Seen here (from left to right): Dalan Oliphant and Kayla van der Bergh.
Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg
PUMA South Africa has welcomed five junior track & field stars, Garrick Rees, Miandi Van Staden, Kayla van der Bergh, Dalan Oliphant and Lehlogonolo Ramokgopa as PUMA Future Stars for the duration of 2020 after they caught the attention of the leading sports brand during the 2019 PUMA School of Speed Series.
Launched in November 2016, the PUMA School of Speed Series is committed to the development of athletics talent in South Africa by discovering the fastest young Speedsters.
“The PUMA School of Speed Series exceeded our expectations in 2019,” said PUMA Marketing Director Brett Bellinger. “The series continues to grow in popularity resulting in an influx of athletes lining up ready to go #ForeverFaster. We are excited to welcome Garrick Rees, Miandi Van Staden, Kayla van der Bergh, Dalan Oliphant and Lehlogonolo Ramokgopa as our 2020 PUMA Future Stars. In addition to representing the brand, they will have access to PUMA’s elite running ambassadors who will be on hand ready to offer guidance on and off the track. We are proud to continue growing the exhilarating sport of track & field and look forward to exciting racing at the 2020 PUMA School of Speed Series.”
A student at Curro Hazeldean (Silver Lakes / Pretoria), Garrick Rees proudly admits that Mo Farah is his sporting hero. “Being chosen as a PUMA Future Star for 2020 is the highlight of my athletics achievements so far,” says Rees. “One of the biggest brands in sport, PUMA is known for its quality. The PUMA School of Speed is an awesome initiative that allows athletes from around the country to show their potential. My goal for 2020 is to run PB’s in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 3000m”.
“I love the atmosphere at the PUMA School of Speed Meetings,” says Miandi van Staden (Potchefstroom Gimnasium / North West Province). “I am proud and honored to represent PUMA. It’s a great brand and I love wearing it. My focus is on 100m and 200m. My sporting hero is Allyson Felix, because she is passionate about her religion (Christianity) and is a breathtaking athlete. My goal for 2020 is to represent South Africa at the IAAF World U/20 Championships.”
According to Kayla van der Bergh, a student at Klerksdorp High School, the PUMA School of Speed is a highlight of the year. “The best of the best wear PUMA including Usain Bolt. I feel honored that an amazing brand like PUMA chose me to be part of their team and family. I cannot wait to perform to my best and show everyone out there that I am a PUMA girl. My focus is on the 100m hurdles, 200m and 100m sprints. My sporting hero is Zeney van der Walt. She is humble and has always been a great friend to me. She inspires me to reach higher goals. In 2020 I want to qualify for the World Junior Championships where I’d like to obtain a medal.”
“My Idol, Usain Bolt, is a PUMA ambassador and that is why I love the PUMA brand,” says Dalan Oliphant (Wesvalia High School / Klerksdorp). “The PUMA School of Speed is a great platform for any athlete to be able to compete against the best in South Africa. I wish I could compete in all the PUMA School of Speed Meets. My focus will be on the 100m and 200m. My goal is to become the U/17 SA Champion in both these events while I am still U/16.”
According to Lehlogonolo Ramokgopa (Prestige College / Kempton Park), as a brand PUMA is attractive to the eye and very stylish. “The PUMA School of Speed gives us a field where we can display our love for the sport and show off our
skill. In addition to building the sport, it also helps in terms of sport recognition. My focus is on long jump and hurdles. It goes without saying that my sporting heroes are Luvo Manyonga and Ruswahl Samaai for long jump and for hurdles that would be the world record holder Aries Merritt. My goal for 2020 is to stay healthy and qualify for the IAAF World U/20 Championships.”
EVENT INFORMATION: 2020 PUMA School of Speed Series
Headed by the World’s Fastest Man Usain Bolt, the PUMA School of Speed Series was launched in 2016 with the goal of identifying exceptional young South African athletes who believe that their future is #ForeverFaster.
| Event, Date & Venue: | PUMA School of Speed #1:
Date: Wednesday 22 January 2020 Venue: Dal Josaphat Athletics Stadium (Paarl) |
| PUMA School of Speed #2
Date: Saturday 25 January 2020 Venue: Ruimsig Athletics Stadium (Johannesburg) |
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| PUMA School of Speed #3
Date: Monday 27 January 2020 Venue: PUK McArthur Athletics Stadium (Potchefstroom) |
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| PUMA School of Speed #4
Date: Saturday 08 February 2020 Venue: University of Mpumalanga (Mbombela / Nelspruit) |
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| PUMA School of Speed #5
Date: Saturday 29 February 2020 Venue: Bestmed Tuks Athletics Stadium (Pretoria) |
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| Entry Fee: Athletes | NO COST to enter the event
Please Note: Athlete entries close two days prior to each event. |
| Entry Fee: Spectators | R20 / adults
R10 / children Pay as you enter the stadium. |
| Events: | 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump, High Jump, 100m Hurdles (Boys 15, Girls 17 & 19 only), 90m Hurdles (Girls 15 only) and 90m Hurdles (Girls 15 only) and 110m Hurdles (Boys 17 & 19 only) |
| Age Categories: | U15, U17 and U19 |
All entrants will stand a chance to be scouted and contracted to the PUMA Squad. The contract will be for the duration of one calendar year.
Like our Facebook page: School of Speed South Africa
Instagram: @schoolofspeed
For further information on the PUMA School of Speed Series please contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045, via email info@schoolofspeed.com or visit www.schoolofspeed.com
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