Sport

A healthy body fosters a healthy mind. At Charlie Hofmeyr, we believe that participation in sports is a central element in a balanced young person’s life, and we strive to offer as many options as possible so that every learner can express themselves fully.

Our Mission:

• To provide learners with opportunities to participate and excel in sports activities, thereby contributing to their holistic education.
• To involve as many learners as possible in the extracurricular sports program.
• To develop qualified coaches, referees, officials, and well-rounded participants through the sport activities we offer.
• To establish adequate facilities for the practice of sports.
• To perform at a level where the sports program contributes to promoting the school and fostering the character development of our learners.

As Charlie sportsmen and -women, we will:

• Commit ourselves to our chosen sport for the entire season.
• Always conduct ourselves in a manner that brings honour to the school and community, while fostering the healthy development of our full potential.
• Wear the correct attire at events, competitions, and during matches.
• Respect the decisions of referees and officials and accept them as final.
• Be punctual in attending sports activities, practices, events, and meetings.
• Refrain from using foul language or making unsportsmanlike remarks.
• Cherish our achievements with humility and embrace them as challenges to strive for even higher standards.
• Win with humility and lose with grace.
• Always participate in sports with self-discipline, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and responsibility to the best of our ability.
• Work together as a team with our peers.

We aim to create opportunities for every learner and promote participation. This is the goal we strive for at Charlie Hofmeyr. As the school’s sports coordinator, I work hard to build and maintain a close relationship with each head of code. Good communication is always part of success.

My name is JR Foreman, and since October 2021, I have been a proud Charlie.

I hail from the Eastern Cape, where I obtained a Diploma in Sports Management at NMMU in Gqeberha. During my practical training, I was involved with various high and primary schools as well as sports academies. From 2017 to 2019, I served as the sports manager at Hoërskool Cradock, and from 2019 to 2021, I was the Head of Sports at Hoërskool Punt in Mossel Bay. Sport is my passion. My main code is rugby, and I am also involved in athletics coaching. Here at Charlie Hofmeyr, your child will find a sporting home where they can grow and excel.

James Robert Foreman

A highlight on the Charlie calendar is the annual interschools event against Robertson High School. Several of our sports codes participate on this day, and the spirit that prevails perfectly embodies how Charlie approaches sports.

By Charlie Hofmeyr is ons trots op ons wêreldklas astrobaan. Die astro maak die ontwikkeling van hierdie sportsoort van ‘n veel hoër gehalte en bied ook aan ons leerders die beste moontlike ontwikkelingsgeleenthede. Die vaardighede wat die spelers hierdeur aanleer, maak dat Charlie Hofmeyr suksesvol met skole kan meeding wat baie groter as ons skool is.

Ons is ook die aanbieders van die jaarlikse Charlie Hofmeyr Hokkietoernooi gesamentlik met Elsie Coetzer Hokkieskool. Hierdie toernooi vind elke jaar tydens die Maart-skoolvakansie plaas. Hierdie spoggeleentheid lok skole van regoor die land. Dit bied nie net aan hulle die geleentheid vir goeie afrigting en opleiding as skeidsregters nie, maar hulle speel ook wedstryde teen skole wat hulle nie gewoonlik mee kompeteer nie. Die toernooi het in 2018 afgeskop en die belangstelling en gehalte groei van jaar tot jaar. Spanne bly in die koshuise vir die duur van die toernooi en ‘n lekker feestelike atmosfeer word by die toernooi vir die besoekers geskep.

Charlie Hofmeyr regards rugby as a tough contact sport that must be played with great respect. We compete against some of the strongest schools in the country and ensure that the talents of every rugby player at the school are fully developed. Quality, specialised coaching and strong values in the sport are very important to us.

• Our 1st rugby team participates annually in the Oakdale Rugby Festival and the CWL Baard Day.
• Our u.15 team competes in the Frans Malherbe Festival, hosted by HJS Paarl.
• The u.16 team also tours annually, giving our boys excellent exposure and the opportunity to measure their skills against new opponents.
• Our u.14 to u.19 teams tour to Riversdale and Oudtshoorn, where the players have the chance to build strong bonds as a team.

The school is privileged to deliver provincial players at various levels each year. During the 2023/2024 season, we were proud to have a national representative in the SA u.18 7s team and the SA Schools A team.

The school offers coaching to learners who want to participate in galas, but also those who want to improve their skills or participate in the sport for exercise.

Practice takes place in the town’s Olympic-standard 50-meter swimminf pool, which is big enough to accommodate a large number of swimmers. We encourage learners to consider duathlon – combining the disciplines of swimming and running. We are privileged to be able to collaborate with and have access to the experise of external expert swimming coach, Natasha van der Berg. Natasha, who has her own swimming club, often joins Charlie Hofmeyr swimming practice session. She also offers coaching to learners who want to compete at a higher level.

Swimming season is from January to April and again from
October to November.

Every year we host a gala where learners compete against each other. We also accept invitations to other competitions.

Charlie Hofmeyr boasts a number of talented golfers who participate in the schools’ league at the start of each year. We are also proud to have two teams that have won our Interschools competition against Robertson for the past three years.

Our school is conveniently located right next to the golf course, making it easily accessible for our golfers.

The strong partnership we have with the golf course management ensures that our learners have weekly access to the course, allowing them to consistently deliver high-quality play.

With 21 netball teams and approximately 160 girls participating, netball is the most popular sport among girls at Charlie Hofmeyr. We ensure that our players receive quality coaching and ample opportunities to grow and excel in the sport.

Regular coaching clinics and tournaments are organized to maintain a high standard of play. Specialized coaching and the ongoing development of our players are key priorities for us.

Charlie Hofmeyr proudly produces several Cape Winelands and Western Cape players each year.

We have a large group of chess players, comprising both a boys’ and a girls’ team. Various matches are also played by a mixed team.

Our chess program is proud to have players who annually represent Witzenberg at the Top Schools competition. Several of our chess players are part of the Cape Winelands Schools Chess Team, which participates in the Western Cape Schools Chess Trials.

The chess team competes annually in the Boys’ High Chess Tournament, where our players gain valuable exposure and the opportunity to test their skills against strong opponents from different provinces.

Our chess players train three times a week, with special attention given to beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.

We offer all our learners the opportunity to participate in tennis, with the season usually spanning terms 1, 3, and 4. Our players receive professional coaching as well as individual attention. Each year, our top six girls compete in the Agnus Pauw Tennis Tournament.

Our tennis teams also participate annually in various other tournaments, such as the Boland Agriculture and T4J Tennis Tournaments.

The cricket season at Charlie Hofmeyr is a very busy time.

Charlie’s U19A and U15A teams compete in the Boland Weekend League, with matches decided over 50 overs. Our U19B (Drake) and U15B teams participate in weekday matches in both the Witzenberg and North Boland leagues.

Our First Team is coached by Mr. Mike Barnard, and we also benefit from the expertise of former Proteas player Martin van Jaarsveld, who helps refine our players’ skills.

The First Team participates annually in the HS Punt Cricket Festival in Mossel Bay during the September holidays. Before the start of the first term, we also take part in another cricket festival. Starting in 2025, the Charlie Hofmeyr Cricket Festival will be hosted, where we will compete against HS Bellville, HS Durbanville, and HS Stellenberg.

Charlie proudly boasts numerous players each year who are selected for Witzenberg teams to compete in Boland regional matches. The school also consistently produces provincial players who are chosen for Boland teams.

Our athletics program is not limited to the summer season; many of our learners also participate in a winter-season training program. Each year, we host a color sports event as well as an interclass competition.

The annual highlight is our Interschools Athletics Competition between Charlie Hofmeyr High School, Worcester Gymnasium High School, Jan van Riebeeck High School, Fish Hoek High School, Dirkie Uys High School, and Stellenbosch High School. Charlie Hofmeyr was the proud winner of the Interschools Trophy in 2020 and 2022.

Specialist coaching for every event offered by the school is of critical importance to us.

Each year, our school produces learners who represent Boland at the Western Cape Championships, and even athletes who advance further to the South African High School Championships.

First Aid at Charlie Hofmeyr High School is regarded as a very high priority. At the start of each year, our First Aid team completes a first aid course. Half of the team is trained at Level 1, and the other half at Level 2. Each year, we have around 30 learners who are part of the team. They are responsible for providing first aid at all home sports days. The team is divided into shifts, usually working 1 or 2 shifts of one hour each. With their red gazebo and jackets, they look indispensable, neat, and professional every weekend.

Not only are you part of a team that supports the sports teams every Saturday, but your first aid certificate is valid for three years and can be added to your CV. First aid is sometimes a challenging and thankless job, but if you do it for the right reasons, you will definitely enjoy it and find great satisfaction in it. Dedication is certainly a first aid value that is highly appreciated.

Our school’s Pom Poms team is a dynamic and energetic group of athletes who are passionate about supporting our teams, building school pride, and inspiring the entire school community. Known for their unique performances, precise stunts, and powerful cheerleading, they bring excitement and unity to many sports events and school functions.

Proudly wearing our school colours of blue and white, they uplift the spirit of our school and represent our values with pride. The team works hard throughout the year, practising their routines and refining their skills to consistently deliver a high-quality performance.

Our Charlie Pom Poms are the heart of school spirit, promoting pride and unity throughout the year while displaying blue and white pride in everything they do.

The following extracurricular sports are accommodated and recognized:

• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Duathlon
• Youth Agricultural
• Show Gymnastics
• Clay Target Shooting
• Squash
• Bodybuilding
• Motorcycling
• Karate