Hudson Park High School has cemented its place in the SA co-ed school sports landscape, after clinching eighth out of 310 schools on the Top Co-Ed Sports Schools for 2024 list released last week.
This is the first time Hudson Park High has achieved top 10 placement with 89.161 points which is just 22 points behind Western Cape’s Paarl Gimnasium who took first place.
Fellow East London school, Stirling High, was ranked 32nd followed by Cambridge High School at 69th.
This accolade is the result of the school’s exceptional performance across rugby, cricket, basketball, water polo, netball, hockey and soccer.
Head of sport Lwazi Zangqa expressed immense pride in the school’s accomplishment, highlighting the collective effort behind the achievement.
“We are extremely proud and excited,” Zangqa said. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our pupils, coaches and the entire school community. Being ranked among the top sports schools in SA is an honour and a testament to our commitment to providing a well-rounded, balanced education.”
Zangqa attributed the school’s success to several key factors.
“The improvement can be credited to the continued dedication of our coaches and the unwavering support from our athletic staff,” he said. “We’ve also placed a strong emphasis on fostering a culture of discipline, teamwork, and resilience among our pupils.
“This culture has inspired our athletes to excel across multiple disciplines, driving the rise in our rankings.”
Beyond the numbers, this recognition reinforces Hudson Park’s commitment to holistic education, blending academic excellence with athletic achievement.
“Being recognised as one of the top co-ed sports schools is not just about the ranking but about the values it represents,” Zangqa said.
“It reflects our focus on holistic development, encouraging learners to strive for excellence in academics and sports.
“This recognition enhances the school’s reputation, attracts top talent, and underscores the importance of physical activity and sports within our educational vision.”
Hudson Park is determined to build on this success, with plans to maintain and improve its standing in the rankings.
“We plan to continue investing in our sports programmes,” Zangqa said.
“This includes further developing our coaching staff, upgrading facilities and equipment, and creating more opportunities for pupils to compete at elite levels. Our goal is to nurture the next generation of athletes while continuing to uphold the tradition of excellence at Hudson Park.”
With their inaugural top-10 ranking, the school has set a high standard and a bold example for what dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to holistic education can achieve.
Here’s to Hudson Park High School — a school on the rise and a beacon of sporting excellence in SA.
