Category: Bulletin

Bulletin

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱.

For Union High School, the enduring relationship with Astron Energy Eastern Cape and its local brand partners stands as a powerful example of what sustained community investment can achieve.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 – the Senior Rugby & Hockey Festival, now in its 37th year, and the Anne Beagley Junior Rugby & Hockey Festival, celebrating its 24th milestone. Together, these festivals have grown into some of the most respected school sporting gatherings in the Eastern Cape, welcoming over 600 learners from across South Africa to the heart of the Karoo for days of spirited competition, camaraderie and unforgettable memories – twice a year.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. Originally established by Old Unionite Clive Berlyn during his tenure as CEO of Caltex Eastern Cape Marketers, the partnership laid the foundation for what would become a defining feature of Union’s sporting calendar. From those early days – when Caltex and College Motors first came on board – to the present, the commitment has remained unwavering, even as the brand evolved into Astron Energy in South Africa.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 – a full-circle moment that reflects both continuity and growth. Today, alongside Astron Energy Eastern Cape, the partnership is proudly strengthened by local stalwarts Astron Energy Graaff-Reinet (College Motors), represented by 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘇𝗮, and Astron Energy Bothas Market Square (Botha’s Garage), represented by 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁.

College Motors, located on College Road, has established itself as a distinguished initial destination for travellers entering Graaff-Reinet.

Acquired by Pierre Le Grange in 1999, the business entered a new chapter in March 2024 under the ownership of his son-in-law, Stephan de Souza. With more than 20 years of industry experience, De Souza’s journey has come full circle – from starting his career under Le Grange, to refining his skills in Cape Town and ultimately returning to invest in and lead the business alongside family.

Recent upgrades, including a modernised facility and an expanded FreshStop offering, have transformed the site into a 24-hour convenience hub. With well-loved additions such as Seattle Coffee Co. and FreshStop favourites like Crispy Chicken and Grill to Go, College Motors continues to serve both locals and travellers with the same welcoming, family-oriented approach that has defined it for decades.

𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝘀 Botha’s Garage 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 – a true Graaff-Reinet institution. With a history stretching back more than a century, the site has long been woven into the fabric of the town. Since taking ownership in June 2024, Johan and Michaela Smit have embraced this legacy while bringing fresh energy to the business.

The recent redevelopment of the premises, including a modern retail space, coffee offering and improved facilities, reflects a thoughtful balance between heritage and progress – a commitment that mirrors the spirit of the festivals they support.

The impact of this long-standing sponsorship reaches far beyond the boundary lines of the fields. It enables Union to host large-scale, high-quality events that would otherwise not be possible – events where young sportsmen and women experience not only competition, but the warmth of Karoo hospitality and the unique charm of a town that opens its doors to them. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁.

For Graaff-Reinet itself, the ripple effect is significant. These festivals bring vibrancy, visitors and economic activity to the town, while showcasing the Karoo as a destination of both natural beauty and community spirit.

Quite simply, this is a partnership that has stood the test of time. The longevity of Union’s Rugby & Hockey Festivals is inseparable from the loyalty and generosity of Astron Energy Eastern Cape and its local partners. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 – 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩.

𝗔𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲. Because behind every whistle blown and every try scored lies the quiet, steadfast support of partners who have believed in the journey from the very beginning.

Bulletin

A couple of weeks on and there is still a warm sense of appreciation as we look back on the 𝟯𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 & 𝗛𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹.

Played out in beautiful Karoo conditions, the festival delivered not only high-quality hockey and rugby, but also a wonderful spirit of camaraderie between all participating teams.

From the first whistle on Friday to the final moments on Monday, the fields were filled with energy, sportsmanship and the unmistakable buzz that has become synonymous with this special weekend.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀.

Our 1st team hockey girls produced a series of outstanding performances, showcasing both attacking flair and disciplined structure. Convincing wins over Hoërskool Brandwag (11-0), Hoërskool DF Malherbe (13-0), and Nico Malan High School (10-0) set the tone early on, before a composed 4-1 semi-final victory over Pearson High School secured their place in the final. In a fitting end to the weekend, Union met a strong Oranje Meisieskool 2nd team in the final, finishing as worthy runners-up after a hard-fought match. 𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

It was also delightful to see Hoër Volkskool Graaff-Reinet‘s 1st hockey team doing exceptionally well, finishing fifth overall in the tournament. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘧𝘧-𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯.

𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀, our 1st XV delivered two confident performances, securing a well-earned 19-7 victory over Cambridge High School, followed by an impressive 40-7 win against Somerset College. These results were a pleasing reflection of the side’s physicality, cohesion and intent and added to an already successful festival weekend for Union.

𝗪𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje‘s 2nd team on successfully defending their title as 2026 champions and to all participating teams for the passion, skill and respect shown throughout. A special 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 goes to the coaches and managers, whose dedication – often over a busy holiday period – ensures opportunities like this for their players. To the parents and supporters on the sidelines, your encouragement added immeasurably to the occasion.

Finally, our 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to our anchor sponsors, Astron Energy Eastern Cape, together with local partners Astron Energy Graaff-Reinet, represented by 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘇𝗮, and Astron Energy Bothas Market Square, represented by 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁 and 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁. Your support plays a vital role in making this festival possible and continues to uplift school sport in our community.

𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 – 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 – 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥. 𝘞𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳.

Bulletin

A heartfelt 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to Justin and Liesl Kingwill of Blaauwater Farms & Guesthouse for their generous donation of PRINCESS hockey backpacks to our U11A girls.

Gestures like this mean so much, not only in a practical sense, but in the way they uplift and encourage our young players.

It is always incredibly special to see members of our community stand behind our teams, investing in their journey and sharing in their passion – and 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹.