Tension is mounting countrywide as October and the 2016 Spur High Schools’ League National Finals, to be hosted at Bekker School in Magaliesberg approaches writes Christel Liebenberg.
Since its humble beginnings with approximately 900 riders in 2009, the league has grown beyond expectations. This year it featured 45 events, an estimated 500 schools and 10 000 MTB enthusiasts competing across the country.
Gauteng has seen an explosive growth both in participating schools and riders and is currently the largest league in the country, with more than 80 schools and close on 3 000 riders competing this season. Competition is fierce as only the top ten schools as well as individual category winners will qualify for the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League finals. In the smaller regions fewer teams will be selected and all are fighting for their spot as Spur sponsor accommodation and transport for the top riders.
A joint initiative between Spur Steak Ranches and trail advocacy group Amarider, the League provides a powerful platform for promoting mountain biking at school level and beyond. The League is affiliated to South African Schools Cycling (SASC), which in turn is affiliated to Cycling SA as a development initiative particularly geared to create a platform for schools to compete against each other and, in doing so, raise the profile of the sport at school level.
According to league director Meurant Botha of Amarider, participation at local events has shown a steady growth as schools accept mountain biking as a recognized sport – some going as far as employing coaches and managers to oversee teams and even building dedicated tracks on school grounds to encourage after school practices and interschool sports days.
“Although there are many kids finding their competitive edge on their bicycles, the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League’s focus is still to encourage more kids on bikes, more schools in action. It is important for all children to enjoy participating whether only starting out or having participated for a couple seasons,” says Botha.
The League runs on the Olympic Cross Country (XCO) lap-racing format whereby participants complete a set number of laps, determined by age category, of a short mountain bike course. Lap distances are between three and five kilometres. A large number of league participants competed against each other in the 2016 XCO Championships, adding even more suspense to the upcoming Spur Schools MTB League Finals.
Over the years the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League facilitated various rider development programmes and has seen a definite increase in the number of female riders as well as logged an increased number of primary schools supporting the league.
This year has also seen the introduction of Team Spur, James Reid and Ariane Kleinhans, who play the important role of encouraging League riders to follow their dreams and showing the reality of becoming sponsored athletes.
On Saturday 8 October more than 60 schools will go head to head with the top 26 riders in each category scoring points for their team in an effort to secure podium positions in the National Inter-schools Final. Menlopark High School dominated the 2015 Spur Schools Mountain Bike League finals winning the boys, girls and mixed team trophies.
On Sunday 9 October schools will team up for the SASC Interprovincial Competition whereby the best 10 results will be tallied to crown the best province. The North West Province are the current defending champions.
The founding sponsor of the League, Spur Steak Ranches has again committed to a bigger and better season offering a R10 000 contribution to school teams that win their respective age categories at the National Inter-schools Finals. “Seeing the continued growth of the program is something we as Spur Steak Ranches are very proud of and we decided to offer this bonus to foster healthy competition and promote teamwork between riders and within schools, as well as increase participation across all skill levels and abilities,” said Andrew Cronje, Spur Market Development Manager.
For more information and results visit www.spurmtbleague.co.za and be sure to like the League on Facebook at Spur Schools League and follow @spurMTBleague on Twitter for more information. Or post your Spur Schools’ League photos using the #spurMTBleague hashtag.
Bio:
Christel Liebenberg is a Stellenbosch based PR guru and when she’s not hard at work promoting the Spur Schools’ League or Dirtopia’s trail running events you’ll find her on the trails herself either hiking or on horseback. Follow her on Twitter: @christelperidot.
