Heritage@Herschel Girls School

Sport at Herschel

Since it’s inception in 1922, sport at Herschel has a dynamic and successful legacy. Throughout 90 years, not only has the variety of sport offered at Herschel evolved but the coaches and the prestigious facilities have too, enabling the girls to reach their full sporting potential.

The first headmistress, Miss Ralphe (1992-1933), encouraged sport than rather a purely academic education. She sent to girls to St.James to swim in Herschel’s very own bathing box. She took boarders hiking up mountains as well as encouraging a positive attitude towards competitive sport, win or loose. In 1939 the first swimming pool was built.

Mrs Robinson (1933-1944) initiated the sports fields, which were predominately for hockey. These were extended during Mrs Mclean’s reign (1947-1962). This undoubtedly gave Herschel’s sport a great opportunity to flourish. In 1955 the gravel was transformed into grass in order to accommodate this soon to be hockey field. Land for this was acquired from ‘The Hill’. ‘The Hill’ was purchased from the late Mr Jerrold Wilks. Hockey had developed to such an extent that overseas tours were taking place. The first tour was in 2001 to Australia and the most recent took place in Malaysia in 2007. In 2011 this field was transformed into an astroturf known as ‘The Field’. Much is still to be achieved on this field.

The first team of 2011 participating in a hockey tournament

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

During Mrs Duff’s reign (1986-1997), the theatre was built and replaced three out of seven tennis courts. This lead to Herschel having to use the tennis facilities situated outside the school, which are still used today. At this time the summer sports offered were only tennis and swimming and the winter sports were only hockey and netball. Today Herschel offers nine summer sports, including aqua aerobics and waterpolo. In winter there are six sports to be played, including touch rugby and cross-country. At the end of Mrs duff’s reign, the Sports Centre was built and officially opened by Professor Tim Noakes. The Sports Centre accommodates netball; basketball; indoor hockey; squash and various other sports.

In 1990 Peter Morelli- after which the prestigious ‘Morelli Cup’ was named, introduced waterpolo. This was the start of a triumphant waterpolo career for Herschel as we are currently the highest ranked team in the Western Cape. The first team used to train at the Newslands pool until Mrs Van zyl (1997-2007) decided it would be best to build a new pool in 2006.

The waterpolo first team of 2011- preparing for a match against Wynberg Girls' High school

Various awards are given each year at the annual sports dinner, which is hosted in the Mary-Jagger Hall. It is not just the girls with the outstanding sporting achievements who are awarded; many awards are presented to those who show dedication, effort and spirit on the sporting field. Besides trophies for each individual sport, which are donated by previous pupils who excelled in a particular sport, there are also general trophies. The Leadership Trophy was donated by the sports captains of 2005 to any girl in a position of leadership who has shown an ability to inspire, motivate and engender team spirit. The Pickup Trophy was presented in 2003 by Cheryl and Jacqui Pickup for all rounder participation in sport. The Hannah Trophy is awarded to any girl in the school who has achieved honors in a school sport through dedication amounting to the most outstanding achievement of the year.      

True "H-Factor" spirit- Herschel girls supporting the first team hockey team play against Springfield Convent

Did apartheid affect sport at Herschel? Although under the Apartheid government, Herschel did accept people of colour to be educated and to partake in sport, as Herschel was a private institute. In an interview with Mrs Helen Botha, the director of sport at Herschel for over 30 years, she stated that she had only seen an impact of segregation in sport at provincial and national level after the Apartheid due to Sport Quotas.

Sport at Herschel has undoubtedly shown the development of women in society from the traditional role as housewife to independent individuals. Fortunately Herschel’s first headmistress, Miss Morley A Ralphe, encouraged ever girl to partake in a sporting activity. This included the European-influenced sports such as badminton and tennis, which abided to the lady-like 1920’s way of living. Cricket was offered as a school sport until 1962, which reiterates a strong European influence. The girls were not looked down upon by boys’ schools but rather enjoyed playing friendly sports with one another.

On 5 December 1922 the first tennis court was built. Later the sport grew and more tennis courts were needed which led to more courts being built on 2 February 1924. On this day, Herschel played a friendly game of cricket with Western Province Preparatory Boys’ School and sadly lost.

Herschel's tennis courts in 1988

                                                                                                                                                                                       Herschel sport has not only produced many well-known sport stars such as Paula Dollam, who was the U18 hockey player of the year in 2008, and several other Springbok representatives, it has also taught the girls many lessons. These include teamwork, determination and friendship. Representing Herschel on the sports field is an honor- past, present and still to come.

Authored by Georgina Buchanan and Sophie Mitchell