McGREGOR SOCIAL CLUBS
First Step Ballet was founded in 2014 by Mary Corpe Silver, who came to McGregor after an extensive professional career in the UK. A need for an afterschool and holiday activity programme was identified, and so the ballet classes began. It was through learning dance that the children became empowered, helping them to reach their dreams.
The children have learnt Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Singing, African Dance, Life Skills, Poetry, Drama and Literature. The company has been awarded many medals and cups for their performances and has been chosen to dance many times at the Baxter Fringe Festival.
On the 16 November 2024 First Step Ballet found its permanent home in the Symbulon Performing Arts Centre in Tindall Street, which celebrated an opening day filled with confetti, dance and song. The centre was purpose-built as a performing arts centre to provide the children of McGregor with a professional space to learn the art of dance, music and theatre.
First Step Ballet McGregor has instilled the children with self-confidence and self-esteem, teaching discipline, determination, concentration, time keeping, kindness to one and other, and the drive to succeed in whatever each child decides to do in the future.
FIRST STEP BALLET
The roots of the McGregor Rugby Club are deeply linked with the people of McGregor, as many of the players were born in McGregor and started their sports journey at the McGregor Primary School. The McGregor Rugby Club today is active in the district leagues. The following recount by ER Botha (1989) offers a glimpse into this world, noting how important and integrated the sport is and was in terms of village culture.
ER Botha:
One would never think that McGregor Primere has one of the best, if not the best, rugby team. It is no use talking about it if you do not get to know the players.
At the start of the match the captain, Mr Galant, first gives a stiff talk, together with Baumann our team is incomplete. The two fast wings are DJ Kraukamp and IW van Staden. In the fullback position we get TP Jordaan, who can turn the balls well. Then we come to our two stalwarts, props I. Jordaan and A. Munnik, who ensure that they press the scrum well. The two centres are P. October and CM Hull who pass the ball nimbly from the centre area. We can also boast one of the best loose halfs in SA and it is none other than ‘Naas’ (sister) CM Jordaan. Now, look, a kick is nothing for her. D. Fielies is our scrumhalf and close behind her is our shaker, S. Morris, who always gets the ball out of the scrum first.
Our eighth man is R. Hull who throws her full weight when it comes to the pressure of the scrum, because she can pressure. In the lineout we rely on J. Koenze and E. Arendorf who always make sure that we get the ball. With a referee like CM Fullard, we can't lose, because she is on our side.
McGREGOR RUGBY CLUB
The Hip-Hip-Hooray Circus Project started as a holiday activity in December 2021 and within three months grew into a full-time project, with daily training sessions and Master Classes in school holidays.
This multi-faceted platform allows children to explore their individuality in a gender-free, non-competitive environment, while learning essential social skills like teamwork, reliability, responsibility and commitment. It helps develop physical, emotional and social skills through play – concentration, coordination and confidence become the building blocks of each activity.
The circus relies entirely on donations and sponsorship. Its doors are completely open, and no child pays for training, excursions, food, equipment or any other expenses. Through the freedom of coming and going as you please, the child learns an inner commitment to that which feels good and right, without feeling pressurised.
McGREGOR HIP-HIP-HOORAY CIRCUS
McGREGOR CHESS CLUB
Led by the McGregor Primary School principal, Mr. Jones, and coach Mandall Matjon, the McGregor Chess Club offers a space for all ages to learn and develop their skills. The Club participates in district leagues such as the Cape Winelands and Boland chess meets, where members often achieve victories.
The beauty of it being all inclusive is what makes it a special activity within the village, as chess is a non-prejudicial game and what matters is the strategic thinking, planning and patience it takes to win the mind over the game.