A gala evening for our sports stars
It is time for Interschools in my beloved hometown of Paarl!
For those new to this tradition, let me give you a brief glimpse into its rich past. The Paarl Interschools derby began in 1915, when masters, schoolboys, and old boys came together for a single rugby match. This format continued until 1927, when it was decided that Interschools matches should feature only schoolboys. The current format was officially born in 1929. Can you believe this festival has been bringing local schools together for over 100 years? Now it is a week-long sporting tradition celebrating various sports like rugby, netball, hockey, golf, chess, and more. During this week, there will be functions and reunion get-togethers where old friends and foes will reflect on past glory days. Talk about a legacy of sportsmanship and friendly competition! It's a testament of how the power of sport can bring community together.
This year, the Giflo Group hosted a glamorous gala event to mark the beginning of this week-long celebration. What better way to kick off (excuse the pun!) this historic derby week than with a Gala evening of connection and community? The captains of various sports and their school principals came together, and I was honoured to capture the essence of this special night alongside my partner, Sandro Tasso.
Take a look at some of the images we snapped, and get ready to be inspired by these young sports stars! I'm so grateful to have been a part of this special evening and can't wait to see the impact these young leaders will make in the world.
Arrival in Style
Hosted by the Giflo Group at the stunning La Concorde building, we photographed the stylish sport stars as they arrived, with the beautiful iconic KWV building as the backdrop. The captains of the inter schools sports teams paired up and came together, looking sophisticated and united in their passion for sports.
Elegance in the name of Sport
The evening was pure elegance! The night began with refreshing drinks and delectable canapés (yes, I snuck a few!) in the Sensorium of the La Concorde building, where the sports captains mingled with each other, showing their appreciation for one another and discussing their sports. We managed to gather the Captains together for a group photo where they exuded poise, confidence, and heart. These leaders are shaping the next generation of change-makers!
Roodeberg and chef mynardt
The Roodeberg hall, with its rich history and beauty, was the perfect setting for this special evening. The elegant flowers, place settings, and symbolic medals for each captain added to the ambiance. I am always excited to see Chef Mynardt at any function I photograph, he is simply a genius! His passion and dedication to his craft are truly inspiring. We didn't manage to photograph any of his creations, but I did manage to take two quick portraits of him.
This gala evening was more than just a fancy dinner party (although, let's be real, it was pretty fabulous!). It was a celebration of unity, a reminder that we're stronger together, and a testament to the power of community. Let's keep shining our light, supporting one another, and lifting each other up. That's the spirit of Paarl Interschools, and that's the spirit of our local community. Cheers to that!
