Rugby

Northwood School is proud to offer a thriving rugby program that provides opportunities for our students to develop their skills, build character, and form lifelong friendships.

Led by Director of Rugby, Mr. Jeremy Mclaren, our rugby department is dedicated to providing a supportive and challenging environment for all players. In 2022, we had 16 full teams, with our players competed in a total of 211 games throughout the season. With an impressive record of 106 wins, 99 losses and only 6 draws, we are committed to setting even higher goals for the future.

Importantly our rugby program is about more than just winning. We prioritize the development of servant leadership and brotherhood amongst our players, and believe that rugby is a tool to teach important life lessons that will stay with our students long after they leave Northwood School.

In 2022, we had several students represent KZN in various rugby competitions. Two of our students played in the Academy Craven Week, three students represented us in the Grant Khomo Week, and three more played in the Grant Khomo B Week. Additionally, three students represented us in the KZN 7’s for u17.

We are excited for the upcoming 2023 program and can’t wait to see what our students will achieve on and off the rugby field.

Director of Rugby
Mr Jeremy Mclaren

Hockey

The Northwood hockey program is value based. The boys are held accountable to deliver the very best standard of hockey on the pitch while at the same time remaining true to the values instilled off the pitch.

Our boys thrive under the guidance of our enthusiastic coaching staff. Our coaching staff is highly motivated and only want the best for our men in blue and white. “Japan” is a motto we live by. This means that we aim to leave the place in a better space than we found it.

We are fortunate to have some state of the art facilities on our premises which allows the boys the best opportunity to play at the highest level. We have recently done some renovations to our Astroturf. We have installed a new dugout as well as numerous other beneficial upgrades that will benefit the growth of the sport. The 1st XI hockey room, which is in close proximity to the field, is a special space in which our boys are able to prepare for each game as well as reflect after the game. This is also an important space for character building and forging long lasting friendships.

Our permanent hockey staff are a power house within KZN hockey. They expose our boys to principle based coaching but ensure that they are kept abreast with the latest trends in the modern game. We encourage the professional development of our coaches which in turn benefits our boys. Our technical hockey team has a passion for the game and always encourages growth on and off the pitch. The boys are monitored carefully through data tracking and video work to ensure consistent player management over the year to prevent unnecessary fatigue.

Our coaching staff and boys make a formidable team who certainly fly the Northwood Flag high.

Cricket

Whether you’re a junior player just starting out or a seasoned player looking to improve your skills, Northwood Cricket has a program that is tailored to your needs. Our value and process-driven approach ensures that every player is given the opportunity to develop their game in a positive and supportive environment.

Under the leadership of Mornantau Hayward, former Proteas player and current Director of Cricket, our coaching staff is dedicated to helping every player reach their full potential. From technical skills to mental toughness and game strategy, our coaches provide the guidance and support needed to excel on the field. Our facilities are second to none, with well-maintained fields and state-of-the-art equipment that provides the ideal setting for players to hone their skills. And with a stunning view of the Indian Ocean as a backdrop, Northwood truly is a special place to play the game.

But it’s not just about the training and facilities. At Northwood, we pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. We believe that cricket should be enjoyed by everyone. That’s why we offer programs for players of all levels and why we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.

Along with Shaun Pollock, Northwood is proud to have produced many provincial and International players, with Keshav Maharaj recently being selected for the South African Test team, our latest addition to that list.

Director of Cricket
Mr Mornantau Hayward

Waterpolo

At Northwood Water Polo, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced player or just diving into the sport for the first time, our program is designed to help you excel and embrace the exhilaration of water polo.

Our dedicated coaching staff is passionate about the sport and committed to helping you reach your full potential. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the pool, providing expert guidance and personalized training to help you develop essential skills, tactics, and strategies.

As a member of Northwood Water Polo, you’ll be part of a close-knit community that values teamwork, respect, and camaraderie. Our players form strong bonds both in and out of the pool, supporting and encouraging one another on their journey towards success. The friendships forged here extend beyond the water polo arena, creating lasting connections that will accompany you throughout your life.

We take pride in our state-of-the-art facilities, which provide the perfect backdrop for your water polo journey. Our well-maintained pool offers the ideal setting for training sessions, matches, and competitions. We also organize regular team-building activities and social events, fostering a sense of belonging and creating cherished memories.

At Northwood Water Polo, we believe in celebrating achievements. Our players have made their mark at regional levels, representing our program with skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Join us and embrace the challenge of water polo, as you unlock your potential and discover the joy of competing at your best.

Whether you’re seeking an outlet for your competitive spirit, an opportunity to improve your fitness, or a chance to be part of a dynamic community, Northwood Water Polo welcomes you with open arms. Dive into a world of excitement, growth, and lifelong friendships. Come join us and make a splash at Northwood Water Polo!

Director of Aquatics

Mr Scott Mantle

Basketball

Basketball is a growing sport within the country, continent and across the world. The Northwood basketball program has a goal of maximising each young man’s potential on and off the court, providing avenues for opportunities beyond high school, and raising the standard of the sport within the country. In the last few years, the program has re-established itself as a force to reckon with throughout the country with 300+ participants annually, from Grade 8 – Matric.

The program is guided by a structured basketball development curriculum focused on breaking the game down to its simplest principle on offense and defence. The programmatic curriculum levels include: Junior level, Senior level, Technical level, Leadership & Mentorship level, and Coaching. Each level has an overarching focus on creating a culture of adequate preparation, accountability and execution.

In-season practice and fixtures takes place during 1st and 4th term while PE and off-season trainings take place during 2nd and 3rd term. Northwood basketball is all about the mental and physical growth of each player. By personalizing the basketball experience with the player-coach relationship, we create a team environment that is conducive for everyone’s growth. Let’s raise the bar together!

If you have any questions about helping us grow the program through sponsorship or partnership please contact the our Director of Basketball.

Director of Basketball,
Mr Douglas Nedab

Soccer

The Northwood Soccer program is the biggest among KZN boys schools, fielding 36 teams in 2022.

We pride ourselves in being able to create a space for all our boys to participate in and enjoy the beautiful game.

From the boys who just want to play with their friends and those who want to take their soccer to the next level after school – everyone boy will make a team and receive appropriate coaching and guidance for their level.

In 2022 we had 8 KZN represenatives across the age groups, with 3 our players being selected by KZN Football to go on an overseas tour to Germany and the Netherlands.

We are particularly passionate about finding pathways to the next level of the game for our most taleneted players.
There is a noticeable gap for players who graduate from high school with football prospects, but have nowhere to pursue a career in the sport.

We work tirelessly behind the scenes to try and create links for our boys with academy club sides, as well as universities in South Africa and abroad.

We are proud to report that in 2022, 4 of our former 1st Team players ended up in overseas universities on soccer scholarships, while our captain for 2022 was signed to the reserve team of one of the biggest clubs in South Africa.

Year on year we continue to strengthen our links with universities and academies, as we create endeavour to create more pathways for our boys.

Director of Soccer

Mr Mini Khoza

Volleyball

Our volleyball program offers a range of opportunities for students of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned player, we have a place for you on one of our teams. Our practices are designed to improve your technical skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness, and we compete against other schools in the region to challenge ourselves and hone our abilities.

Director of Volleyball
Mr Mini Khoza

Golf

Northwood offers three teams for our students to participate in. Our program focuses on instilling discipline, respect, and enjoyment in all of our players. In the past year, we played a total of 35 games and won 20, drew 8, and only lost 7.

Over the past two years, our golf program has grown substantially, with boys from juniors to seniors playing well as a unit and enjoying the game. Our 1st team placed 3rd in the A league, our 2nd team placed 3rd in the B league, and our 3rd team, which played amongst some of the other schools’ 1st teams, performed exceptionally well, placing 2nd in the C league.

We currently play all of our home fixtures and practices at the esteemed Beachwood Country Club. Our golf program runs in the 1st and 3rd term, with fixtures happening on Monday afternoons after school and practices taking place on Tuesday afternoons. Join us in our passion for golf and be a part of a thriving community of golfers at Northwood School South Africa.

Softballl

We are proud to offer a fully committed softball program that provides a fun and engaging opportunity for our students. As of 2022, we had three teams that participated in the KZN school league every Friday afternoon, and our boys had an absolute blast.

Most of our boys were beginners when they joined the program, but with the help of experienced coaches, they grew in their skills and total enjoyment of the game. Our softball program is headed up by Mr. Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who is passionate about cultivating a love for the sport in our students.

In the past season, we played a total of 15 games, winning 8 and losing 7, and these numbers will continue to grow as our boys enjoy being out on the field with their mates and giving it their all week in and week out. Our u15 boys finished 3rd in their league, our 2nd team finished tied for second, and our 1st team finished 2nd in their league. We had some amazing games this past season and won some crucial ones.

We had a total of 7 KZN representatives, and we are looking to increase that number next year. Our ethos in softball is to ensure everyone has fun and feels like they are part of something special, while also emphasizing discipline and respect for our teammates and opponents.

Come join us in our passion for softball at Northwood and be part of a thriving community of players who are committed to having fun and growing their skills on the field.

Tennis

We offer a comprehensive tennis program run by Wayne Arde, a professional tennis coach with over 20 years experience. The programme is is designed to cater to players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players

Tennis has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with more and more students joining our teams and participating in local and regional competitions. We believe in a student-centred approach to learning, and our tennis program is no different. We work closely with our players to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and we provide personalized coaching and training to help them reach their full potential. We recently undertook a major renovation of our tennis courts, offering a professional sporting facilities for our boys to practice and play.

We are proud to have produced several KZN representatives over the years, and we are committed to helping our players achieve their dreams of competing at the highest levels of the sport.

Our tennis program is in the 1st and 3rd terms, with fixtures happening on a Wednesday afternoon after school and practices happening on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

If you are passionate about tennis and are looking for a program that can help you grow your skills and achieve your goals, we invite you to join us at Northwood School to be part of a thriving community of players who are dedicated to excellence and a love for the sport.

Squash

Squash is a growing sport at Northwood. Our home turf is Northwood Crusaders which is a few kilometres off campus. We cater for a wide range of abilities, from total newcomers every year, to those who have taken on the sport from grade 8 and have developed their skill on the court. Squash provides really good fitness for the boys, especially for the boys who play hockey. There’s often an overlap between squash and the winter sports, but working together with all involved in the sport department, we work together to ensure the boys are able to participate in both squash and another winter sport. The boys have a lot of fun on the court but work hard on improving their skills. It always amazes me how our boys improve from one season to the next.

Cycling

Cycling offers learners the opportunity to visit and ride all over the country. Since its introduction, Northwood has done extremely well. Some of the achievements over the past few years include winning the KZN Spur Schools MTB Series as well as winning the Inter School Eliminator Series (ISES) in KZN.

The entire Northwood Cycling Team has shown a tremendous amount of dedication and persistence throughout the seasons with more and more boys waking up to watch the sunrise over the ocean while cycling through Durban.

Surfing

Northwood has a large number of social surfers that make their way to the beach on a Friday afternoon. However, the sport has become increasingly competitive and we have many students that spend a great deal of time in the water and who compete in provincial and national competitions. School surfing falls under Surfing South Africa and we have a National tournament every year to decide on the best surfing school in SA.

Northwood School is the current KZN Schools Surfing Champ and has been for the last four years. We have a history of producing some of the top school surfers. In 2017 we had the Top Junior SA School surfer, Bevan Willis who captained the SA Junior Surfing Team, with many other boys having represented KZN at various age-group levels.

Chess

At Northwood, we believe that chess is more than just a game – it’s an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking. Our experienced coaches are committed to helping our students become not only better chess players but also better thinkers and decision-makers.

Our chess program offers a range of opportunities for students of all skill levels. Our coaches are dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential and improve their skills, and we regularly compete against other schools in the region to challenge ourselves and hone our abilities.

Currently Northwood are the reigning Durban and Districts Chess Champions and look forward to a competitive season ahead.

E-Sports

At Northwood, we believe that e-sports are more than just video games – they are a legitimate competitive sport that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork. Our experienced coaches are committed to helping our students become top e-sports competitors while also developing important life skills like communication, leadership, and critical thinking.

Our e-sports program offers a range of opportunities for students of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gamer, we have a place for you on one of our teams. Our practices are designed to improve your technical skills, game knowledge, and teamwork abilities, and we compete against other schools and teams in the region to challenge ourselves and hone our abilities.

So if you’re looking for a school that values e-sports, teamwork, and personal growth, Northwood School is the place for you. Join our e-sports program and become a part of our community today!

Athletics

Through our athletics programme, boys gain skills that can best be acquired on a court, track, or field. Learners from all age groups get an opportunity to try out athletics in the 1 st and 4th term. It all starts with Inter -house athletics where talent gets recognised and from there onwards the boys compete in inter – school events. A few of our boys competed in February 2023 in the Aquelle inter -school events at PMB. From there they competed in their district, provincially and finally on a national level. Northwood also recognises the boys on their achievements yearly. Most recently Reagan Reyneke received his honours blazer award for making KZN athletics in discus as well as Veeshan Govender for his 400m track event.