Curro Podium South sets new benchmark for school athletics
27 October 2025Over 1 400 young athletes gathered at Dal Josafat Athletics Stadium in Paarl for Curro Podium South – a two-day showcase of speed, strength, and school spirit. The event drew primary and high school learners from across the Western Cape and stands as the largest scholastic athletics meeting ever hosted in the region.
‘Curro’s difference lies in balance,’ said Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager for Curro Sport. ‘We’ve created an environment where academics and sport push each other to greater heights. Events like Curro Podium showcase this philosophy in action – giving young athletes a platform to compete at the highest school level. Our goal is not merely learners, but well-rounded individuals who excel across every aspect of their potential.’
Photo credit: Gerrit van der Linde
Primary schools lead the way
The primary school edition introduced athletes aged 7 to 13 to structured competition, where they competed for both individual and team honours. Durbanville Primary School, Gene Louw Primary School, and Courtrai Primary School delivered standout performances.
Top individual results included:
- Best Boy Field: Stefan Strydom – NAPSO
- Best Girl Field: Laliq Adams – Individual athlete
- Best Boy Track: Martus Schoeman – Durbanville Primary School
- Best Girl Track: Lisa Krige – Durbanville Primary School
Star performers take centre stage
The high school edition featured some of South Africa’s brightest athletics talents. Jayden Fourie (Hoërskool Outeniqua) leapt 7.62 m in the U17 long jump, only 2 cm short of his personal best. He also impressed in the 100 m, clocking 10.53 s in his heat. ‘I'm coming for that 8-metre mark,’ he said.
Michaela Spocter (Meridian Pinehurst) cleared 1.75 m in the U17 high jump, narrowly missing her Podium record of 1.81 m. Mila Ueckermann (Hoërskool Stellenbosch) extended her dominance in the discus, throwing 53.76 m to surpass her previous best of 52.99 m — the distance that earned her African gold in Nigeria.
From the track, Miche van Staden (Curro Durbanville) continued her fine form, winning both the 100 m (12.51 s) and 200 m (25.28 s) following her bronze medal at the ASA Schools National Championships.
Photo credit: Gerrit van der Linde
Team and individual honours
Results were determined by both individual ASA points and team rankings across U15 to U19 age groups.
Team awards:
- Best Boys’ Team: Paarl Gimnasium
- Best Girls’ Team: Paarl Girls’ High School
- Best Combined Team: Hoërskool Outeniqua
Individual awards:
- Junior Track Athlete (Male): Jeno Jacobs – Paarl Boys’ High School (931 ASA points)
- Junior Track Athlete (Female): Liesa Kruger – Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool (952 ASA points)
- Junior Field Athlete (Male): Ethan Bernado – Individual (966 ASA points)
- Junior Field Athlete (Female): Cara-Mia Nel – Paarl Gimnasium (956 ASA points)
- Senior Track Athlete (Male): Jaydon Fourie – Hoërskool Outeniqua (934 ASA points)
- Senior Track Athlete (Female): Cubin Martinussen – La Rochelle Girls’ High School (916 ASA points)
- Senior Field Athlete (Male): Jayden Fourie – Hoërskool Outeniqua (1000 ASA points)
- Senior Field Athlete (Female): Mila Ueckermann – Hoërskool Stellenbosch (1000 ASA points)
Photo credit: Gerrit van der Linde
Looking ahead to the Grand Finale
The Curro Podium Athletics Series continues to grow as a national platform for emerging athletes. Northern and Southern regional qualifiers will meet again at the Grand Finale on 13 and 14 February 2026 at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane.
‘Every record broken, every personal best achieved, every young athlete pushing beyond their limits, this is why we do what we do. South Africa’s sporting future is bright, and it starts right here,’ concluded Cindy.