A brand new electronic cricket/rugby scoreboard on Goldstones is one of many sports related improvements that Maritzburg College has made in recent months. The scoreboard and the construction to support it was funded from donations from four of Maritzburg College Old Boy branches, namely Harding, Zululand, Midlands and Tugela, plus a contribution from the MCOB Association itself, totalling R100,000. The Old Boys in conjunction with the school planned and implemented the project.
The old scoreboard which carries with it many memories will continue to be used to highlight the results of all the open team games. In addition, the rear of the building is going to be revamped to provide a new changeroom facility as well as toilets for visitors.
In terms of other investments, College has laid new cushioned basketball flooring and mounted new hoops in the Alan Paton Hall, meaning they now have two full size indoor courts for players. Additional change rooms have also be built for this facility. The Marizburg College High Performance Centre has been revamped to now include indoor cricket nets with full length run-ups, plus an artificial turf area for multiple uses e.g. hockey warm-ups, off-season rugby drills such as line-outs, as well as our normal PE classes. This all-weather centre will provide College with much improved facilities for their High Performance Centre as well as their gym. They have also resurfaced the warm-up / rehab pool adjacent to the main swimming / polo pool.
College has also been very fortunate to negotiate a lease with the council to take over part of the adjacent Jackson sports grounds so the school will be able to offer our soccer players two full sized fields for their exclusive use, allowing for more pre-season training and also accommodating more matches.
@Grasshopper: @BOG: Why do you think GCB stopped playing Queens the losses were becoming an a bit much for the GC Old Boys to handle.
@Gungets Tuft: Nope, just follow all the schools and it popped up on my tweet deck…
@Grasshopper: Tjaa, saw that. Twitter stalker hey?
@BOG: Like I said, not your normal style … it’s all good.
@BOG: Based on relative ages of the schools then yes, towards the top with the likes of Muir, Wynberg, DHS, SACS, Dale, Queens etc…
@Gungets Tuft: Precisely why I am reluctant to use the “smiley face”. But as you should know me by now, with all my faults and shortcomings, arrogance is not one of them. I have on many occasions spoken of the absolute respect GCB has for all of their opponents, and Im sure, MC must be close to the top of that “list”
@Gungets Tuft: COB newsletter; http://www.joomag.com/magazine/mcoba-newsletter-issue-1-january-2014-volume-/0206843001391415068
@BOG: I find the use of “smiley’s” a lot like the line in movies where the jury is told to ignore the question. It doesn’t take away the implications, or the offensive nature of the comment, just removes the right to reply. In this case a reply was called for, but could never be the right one.
I am self deprecatory when talking about myself (I have little room for personal self deprecation – most of it is quite true), but I cannot – by definition – do that on behalf of my alma mater. However, College being (or at least that is the way I see it) rather old-fashioned that way, I seldom need to.
I am not offended, just making sure that the jury disregards the statement. I will assume no offence meant ….
@Gungets Tuft: If I did not add a “smily face”, (which is not my style) you would have reason to be offended.
@BOG: Shoo, that’s not normally your style …. having a bad day?
Since it doubles as a cricket scoreboard I am sure it will be able to display triple digits, but equally I know College would never be that presumptious when it comes to rugby.
Where is Gungets then this morning? Does the electronic scoreboard have anything to do with the new fixture this year? Im sure it can accommodate 3 digits with ease, even for rugby
@Grasshopper: I am not an old boy so not really in the loop with their plans. They did improve the stand along Jan Hofmeyer last year. Not sure if this was an Old Boy initiative. I think it might have been.
With regard to the BE, I am not sure that will ever happen for several reasons, space, cost and with the school already at about 1300 boys they cannot expand numbers easily. The logistics of doing this now may be difficult and I am not sure there is an appetite for it. JMO.
@Westers: when are you guys going to be doing your Old Boys stand, it’s been rumored for years? Also a proper BE, not just a couple of houses…
Westville and its Old Boys will be envious. But good on College for these fantastic improvements. Providing for a great future. Well done.
Nice, I think all schools are looking to improve facilities continuously. College are in a lucky position to have space! Westville, Glenwood and DHS are encircled by housing so no chance unless they buy surrounding houses…indoor nets look good :-)