Blythedale Coastal Resort Kearsney Schools Easter Rugby Festival

Kearsney College is proud to announce that Blythedale Coastal Resort of the eLan Property Group has signed on as the new title sponsor of the annual Kearsney Schools’ Easter Rugby Festival. “We are thrilled to be able to give something back to rugby development, which complements our long relationship in rugby with the South African Rugby Legends Association”, says élan CEO Mark Taylor, himself a Kearsney old boy. We see this as a long-term investment and are proud to position our latest development at Blythedale Coastal Resort in the title role. This environment is the ideal family resort, and fits the profile of Kearsney and the participating schools’ families,” he continues. “It has allowed the resort to align itself with the type of family and values that we believe will exist on the estate. Part of our strategy is to make the festival the place to be over Easter, so that families book it on their holiday calendar.” This new sponsorship means a fresh new look and feel to the tournament and the development of a tournament brand, which can only grow from strength to strength.

As part of the new strategy, we are also happy to announce that éLan brought on board the services of The Flagship, the premier, specialist, sport and sport events marketing advertising and communication agency to reposition the festival and to create a value proposition which will make it the entertainment venue of choice over the long weekend. Their experience and success in major sporting events and brands, is already adding value to our own team input and the tournament,” says Joy Mills-Hackman, Festival Marketing Manager.

This year, visitors will be able to purchase a weekend value pack in advance including their parking, admission, picnic basket for a Music in the Park gospel concert on Easter Sunday, competition and promotional entries, added-value products and a basket of value for the whole family, all made possible by sponsors and alliance partners of the festival. Your pack will give you as a family of four admission and incredible value – you can of course upsize if your family is bigger than four. They will also be distributed for sale through local schools and launched in the media by end February.

In past years, the Easter Weekend became synonymous with rugby festivals, which eventually stopped due to the professional era and new club structures. In 2008 Kearsney College introduced an invitational Schools’ Rugby festival that filled a void in the amateur calendar and effectively created a stage to showcase schoolboy rugby at its very best. This promises to be the best tournament yet with an incredible entertainment offering.
The KZN Schools’ Easter Rugby Festival takes place annually, and is held at Kearsney College situated in Botha’s Hill found halfway between Durban and the capital, Pietermaritzburg. Visiting schools are accommodated at the school, which boasts an atmosphere that is conducive to creating and maintaining sporting relationships. In essence one can consider this to be the place where diverse cultures, rugby skills, talent and inspiration can be shared.

Schools competing in this year’s tournament hail from 5 provinces and include Grey College (FS), Hoerskool EG Jansen, Hoerskool Marais Viljoen, Hoerskool Monument (GP), Selbourne College, Hoerskool Nico Malan (EC), Hoerskool Upington (NC), Glenwood High School, and Kearsney College (KZN). The tenth team is the Blythedale/eLan invitational XV comprising players from KZN’s development programme. Teams of this stature will ensure top-level rugby over a weekend that promises to be both successful and entertaining.
A Primary School competition will also be introduced this year and run in conjunction with the High School matches. This not only serves as a showcase for Kearsney College and to increase festival interest, but also offers an opportunity for young players to experience a sponsored rugby tournament.

The Blythedale Coastal Resorts Schools’ Easter Rugby Festival will take place from Thursday 1 April to Monday 5 April and everyone is invited to share in the festivities, entertainment and rugby spectacular. Whilst Rugby is the primary attraction, the festival has something to offer family members of all ages with the promise of fine food, stalls, music and more.

For more information on the festival Contact Joy Mills-Hackmann on 031 7659627 or via joy@kearsney.com