South African sports academy visits Loreto

Sports Academy George aim to select talented sports people from the Township of George and give them a chance to improve their skills both physically, mentally, socially and spiritually and thus many either go on to further studies or good employment.

During the group’s time in Northern Ireland, it is due to play only fifteen teams during its stay.  With local schools fundraising to facilitate their tour, this was the group’s fourth visit to Loreto College: teams previously visited in 2010 (football), 2011 (netball) and 2015 (football). On this occasion,

the Academy’s netball team, the Rooicats, spent a day in Loreto College.

The highly talented visiting team sang and danced in Assembly on the morning of their visit, then spent the day shadowing the Year 12-14 girls from the netball team they played against during the afternoon.  After lunch in the Café Lorette, the team met a combined Year 12-14 Loreto netball team in the afternoon.  The Sports Academy side kept up their tour’s winning record during a lively game.  Gifts and hugs were exchanged at the end of a very friendly competition. 

Mrs Maureen McCullough, Head of PE at Loreto College, described the occasion as memorable and exciting, and paid tribute to the students who had looked after the visiting team, commenting on the friendship which had developed rapidly between the visiting netballers and their hosts.  Mr Michael James, Principal of Loreto College, was delighted to welcome the Sports Academy group back to the College and thanked all those who had made such a memorable day possible.