The cream of high school mountain bike riders representing more than 40 schools from across South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will take to the track at Bekker School in Magaliesburg for the finals of the 2014 Spur High School Mountain Bike League this weekend (4-5 October).
Following an exciting 2014 season, fierce competition is expected when more than 325 learners compete for podium positions and ultimately the coveted title of National Spur School MTB League champions.
The league was launched in 2009 as a joint initiative between Spur and AMARIDER to create a fun racing environment for kids and has also facilitated the building of mountain bike tracks on school property and community grounds. Earlier this year the league cemented its position as one of the leading sport development programmes in the country when it was shortlisted as a finalist for the 2014 Discovery Sport Industry Awards.
This year over 50 local and regional events, which attracted close on 10000 riders were hosted over the 7-month season and according to league co-ordinator, Meurant Botha of AMARIDER the league has surpassed all expectations in terms of reach, participation and level of riding.
“The growth has been phenomenal considering we went from 1650 riders during the inaugural season to a record reach logging 45% year-on-year growth. This would not have been possible without the unwavering support from all the regional organisers and Spur’s active involvement as League sponsor,” says Botha.
He further reiterated that the skills levels of the riders had improved immensely and that many of the former development riders were amongst the top riders this season.
“It is rewarding to see so many teachers, parents and local Spur branches getting involved at grassroots level as this is the key to growing the Spur Mountain Bike League base even broader. The keen support on primary school level is also a good sign that the sport is growing and fast establishing itself as one of the formal school sport disciplines,” Botha added.
According to Spur Market Development Manager Andrew Cronje, the group is delighted to be a part of grassroots mountain-biking development at school level.
“We are really proud to be associated with the league as it not only provides a platform for schools to compete in a structured way, but is also playing a key role in growing mountain biking as a sport discipline,” said Cronje.
With more than 40 schools vying for the coveted floating trophy of top cycling school in the country, the event promises great spectator value.
A maximum of 12 riders are allowed per team with points allocated to the top five boys in the Boys Team category, top three girls in the Girls Team category, and three boys and two girls respectively in the Mixed category.
Points will be awarded from 26 for 1st place down to 1 point for 26th place and all finishers. Waterkloof High School are the defending mixed and girls team champions, while Paul Roos has hung on to the top spot in the boys category for the past four years.
A fun team relay event will be hosted on Saturday afternoon and a trophy is up for grabs for the fastest boys’ and fastest mixed team.
The Spur School Mountain Bike League final is also considered an interprovincial derby with the top cycling teams from across South Africa vying for the coveted interprovincial floating trophy on Sunday.
To determine the champion province, the top 10 results of each province will be tallied on the 26 point structure. International teams will compete as nations against the South African provinces.
Gauteng is well-positioned to defend the coveted Spur Mountain Bike League Interprovincial Trophy boasting the largest contingent representing 10 schools, followed by Western Cape with six schools.
Programme (Saturday, 4 October)
07H00 Registration Opens (invited riders only)
08H30 Sub Junior Boys
09H20 Youth Boys
10H10 All Girls
11H10 Junior Boys
15H00 Fun relay
18H00 Awards Function/Dinner
Interprovincial Event (Sunday, 5 October)
07H00 Registration Opens (invited riders only)
08H30 Sub Junior Boys
O8H50 Youth Boys
09H30 All Girls
10H15 Junior Boys
11H30 Prize Giving
For more information on the Spur High School Mountain Bike league visit http://www.spur.co.za/about-us/event/spur-mtb-league or www.amarider.co.za or contact Amarider on 021 884 4547.
Are you sure it is going to be the "cream" ??
Friend of mines daughter was placed 1st in her category in the Western Cape but due to being the only cyclist from her school she does not qualify, check the western cape results for Chloe Parker!
Some local schools brought girls who could hardly ride a bike just to make up numbers so their better riders could qualify, surely if you finish 1st in your category you qualify to go to the finals?