Blackheath’s Shark

■ Blackheath junior rugby star Romario Karstens, pictured with his grandparents, Encelma and Andre Liedeman, has officially signed up with the Sharks Academy, based at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Romario will study to become a professional rugby player and sportsman, both on and off the field and potentially also broaden
his skills in coaching which he is excited about.

“I was ecstatic to be invited to join the Sharks Academy after being head-hunted at several local and national tournaments like the Craven Week and being chosen as man of the tournament helped me very much. I thank God, my school coaches, my parents and family as well as fellow teammates at Steinthal High School, in Tulbagh, for always pushing me to do better as the school rugby team captain, and will make them proud.”

Romario is one of only a handful of talented junior players who have been invited to undergo an intensive one-year foundation
course after which they can continue to specialise in various (rugby) sports disciplines and dreams of becoming a Springbok player, representing the national team in green and gold one day soon.