SPORT AT HILTON COLLEGE

Recent News & Results  |  Arrangements & Teams

Basketball | Canoeing |  Cricket | Cross-Country
Golf | Hockey | Rowing | Rugby | Shooting | Squash
Swimming | Tennis | Water Polo |

Sports Administrator: Mr AC Shuttleworth

Basketball

Head of Basketball: Mr. Noel Robert
Basketball, according to FIBA rules, has been played at Hilton for more than a decade. Several prestigious tournaments have been held in the Sports Centre at the school.
Number of teams: Players are coached in 4 age groups - U14, U15, U16 and U19.
Matches: matches are played against most schools in the neighbourhood and beyond.
Facilities: 3 indoor courts and 1 outdoor court
Coaching: Provided by members of staff and several outsiders
Season: 1^st and 4^th calendar terms
National Representation: Kurt Hold (SA1997); Frank Chen represented the South African Schools' Under 19 team.

Canoeing

Head of Canoeing: Mr Evan Brown
Staff: Mr Francois Morgan, Mr John McMichael
Coach: Craig Mustard
(Assistant to the National coach in Pietermaritzburg)
Coaches every Tuesday and Thursday

Canoeing was started some 25 years ago at Hilton College and currently we have about 30 Canoeists in Summer and between 5 to 10 opting for Canoeing in Winter. We participate in an Inter-Schools League in Terms 1 and 4 which covers most of the Canoeing disciplines like Sprints, Flat Water Marathon, Slalom, Canoe Polo, Enduro and obviously River Paddling.

Our senior paddlers also compete in KZN Canoeing Union races, usually on Sundays and many paddle big races such as the Fish, Duzi, 50 Miler, Umkomazi and the Drakensberg Challenge. Boys can join our sport in January or after the Winter sport season in September. We train on Deeside dam on Tuesdays, Camps Drift on Thursdays and compete in Schools races on Saturdays and KZN Canoeing Union races on Sundays. In winter, we frequently use Midmar dam for training as well. Our top 7 paddlers compete in the weekly Duzi Dice on Thursdays at Camps Drift as well.

Click here for the Canoeing Club Website

Cricket

Head of Cricket and 1st XI coach: Tony Richter
The school has a rich tradition of cricket in its 131 years of existence.
Currently the school accommodates 547 boys who are all boarders.
Facilities: The school is fortunate to have 8 cricket ovals:
(6 turf wickets and 2 mat wickets). There are 8 turf nets, 8 astro turf nets and 1 indoor cricket net. The main cricket oval is the Jack Hart-Davis Oval and is a picturesque ground overlooking the rolling hills of the midlands in the background. This oval is the second oldest in KwaZulu-Natal, after the Kingsmead Oval. This Oval is fortunate to have an electronic scoreboard which was kindly donated by Old Boys' of the school.
Teams: Currently 17 cricket teams play each Saturday:
Open (5), U16 (3), U15 (4), and U14 (5)
Fixtures: The school plays fixtures against Michaelhouse, Maritzburg College, St Charles, Durban High School, Glenwood, Northwood, Kearsney and Westville. The 1st XI annually attends the Private Schools Cricket Festival as well as the Michaelmas week. The 1st XI play a two and a half day game against Michaelhouse in the 1st term.
Season: Cricket is played during the 1st and 4th terms of the calendar year. The Master-in-Charge and the 1st XI Coach is Tony Richter who is assisted by 15 staff members, 2 students and 1 cricket professional, Bruce Roberts, the former Transvaal and Derbyshire player. The coaching fraternity is extensively involved in Midlands and KwaZulu-Cricket. Paul Guthrie has coached KwaZulu Natal teams at the U15 and U19 level in recent years. He is also a selector, along with Bruce Roberts, for the Midlands region. Currently Paul Guthrie is the SA U 17 Cricket Convenor and Tournament Director.The school has always had a strong representation in South African and KwaZulu-Natal Cricket at all levels.
Highest Individual Score: N.S Crookes (1954-58) 222 vs Michaelhouse
Six Not out Centuries: In 1960, six Hilton College boys, in their matches against St Charles, scored a century " not out". The boys were: K.E Wimble (1st XI 136*) DLH Baldwin (U15A 115*) PG Barnard (U15A 107*) NA Hodgson (U15B 102*) MJC Proctor (U14A 167*) K-K Johnson (U14A 108*)
Some of the most famous names are:
RA MacLean (SA 1951-1965)
MJ Proctor (SA 1966)
JHB Waite (SA 1951-1965)
D.W.Crookes (SA 1994)
The school has produced a number of South African Schools representatives (18) and over 150 Khaya-Majola Coca-Cola Week (Nuffield Week) caps. The most recent SA Schools representatives being:
D.R. Gain (1995 captain)
D.W.Crookes(1988)
G.D.Jones (1994)
R.J.Varner(1986)
J.R. Schorn (1999, 2000)
K.C Africa (2002) - SA Colts XI
Annually the school is well represented in KwaZulu-Natal teams at U18,17 and 15 level.
Some other recent achievements are:
K.C. Africa (2003 South Africa U19);
G.C. Simpkins (2003 South Africa U17)
PL Mommsen (2005 South African Schools U 18)
R McMillan (2008 KZN Dolphins )

Click here for Cricket Match Details and Stats

Cross-Country

Head of Cross Country: Mr. Silva Pillay
Facilities: Numerous courses on the school estate: 4 km; 7.5 km; 10 km; circular drive.
Number of teams: 2 Junior teams (U15); 2 Senior teams (U15).
Fixtures/matches: Inter-School league;
Zonal/Midlands Championships; Inter-House.
Coaching: Warm-up sessions and runs on the estate
Dress/colours: Black shorts with black & white vests.
During the 1997 season two boys were selected for the Midlands team.

Golf

Head of Golf: Marion Vlok: Golf Administration
Staff: Mike Todd: First Team Coach (WGTF Qualified)
Facilities:

• 350m Driving Range with distance markers
• Short game practice facility for pitching, chipping and bunker play
• All weather synthetic practice putting green (Officially opened by Gary Player on Sunday 15 October 2006)
• Innovative practice drills and skills tests

Golf at Hilton has grown significantly in the last couple of years, which is in line with the tremendous growth in junior golf worldwide driven by Tiger Woods and in South Africa, the success of Ernie Els. There are currently more than 100 active golfers and more than 20 boys have single figure handicaps. Golf is offered as a mainstream sport during the First Term, second Half of the Third Term and in the Fourth Term. We have decided not to offer golf as an ‘Opt’ sport whereby boys play golf only, however if players meet certain performance criteria, they have the option to be considered to play golf full time.

The coaching is underpinned by PEP (Performance Enhancement Programme) which is held weekly for senior (Under 16 and above) and junior (Under 15 and below) boys. Once a player joins this programme he is obliged to meet certain commitments on the grounds that there is significant demand to be on the programme. Our programme aims to teach players to understand the fundamentals of their OWN golf game, how to use specialist practice drills and covers the five main aspects of the game. This includes a life skills element. Our coaching philosophy is influenced by leading golf teachers and academies, notably Rudy Duran, Ken Rose, Earl Woods, the Australian Institute of Sport, David Leadbetter and the World Golf Teachers’ Federation.

PEP aims to provide the boys with a structure that should help them to achieve their potential, provided they are prepared to demonstrate the key qualities of Attitude, Belief, Commitment and Discipline – cornerstones of the programme. Boys who are not on the PEP programme have the opportunity to play weekday golf at local courses, play in Order of Merit events if there is space and take private lessons (at their own expense) from local pros.

The main events and tournaments on the calendar are:

• Pietermaritzburg Schools’ League
  – First Team and Second Team
• Douglas Cup (Ryder Cup type event) against Michaelhouse
  – Top 12 golfers
• Dainfern Schools Championship - Two teams of 4
• The KZN Inter High Schools
• The St. John’s International Schools Tournament held at Sun City – Team of 4
• Stayers versus Skinners Challenge
• Senior and Junior School Championships over 36 holes
• Sunday Order of Merit events
• Senior and Junior Inter House Long Drive Competition
• Form 1, 2 and 3 Revised Stableford event
• Inter-house Golf

Recent achievements:
National / Provincial Representation in 2007
KZN U23 – Giles Hedley
KZN U19 – Giles Hedley (Captain) and Craig Andrew
KZN Schools ‘A’ – Giles Hedley, Craig Andrew, Garth Gerber, Arthur Horne
KZN Schools ‘B’ – Nick Rowlinson
Swaziland Men’s Team – Arthur Horne

Summary of 2007 Results:

• Second in the PMB Schools’ League.
• Successfully defended the Douglas Cup Trophy against Michaelhouse at Bosch Hoek.
• Hilton ‘A’ Team won the KZN Inter High Schools Tournament at Royal Durban.
• Third in the Affies Tournament in Pretoria.
• Top South African School and 8th overall at the World Schools’ Golf Challenge in Auckland, New Zealand.
• Joint second in the National Schools Final at West Bank Golf Club in East London.
• Hilton ‘A’ Team won the KZN Schools’ Championship at Cotswold Downs.
• Top KZN School and 10th overall at the St John’s International Schools’ Golf Tournament at Sun City.

Giles Hedley has been offered the opportunity to attend the University of San Diego, a Division 1 College. Here he will be working closely with head men’s golf coach, Tim Mickleson (brother of US Tour professional, Phil).

Hockey

Head of Hockey: Gavin Thomson
Number of teams: 3 Open teams, 3 U16 teams, 3 U14 teams
Facilities: An Astroturf pitch, good grass hockey fields, and an Indoor Sports’ Centre for skills training and indoor hockey; strength training gym as well.
Playing Colours: White and black
National Representatives:
Matthew Fairweather (Captain SA U17A)
Gregg Drake (SA U17A)
Karl Oftebro (SA U16A)
Dominique Scott (SA U16A)
Ben Mbana (SA U21)
Coaches: Top provincial coaches include Gavin Thomson, Mike Mill.

Hockey Newsletters

Rowing

Head of Rowing: Mr E. Steenkamp
Facilities: Boathouse at Camp’s Drift
Boats: 8 Scuffs, (3 more on order), 3 Quads; 1 Four; 3 Doubles; 1 Eight being refurbished, and 1 new John Waugh Eight Fleet to be upgraded extensively within 6 months
Fixtures/matches: All in Gauteng; view details on www.regatta.co.za
South African Schools Championships, the biggest event.
Coaching: Mr. Greg Gearing an ex Springbok
Season played : First and Fourth quarters
Colours: Black and white

Rugby Head of Rugby: Tony Richter (Craven Week U 18 Coach 2007, 2008) 1st XV Coaches: Tony Richter; Brad Anderson Administrator: PK Ramnarain Facilities: 6 rugby fields, the main field being used solely for rugby and having a covered pavilion. Number of teams: 19 teams from U14, U15, U16, U19 age groups. Fixtures/matches: Matches played on Saturdays. All teams playing in 11 fixtures per season. Coaching: Each team has a coach. Season played: During the winter - 2nd Quarter and half of the 3rd quarter.

Colours/dress: 1ST XV white shorts and jerseys, rest of teams in black & white striped jerseys. Recent Springboks who are Old Boys: Gary Teichmann, Wayne Fyvie, Hentie Martens and Bob Skinstad - Captain (also selected as a Springbok 7's player.)

Shooting

Head of Shooting: Mr. Dave Hammond
Facilities: 12 Butt, 10 and 25 metre range. School provides rifles, ammunition and all basic equipment. Air rifles are used according to international (Olympic) 3P (three position) rules and practice. Both “Springer” and “Sporter” (compressed air-powered) rifles are used. Indoor shooting will begin in the near future.
Number of teams: In inter-school competition, one Open and one Junior side. (4 boys to a team + 2 reserves)
Fixtures/matches: Weekly against other schools in peak season; annual inter-House; periodic inter-school group shoots; 2 x annual inter-district, and annual Provincial bisley (for those selected). S.A. National competition for those chosen for a provincial team. The S.A. Schools side competes against a foreign team usually once each year.
Coaching: Mr. Dave Hammond
Season played: All year round but mainly end February onwards; peak April to September.

Squash

Head of Squash: Mr. Deon Scheepers (Summer)
and Ms Karen Almond (Winter)
Facilities: Six squash courts
Number of teams: Squash is normally played in 3 age groups :U14, U16 and U19. School matches usually consist of 6 teams (A + B in each age group) of 5 players
Choices: Boys may choose squash as a main sport but teams are often made up of players who also play other sports. Boys are therefore encouraged to also play squash as a second sport.
Matches: The school teams also enter the local Pietermaritzburg leagues and at present have teams playing in the winter league. Many boys also enter the various individual championships organised by the KZN Sc. Squash Association and in this way can gain Natal Schools representative colours.
Coaching: Provided by members of staff. At present a professional coach is available to help individuals with their game.
Season : Squash is played throughout the year.

Swimming

Head of Swimming and Head coach: Mr Tony Shuttleworth (Professional coach and former Provincial and National representative)
Assistant coaches: Peter Ducasse, Brad Anderson, Mike Werth, Andrew Douglas, Ashley Dixon.
Teams: ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams (approximately 100 swimmers)

Training: The swimming team trains two mornings and two afternoons a week, with an additional technical session on Fridays and a Gala on either a Wednesday afternoon, a Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Additional coaching: Swimmers at Hilton College who wish to go further in swimming can do so through a Swimming South Africa registered Club which trains at the school.  Coached by Tony Shuttleworth these swimmers are catered for to the highest level of competitive swimming in South Africa.
Season: The swimming season extends throughout the majority of the 1^st term for swimmers who compete for the school alone.  This season ends with the SA Schools meeting in March.  Swimmers who compete additionally in events outside of school galas start their season in May and end in April.
Galas: School swimming mostly involves relay team events for each age group with a relay being swum in each of the four strokes including the medley relay and a freestyle ladder relay.  Some gala’s, however, do include individual events.  Individual events are also swum at our Inter-House Championship, regional and provincial trails as well as at the South African Schools Championships.   Each season the swimming club also enjoys some fun Co-Ed galas in which we combine with different girls schools to make a team.

The annual top galas for the Hilton College teams are:

• The Midlands Gala vs. Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse, St. Charles, Weston and Treverton, Carter.

• The Independent Schools Gala vs. Keasney, Clifton, Michaelhouse and St. Charles.

• The KZN Top 10 Gala vs. Westville, Kearsney, D.H.S., Clifton, Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse, Glenwood, Northwood and George Campbell.

Other events: The Hilton College Swimming Club also competes in two popular local open water events the Capital ‘K’ in November and the Midmar Mile in February.  Approximately 40 of our swimmers compete in each of these events.
Facilities: 25 metre heated pool, with covered stand, 8 lanes with anti-surge lanes, with starting blocks, 1 metre and 3 metre diving boards with diving well, all swimmers have access to kick boards, paddles and pull buoys. A ‘Health & Fitness’ Club (range of strength training equipment)
Colours: Black and white
Kit: A Team - Black TYR racer, white silicone cap, Pacer racing goggles, black Hilton College towel, representative t-shirt with black sleigh sleeves and collar, black shorts with 2 white stripes, Hilton College tracksuit.
B and C team – black brief, black silicon cap, white t-shirt, black shorts with 2 white stripes, black Hilton College towel, Hilton College tracksuit.
Achievements: The Hilton College swimming club is currently ranked in the top 5 in KZN.

Individuals:

• Tim Ferris(2007) is a current member of the Zimbabwean Olympic squad and medalist at the South African Age Group Nationals.  He is also a member of the SA National Training Centre.

• Calvin Lane (2006) is a current member of the Botswana Olympic training squad.

• Rubin Cloete (2008) is a medalist at the South African Age Group Nationals.

Tennis

Head of Tennis: Ms Kathleen Schroeder
Facilities: 6 all-weather, hard courts; 2 ball machines.
Season played: Throughout the year.
Fixtures/matches: The school plays inter-school fixtures on Saturdays in the 1st and 4th terms. Other leagues entered include:
Term 1: Denness Open league
(Winners of the A and B Leagues in 2007)
Term 2: Doubles league
Term 3: Bonnefinn U/14 Trophy; Natal Witness U/16 Trophy
A number of social fixtures take place annually and includes mixed doubles tournaments and matches.
The Interhouse Tennis Challenge takes place during the third term. Individual championships are contested in the 3rd term at senior and junior levels.
Tournaments and tours: Hilton College has, recently, begun to attend the Marilie Moolman Tennis Tournament at Cradock. A local tour is also undertaken annually. Selection for touring teams and tournament squads is based on rank.
Coach: Mr Dave van Wyk
External coaching: Spier Tennis Academy presents weekly squad training and also offers individual coaching - which needs to be arranged privately with the Spier coach. Boys selected for the Hilton College Squad are invited to attend a weekly Midlands Squad training session at Kershaw Park on Friday afternoons.
Coaching: Tennis players are required to attend two coaching sessions per week.
Dress: Black shorts and white tennis squad shirts are required for fixtures. Coaching may be attended in black and white kit.

Water Polo

Head of Waterpolo:
Mr Brad Anderson
Coaching Staff:
Mr Tony Shuttleworth
Mr Peter Ducasse
Rev. Kevin Robertson
Mr Mike Werth
Mr Andrew Douglas

Facilities: Heated 25m Swimming Pool with attached Diving Well which
converts into a 30m Waterpolo Pool.
Number of Teams: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, U16A & B, U15A & B, U14A & B
Fixtures and Matches: Matches, on Saturdays, are against the top Waterpolo playing Schools in KZN. In addition, select players are entered into the Midlands Waterpolo League. The senior team, excluding matrics, plays in the 1st division and the junior team in the 2nd division. League matches are on a Tuesday evening at the UNPmb pool.
Season Played: 1st and 4th Terms
South African Representatives – Recent Players included
S McKenzie – SA U16A (1999)
S Jennings – SA U16A (2000)
R Daly – SA U16B (2000)
R Jans – SA U15B (2001)
J Geldenhuys – SA U16 (2001)
R Grant – SA U16 (2002)
D Jans – SA U16/U17 (2004)
T Beare – SA U19B (2007)
K Moyes – SA U19B (2007)