Despite Diamantveld’s resounding success throughout the tournament, it was Northern Cape High School that managed to steal the show in the nail-biting climax of the tournament.
At the end of the day it’s just a game after all
THE EAGERLY anticipated annual Classic Clashes between Diamantveld High School and Northern Cape High School (NCH) have always been more than just a date on the calendar; they were a spectacle that captured the attention and imagination of many.
For 17 long years, these clashes served as a litmus test for each school’s prowess in hockey, netball, and rugby.
Then, at this past weekend’s 2023 clashes, Diamantveld emerged as the dominant force, leaving no room for doubt. Their sporting prowess was unmatched, and the statistics spoke for themselves.
In the netball section of the competition, Diamantveld won all five of their games. As for rugby, they secured four wins out of five, solidifying their dominance. Meanwhile, in the hockey section, NCH displayed their mettle, emerging as the winners by securing victories in three out of the five games, along with one loss and one draw.
Yet, despite Diamantveld’s resounding success throughout the tournament, it was Northern Cape High School that managed to steal the show in the nail-biting climax of the tournament.
The NCH Under-19 first team triumphed over Diamantveld with a razor-thin margin of 18-17. The triumph resonated deeply with the team, and tears welled up in the eyes of the players, a testament to the magnitude of their achievement.
The head of rugby at NCH, Deon Carney, was hoisted onto the shoulders of the jubilant players, a gesture symbolising their satisfaction with their coach and their wholehearted praise for a job well done. The jubilant chorus of “Deon, Deon, Deon” reverberated through the air, encapsulating their admiration.
For Northerns, this victory held immense significance as it granted them coveted bragging rights for the rest of the year. It was an accomplishment that would be etched into their school’s history, serving as a constant reminder that in 2023 they had triumphed over their fierce rivals.
However, the Classic Clashes were never merely about the sport and the athletes battling it out on the field. The competition encompasses a grander spectacle, bringing together the entire school community.
The stands were transformed into battlegrounds as students from both schools united to cheer on their teams. It was a fierce competition off the field, as each school aimed to outshine the other with their songs and chants, vying for the title of the loudest and most spirited supporters.
In the past, this aspect of the clashes held great significance, embodying pride and tradition. Crafting chants, singing songs, and challenging the opposing school through vocal battles were once essential components of the clashes, carrying as much weight as the outcome of the first-team games.
However, this year the echoes of “We call upon Diamonds to sing us a song, sing us a song” were notably absent during this year’s clashes. Unfortunately, this vital element of the clashes had faded away, leaving both schools seemingly bereft of the will to engage in this cherished tradition that had persevered for almost two decades.
As the Under-14 A rugby team kicked off the day’s events at 8:45am, the main stand was dismally empty, as if the supporters were still in their beds, fast asleep, neglecting their duty, and dare I say privilege, to rally behind their school. The cold and rainy weather might have had something to do with it, but if the players could be at the field, so could their supporters.
The two schools found themselves locked in battle on the field, but there was none of the rousing support they had come to expect – no chants, no songs, and no celebratory cheers for outstanding skills on display or those well-deserved tries.
Occasionally you could hear a cheer, and there were learners that strolled by with placards, but this was few and far between.
This trend continued throughout the Under-15 and Under-16 games.
The young athletes poured their hearts into the matches, pushing their limits, enduring bruises, tackles, and, sadly, even suffering concussions, all in the name of their school and the hope of victory. Yet their valiant efforts went unnoticed by their fellow learners, for there was a notable lack of interest in the younger age groups.
It must have been a disheartening sight for these budding athletes as they toiled on the field without the echoing cheers and unwavering support of their peers.
It was hard to believe that not many years ago fans were aching to attend live sporting events, probably vowing that if the covid lockdown ever was lifted they would never miss an opportunity to get outside into the fresh air, rubbing shoulders with allies and opponents alike.
It did not show when the younger teams were playing.
Yet, amidst this lack of peer support, it was the parents who steadfastly stood on the sidelines, tirelessly shouting at the top of their voices in support of their children and the school teams. Clad in their children’s school colours, the parents became the unsung heroes of the day, their unwavering dedication and encouragement deserving of the utmost appreciation.
It was only later on, as the time drew nearer for the first teams to take the field, that the stands began to swell with supporters. But yet again, the magical aura of school pride, the challenge in the air, the familiar chants – were all conspicuously absent from both sides of the stands.
There was an undeniable void, a lack of vigour in the cheers, and a dearth of will to drown out the voices of the opposing school. One couldn’t help but wonder: where were the hundreds of learners from both schools who were not taking an active part in the sports events? Why were they not in the stands bringing the roof down?
If one school displayed more spirit and support than the other, it was Northern Cape High. They mustered the strength to sing some of their songs and battlecries, yet their performance fell short of the grandeur I remembered from my own school days.
However, it has to be said that one thing that did stand out for both schools was the enthusiasm of their cheerleaders. Each school’s cheerleaders had meticulously choreographed routines, putting on awe-inspiring displays with their graceful flips, twirls, and lofty leaps captivating the crowd.
Nevertheless, special recognition should be accorded to the Northerns cheerleaders. When a glitch in their music caused them to stop their routine during halftime, and they had to walk off the field, the disappointment on the faces of the girls showed. It was clear how much it meant to them.
However, they were awarded the opportunity to try again at the end of the final game. It was their first time performing together, and their diligent preparation shone through, leaving the audience in awe. For a debut performance they could undoubtedly be proud of what they had accomplished.
Yes, the 2023 Classic Clashes undeniably showcased which school reigned supreme in terms of athletic prowess this year. However, sadly, both schools faltered when it came to demonstrating their pride, their spirited cheers, and their unwavering support from the stands.
Perhaps, in the coming year, both schools will make a concerted effort to rally behind all their teams from the outset. They can revisit the songs that once echoed through the clashes, rekindling the flames of tradition, and thereby endeavour to outshine one another in the realm of chants, singing, and war cries to show their support.
Only then will they truly embody the spirit that has made the Classic Clashes such a celebrated event.
