Classic Clashes safer with mouthguards

In a bid to make the FNB Classic Clashes safer, organisers of the annual event will give each of the  rugby players mouth guards which will be worn at all rugby matches.
Dr. Pieter Coetzee from MAX Mouthguards gave a presentation during the launch of the FNB Classic Clashes recently to illustrate the necessity of wearing mouth guards in contact sports.
He said that not only do mouth guards protect the teeth, but they also act as a buffer when the youngsters receive a bump to the head. The mouthguards have also been known to be effective against more serious injuries in cases of a possible head trauma.
The mouth guards are tailor made for each rugby player and are of the best quality in the world. They are used by some of the world’s top rugby players.
Meanwhile, organisers say the top three schools that exhibit their school’s spirit by inventing a dance routine for the FNB Classic Clashes song that will be performed during half time at the different matches, will be awarded with some prizes while the Namib Mills hero and the FNB Player of the Match will also be named after each match.

There will be 21 FNB Classic Clashes matches this season of which nine will be soccer matches. Rugby and netball will see competion in seven and five matches respectively. The first game will take place this Friday in Keetmanshoop when Suiderlig Secondary School take on JA Nell in a soccer match.
The final match will be between Academia and Augustinium in netball on 20 September in Windhoek.
The FNB sponsored Classic Clashes initiative has grown over the past five years. From having a mere seven Clashes involving 14 schools, mainly in Windhoek and at the Coast, the competition has now grown to 42 participating schools from Gobabis, Stampriet, Windhoek, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi, Otjiwarongo and Ongwediva.