Drummies has been a sport at Hottentots-Holland High School, HHH as we are affectionately known, for the past 40 years and the teams have always excelled.
In 2015 the Drummies achieved 1st place in the Western Province and 3rd place at Nationals. In 2016, the team maintained their number one place in Western Province and rose to second place at nationals. Our goal is once again to achieve the highest results in the 2017 season.
“Our children come from Metro East areas as far as Kuils River and Grabouw. They also come from socially challenged areas such as Macassar, Lwandle, Nomzamo, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Strand and Eersterivier. Most are from single parent homes and must commute with public transport for up to an hour to get to school. They are faced with drug abuse problems, alcoholism, violence and disease in their communities. These learners mostly attended previously disadvantaged primary schools and have been uplifted by attending Hottentots-Holland High School.
“Our school has many learners, including drummies, who have legal exemption from school fees due to their personal financial constraints” explains Darryl Spijkers, one of the trainers, who are not remunerated in any way.
They spend hours of coaching and planning out of passion for the sport and love for the girls.
The sport at HH has turned over 2 000 young girls into ladies under leadership of its first coach, Karin Verster, South African drummies ‘Hall of Fame’ recipient. Although retired from teaching, Ms Verster remains the trainer of HHH.
Often called the ‘School with the Heart’ – the passion for the code is evident when you watch HHH perform and this is why they were able to clinch first position in small drill and flag group at the first Western Province competition on Saturday.
The second Western Province competition will be held at HHH on Saturday March 4 from 12 noon to 4pm, where the HHH Drummies and other teams will be in action as they gear up for national championships in Durban in July.
