21st King Edward VII School Easter Hockey and Rugby FestivalIt is with great pride and immense pleasure that I welcome you all to the 21st edition of the King Edward VII School Easter Hockey and Rugby Festival.
This festival has grown over the past two decades into a hallmark of excellence, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. What began as a celebration of schoolboy sport has evolved into a much-anticipated gathering of passionate players, committed coaches, proud parents, and loyal supporters from across the country—and indeed, across generations. It is a time when friendships are forged, rivalries are respectfully contested, and the values of integrity, discipline, and teamwork are brought to life on our fields and Astro.
To our visiting schools, thank you for accepting our invitation. Your presence here enriches the spirit of the event, and we are honoured to host you on our grounds. May your time here be filled with memorable matches, renewed friendships, and a shared love for the game.
To our parents, Old Boys, and supporters—your loyalty and energy breathe life into every moment of this festival. Thank you for standing behind our boys and for helping to create an atmosphere that is as welcoming as it is electrifying.
A special word of thanks must go to our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible. We are deeply grateful to Standard Bank, our naming rights sponsor, for their continued support of school sport and youth development. To La Roche-Posay Anthelios, Afrihost, Tiger Wheel & Tyre, our major sponsors and to all our sponsors—whether contributing in cash or kind—thank you for your generosity, partnership, and belief in the values we stand for.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my staff, our boarding establishment, and estate staff for so generously giving up their Easter weekend in service of this event. Your dedication behind the scenes ensures the success of this festival year after year.
To our Festival Committee—thank you for your hard work, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to making this a world-class event.
And finally, to the young men taking to the field—play with pride, courage, and respect. You represent more than your school colours; you embody the future of our great sporting tradition.
May this 21st edition be one of celebration, connection, and thrilling competition.Welcome to King Edward VII School.
Strenue.Warm regards,
Mr David Lovatt
Headmaster

Above: The KES team lists from the first Festival in 2002

Standard Bank is delighted to announce our partnership with King Edward VII School for this year’s KES Easter Festival. Our enduring collaboration with the KES Easter Festival reflects our unwavering commitment to the growth of this continent and its people. We have always recognized the immense value these partnerships bring to young individuals.At Standard Bank, we believe that everyone—every individual and every business—has the potential and desire to grow. Growth empowers, creates impact, and has the power to enhance all aspects of life: from financial to personal to community.Growth, however, is a journey. It begins with ambition, is strengthened by challenges, and driven by motivation. Most importantly, growth begets more growth. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote youth development. We acknowledge that sports and education are crucial in cultivating well-rounded individuals, fostering healthy competition, and encouraging teamwork for a prosperous future.We see ourselves as more than just a bank. Our goal is to unlock opportunities by building strong relationships that enable collective success.This spirit of teamwork and cooperation is what we aim to define our partnership with King Edward VII School an institution renowned for its distinguished history of excellence.We extend our best wishes to all the participating teams. By playing fairly, working diligently, and supporting one another, you will achieve success—not only for yourselves but also for your community and country.Thank you.
Tshiamo Molanda
Head, Youth and Mass Market PPB SA.