adminthe elite Borrowdale school has been working with Vainona High and this has seen some of their coaches attending coaching courses funded for by the college, helped with rugby kit and transport for the teams to fulfil their games.
But it is this year that St John’s College upped their commitment in making sure that Vainona rises and comes up to the standard it was in the 80s after they embarked on various projects to uplift the standard of sporting facilities at Vainona.
At least 30 rugby players are understood to have moved from Churchill to Vainona and this was credited as the biggest reason why Vainona did so well at this year’s edition of the Cottco schools rugby festival.
According to St John’s College website, they have revived the borehole watering system that will be used especially for watering the rugby fields, repaired the mainline hydrant while repairs to the tractor and lawnmowers are underway.
“In the meantime St John’s has sent a tractor and lawnmower to Vainona to cut the grass on the main field. We are also going to pay for two rugby coaches to lift the level of rugby being played there. St John’s have also paid for the rugby coaches at Vainona to do the IRB Level One coaching course and have donated sports equipment which includes 30 rugby balls, 100 cones, used hockey goal posts and repainted four sets of rugby poles,” read part of the statement from St John’s College.
But these are not the only projects that the Rams are undertaking at Vainona High as they have several others lined-up for the year that are estimated to cost over US$180 000.
It is hoped that by the end of the year, St John’s College would have installed a main pipeline so that the main field can be watered and this is expected to be a US$6 000 project and there is a further US$18 000 for the purchase of another tractor and lawnmower as a spare for the old ones that are presently in use.
However, the biggest investment that St John’s College are expected to set at Vainona is the refurbishment of eight tennis courts which are all defunct with the largest chunk of the funds — US$152 000 — expected to be directed to the tennis project.
“In November, we would like to purchase instant lawn and plant this on the whole main field, total refurbishment of the boys and girls change rooms and toilet/shower facilities and purchase of a small pick-up truck so that we can make regular visits to the school for maintenance.”
Online Reporter