A warm hello and hi there to everyone

I did mention last week that my interest in the World Cup had waned after only two of our matches….well, my attitude has changed, as after 4, we now have at least gained a point…and that was only because out match was washed out against the Windies…but that said….I really do believe that we will possibly be a thorn in the side of not just the other teams and their supporters, but of the bookmakers that have now spread their bets on the outcome of the tournament….so I wish our boys all the best for the rest of the festival..I realise that we can’t win it….but we can definitely dent the ego of a few countries and their supporters…. so let us see, with another 4 weeks to go…let us support our boys for the rest of their campaign, I definitely will be…not with the same oomph and gusto if we were title contenders, but with a patriotic and sophisticated aplomb….my Protea fire may only be a spark, but it could just ignite a bonfire…keep watching this space… We had a great evening on Friday, with the Joker draw and super Karaoke evening of fun…Vince Marvel was most surprised at his name being drawn from the beeeeeg black box….he really thought that I was joking when I looked at him when I called out his name….and he sort of disbelievingly approached the Joker cabinet….with that sheepish smile on his face that he possesses…and dutifully waited for his photo to be snapped away, before he assessed…pondered and then pointed to his choice, top right corner…..which Glenda turned over, to show him that he had drawn the 4 of diamonds…and albeit he was not a winner, he was beaming from ear to ear that he had finally been chosen as a possible joker winner…so the draw climbs to R55325, and the number cards available drops below 50 now….so please come along this Friday to try your luck…I would love to see you there…..Our Karaoke evening proved to be a super evening…with some unexpected support coming from a late finishing rugby seminar…where we found some budding new talent available…some new songs…lots of new singers….and a most enjoyable evening….looks like next time we have a Karaoke evening, it should be barrels of fun….this week we welcome back Eben, who unfortunately fell sick the day before he was due to perform at the North the last time, hopefully this week both us and Eben will enjoy some better luck…he will evade the dreaded Lurgi… and we will be able to enjoy listening to his talents….Our soccer boys returned another reasonable weekend….bringing home 4 points out of a possible 6….the reserves started off at a sprint an raced to an early lead, but a combination of sloppy defending and poor finishing, meant that with 10 minutes to go, we were floundering at 3-2 down…the boys needed to show some real tenacity to come back and equalise….and then may have been a touch unlucky not to be awarded a penalty on the stroke of full time…but all is not lost, we remain in second place two points behind the leaders….the first side was in excellent form, overpowering their opponents in every facet of the match…running out easy 5-0 winners….this week is the massive return match of the Benoni derby…as we host the club from “down the road” and we are expecting a huge crowd for the match…so make sure you arrive early if you are wanting parking near to the Club house…and a good supply of cold beer…. Our rugger buggers maintained their dominance over Kempton Park…this time away from home, which is a positive on its own….the second side bringing home the laurels 24-19…whilst the first side match was a lot more one sided,  running out victors 55-21…this weekend is a bye for all the sides….a weekend off for the teams, to enjoy with family and friends…have a great break…next week is the big one for us….Nigel at home…I know the coaching staff and players alike are wanting to put one over this side…who have been in a dominant position over us for the last few years….Last weekend was the big one for most of the runners in ours and their running calendar…..it was the major trek from Benoni to Durban….to partake in the annual Comrades Ultra Marathon, between the two largest cities in KZN…some call it the Ultimate race….and I watched in absolute amazement at all the athletes showed their skill and endurance in tackling this epic challenge….from the leaders to the back markers, all these athletes are winners….with masses of hurdles to overcome….some physical…some natural….some natural… some psychological….some real….others perceived….and each runner faced them and passed the test…..to each and every of our runners that are proudly wearing and displaying their medals well done…to each of those finishers…there is web of support that enabled them to face and complete this challenge….. a massive thank you to the family, friends and supporters that made it possible for each of charges to wear a 2019 medal…..and now the whole dilemma begins….will I do it next year?On Sunday this weekend we celebrate the day of the Father….so on behalf of all at the North, committee and members of staff alike, I would like to wish all those amazing men…a happy Fathers day….I hope that you are spoiled and treated to a special day with your loved ones….I must say that I have been blessed with a my first grandson in the last week….and as much a privilege it is to be called Dad, to hear that I am now going to hear the name Gramps too….is going to make my heart leap with joy….so from a father…Cheers to all those wonderful children out there who make their Dad proud every day….Anyone who has been at the North recently will see that there is a hive of activity in and around the old Athletics office and store room, which is being transformed into a pizza take-away and coffee bar…we believe this will be a welcome addition and will hopefully prove to be popular with all Members both young and old….there is a competition running to name this new addition….please see the link contained in the newsletter for entering this competition….good luck to all the entrants….I am sure that some something innovative and quirky will be the result….Soon another addition will be seen at the Club…as we unveil our new caravan, which will be used as a mobile all around the property in the future….this will also be regaled in the North colors…keep your eyes open for its arrival…..it is imminent…. We will soon be having our draws for the 100 Club…this competition has not proved as well accepted and received by the Members as the cash generator as we would have liked, but we have sold sufficient tickets to cover the proposed prizes….so all the draws will be completed after the Joker draw on June 28….your chances are hugely increased because of the reduced number of tickets sold, so please buy a ticket quickly to ensure that you have a chance to participate in this draw….That is all for this week….please remember to email any comments and complaints to me at rod.scheepers@gmail.com I hope to see you at the Derby or over the weekend sometime…remembering that Monday is a holiday and the pub will be open from 10 to enjoy a tipple while you watch the World Cup cricket or some ladies World Cup Soccer….or maybe even watch the mens FIH World series Hockey finals in India….(where one of our own Jet Eustace is representing the Proteas).Take care. Rod

Benoni Northerns Naming Competition!

Something exciting and new is happening at Northerns and we want your help! Beady eyed members may have noticed a wee bit of construction going on in the Beer Garden lately, and come 01 July 2019, we will have a new pizza and coffee cafe up and running to serve our members as well as a new mobile drinks bar in the form of the caravan to alleviate some of the bar traffic.

We are running a competition to choose the names of both the pizza/ coffee cafe and the mobile drinks bar. Submit your entries by clicking the link! The winners will each be awarded a R250 Benoni Northerns voucher! You can enter as many times as you like! Winning names will be chosen by the committee and will be contacted directly!

ENTER HERE

     

Vincent Marvel (Social) drew the Four of Diamonds – Joker Draw a turnover at R55 325.00 for Friday 14th June. 

   

To be drawn on Friday 28th June at 19h45 after the Joker Draw on the night

   

Comrades 2019 saw 5 our of members awarded their Green Number, 4 awarded their Double Green, 28 received their back-to-back medals and 19 finished their first ever Comrades! Well done to everyone! We are so proud of you!

A huge congratulations to the following Benoni Baseball Major A boys who have been selected for the Senior National Elite Training Squad in preparation for the Euro-African Olympic Qualifers:  Rowan Ebersohn, Anthony Sayers, Tyler Croft and Damon King.  Well done boys.. 

Senior Football @ Northern Areas “A” Field