-building lessons to be learned on the courts — passion, commitment, hard work, perseverance and dealing with success or disappointment graciously. We encourage our players to commit to good sportsmanship and fair play throughout the Tournament as we celebrate the new friendships made this weekend and engage in keen competition and healthy rivalry.
Tournaments of this nature would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, and we are proud to align ourselves with brands that value the diverse sporting codes of our nation.
Thank you to Mr Clemen Kock, MIC Basketball, for his tireless work producing a tournament of this standard. A word of thanks also goes to the coaches and officials for their commitment and hard work. And I would like to thank our support staff for preparing the facilities and our magnificent grounds and our medical staff and security personnel who have worked hard to ensure the safety of all.
The Parents’ Basketball Committee has worked incredibly hard in planning this event, and I would like to thank the Chairman of the Parents’ Basketball Committee, Mr Jameson Hlongwane and his team of parents for their enormous effort in supporting the tournament.
We wish the players, coaches, managers, officials, and spectators – at the courts or home – a terrific weekend of competitive basketball. We trust our boys will build many friendships, hone their skills, and compete keenly on the court.
Above all, enjoy yourselves.
Mr Stuart West
Executive Headmaster
St John’s College
STANDARD BANK WELCOME
Standard Bank is proud to renew its partnership with St John’s College. Since the advent of our relationship, which initially started in 2012, we have been of the view that invaluable opportunities are at the heart of what these tournaments represent.
As a bank heavily invested in education in South Africa, we recognise the critical role sport plays in a well-rounded education and fully developed character. Moreover, as a bank calling Africa its home and committed to the growth of our continent, we also acknowledge the role of sport in uniting communities.
Basketball is a sport that encompasses some of the values that are critical to developing cohesion, which, as a country, we all know we need to solve challenges.
Just as operating effectively as a team defines success in sports, our business at Standard Bank is also about relationships. Building relationships with clients, communities, and even whole countries – 20 of them across Africa, in fact – is what defines Standard Bank as a business.
This is why we see ourselves as more than a bank. Instead, we believe our strength lies in leveraging our value chains, clients, and people to unlock opportunities by building the relationships that help us all bring our best and win together!
It is this spirit of partnership, teamwork, and cooperation towards a clear outcome – to win – that we believe will come to define our relationship with an institution like St John’s College, which has such a proud history of excellence through service.
Good luck. If you play fair and hard and work together as a team, you’ll all have won – for yourselves, your community and your country. These are the values that St John’s represents. They are also the values that Standard Bank lives every day.
Thank you.
Tshiamo Molanda
Head, Youth and Mass Market PPB SA
PREP WELCOME
I am pleased to welcome all you basketball enthusiasts to the U13 age-group category of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament.
We are thrilled to have you here, and we hope you will enjoy this showcase of talent, teamwork and sportsmanship.
My best wishes to every participant. May this be a memorable tournament for you and your team. Work hard and play straight.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors, our volunteers and our parents for their support in making this tournament a great success. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.
Enjoy this exciting showcase of schoolboy basketball!
Lux Vita Caritas
Mr Lester Lalla
Headmaster
St John’s Preparatory
MASTER-IN-CHARGE WELCOME
St John’s College is a school steeped in tradition and history with 19 years of commitment to building basketball, a sport we love dearly, and to hosting our annual tournament.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our teams who will battle it out over the four days across six basketball courts at our magnificent school in the heart of Houghton.
We trust that you will enjoy your time here with us, and we count on each of you to play your role in delivering a wonderful experience for all through your continued support, dedication and sportsmanship.
Thank you to the administrators for your work in getting your teams here and to the coaches who have prepared your teams to be here. We are extremely grateful to all the parents for their support of the boys, to the technical officials for their expertise and craft, and last and most importantly, to the boys for creating such special moments on the courts – we can’t come together without you on the floor.
Mr Clemen Kock
Master-in-Charge of Basketball
St John’s College
