MTBS

Last updated

MTBS
GenreSchools athletics
Date(s)February
VenueCape Town stadium and Green Point Athletics Track (Athletics)
Country South Africa
Years active30
FounderFrans du Toit
Previous event8 February 2025
Next eventFebruary 2026
Participants2,000 (athletes and students on pavilion)
Attendance12,000 (Spectators) [1]

MTBS is an annual interschools athletics competition held between four high schools located in Bellville, Western Cape. It was created by the late Frans du Toit, a retired teacher from JG Meiring High School in Goodwood and a part time sports journalist. [2] The competition is mainly an athletics meeting and includes cheerleading and flashes. [1] These schools are: D.F. Malan High School, Tygerberg High School, Bellville High School and Stellenberg High School. [3] The name is a derived acronym from the names of the schools in that order. The first MTBS took place in 1994.

The flashes consist of each school showing their images while sitting on the pavilion. [4] This performance consists of a medley of songs during which the pupils create a "human LCD screen" on the pavilion. This is achieved by the students opening and closing their school blazers at unique pre-determined moments, with each student functioning like an individual pixel and thus allowing images and animations to be displayed. Other parts of the school uniform (such as dresses and socks) may also be used, but no other props (such as cards) are allowed. Each school' adheres to a specific theme that has been chosen by that particular school. The annual attendance is an estimated 12,000 spectators. The athletics and flashes are attended by the whole community. The event receives coverage by South African newspapers Die Burger, Tygerburger and Rapport. It has also been broadcast on national television channel SABC 2. [1] Similar events exist: most notably in South Korea.[ example needed ] Different athletics items take place throughout the day; including short distance sprints, long distance running, hurdles shot put, javelin, long jump, discus, high jump, triple jump and relay races. Two athletes from each school take part in an event, adding up to 8 athletes in each event.

Points are rewarded as follows:

Awards for each age group are rewarded at the end of the day.

Athletics:FlashesBest Spirit
1994DF MalanDF Malan
1995DF MalanDF Malan
1996BellvilleStellenberg
1997BellvilleStellenberg
1998DF MalanDF Malan
1999DF MalanStellenberg
2000DF MalanDF Malan
2001DF MalanStellenberg
2002DF MalanDF Malan
2003DF MalanBellville
2004No CompetitionBellville
2005TygerbergNo Competition
2006DF MalanBellville
2007DF MalanDF Malan
2008DF MalanBellville
2009DF MalanStellenberg
2010DF MalanStellenberg
2011DF MalanStellenberg
2012DF MalanStellenberg
2013StellenbergStellenberg
2014StellenbergStellenberg
2015StellenbergNo Competition
2016StellenbergNo Competition
2017StellenbergDF MalanDF Malan
2018StellenbergStellenbergDF Malan
2019StellenbergDF Malan & BellvilleDF Malan
2020StellenbergDF MalanDF Malan
2021No CompetitionNo CompetitionNo Competition
2022BellvilleNo CompetitionNo Competition
2023StellenbergStellenbergNo Competition [5]
2024StellenbergDF MalanNo Competition [6]
2025StellenbergStellenbergDF Malan

From 1994 to 2016, there were only 2 categories (Athletics and Flashes) in the competition. (excl. 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016) [7] The Athletics cup is awarded to the school with the highest total score, according to the scoring system. The winners of the Flashes and Best Spirit categories are independently judged. If a school wins both, it is called "double gold". In 2017, the Best spirit category was added. If a school wins all three categories, it is called "triple gold". This has only been achieved once by Stellenberg in 2023. [8] [9] [10]

Times won :

SchoolAthleticsFlashesBest Spirit
DF Malan15104
Stellenberg11131
Bellville36
Tygerberg1

Double gold :

SchoolTimes
DF Malan6
Stellenberg6

Consecutive wins :

SchoolAthleticsFlashes
Stellenberg86
DF Malan72
Bellville22

References

  1. 1 2 3 "MTBS Info". Official DF Malan Website. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Frans du Toit: A Tribute". 2 June 2009.
  3. ↑ "We chat to all 4 MTBS schools ahead of the massive event" . Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "All cylinders firing for MTBS showdown" . Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Awsum MTBS 2024 Edition by AWSUM News - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Awsum MTBS 2024 Edition by AWSUM News - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  7. ↑ MTBS Booklet
  8. ↑ Arrangements made by participating schools
  9. ↑ MTBS History
  10. ↑ "Awsum MTBS 2024 Edition by AWSUM News - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
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