St. Alban's Old Boys' Day 2023

On 10 June 2023 St. Stithians took on St. Albans in an away fixture at St. Albans Old Boy’s Day. It was a busy fixture with lots of games, the 1st XV only commencing theirs at 2pm. This wasn’t just any other fixture day, as a very special atmosphere filled the air. What stood out the most for me on this day was witnessing the Synergy of St. Stithians Boys’ College and the Boys’ Prep, both coming together to participate in and celebrate the gift of sport.

While the big brothers were taking on St. Albans, on the same grounds St. Stithians Boys’ Prep was taking on WHPS in a full slate of rugby fixtures. It was wonderful to see the Boys College boys and parents also taking the time to watch the Prep Boys’ games and vice-versa. This all culminated in the College 1st XV running onto the field through a tunnel created by the Prep 1st XV. This was a very special moment and I cannot recall ever seeing anything quite like it in my time at Saints.

The Prep boys were so excited at the occasion, they even joined the Boys College in the stands as they sang warcries. The final score eventually went St. Alban’s way, but I can’t help but feel that there was a victory of a different kind that was won by Saints.

A really great moment was seeing Springbok Hooker Bongi Mbonambi show up on my camera’s LED screen while I was recording. I truly did not expect that! Another nice moment was seeing the Nupen Innovation Centre named after Mr. Grant Nupen who’s great legacy in South African Education I referred to in the Founder’s Day Frequency, when St. Stithians Head Girl Jozi Nupen included a nice tribute to Mr. Nupen, her grandfather.

St. Stithians 1st XI Hockey got a 5-0 victory over St. Albans and so the Boys’ Prep 1st XV Rugby won a solid 45-17 against WPHS.

A truly great day for Saints.

Warmest Regards,

Jackson Gondo