Published 03 September 2009

To all participants in the Classic Race 2009

Dear fanciers

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the Classic race of this year has run its course and that it was a great success. This is due largely to your support as pigeon fanciers, for which we thank you heartily and for the co-operation of the Classic Club members. As always happens in a first attempt, there were instances where we could have done better but we have taken note of these lapses and foresee an even greater and better organized event in 2010.

The funds raised at the auction together with the sale of post-auction rings were earmarked for prizes and were paid out to the winners of the race, the balance being employed for improvement of the sport. As some of you know 50% of that balance is being used to fund to Pigeon School Project, where lofts are erected at suitable schools in order to interest the learners in pigeons and pigeon racing. We are convinced that this will create a passion for the birds in the young folk, steering them down a positive road away from the negative influences of teenage pregnancies, drugs, crime and gangsterism. A similar project has been run in the USA with good results and I believe that we will have even greater successes in SA with a similar programme.

The list of prizewinners is attached to this letter and I wish to congratulate all the winners. To those that were not successful this year, there is always next year and we invite you to try again. It’s a fact that not everyone can win but its also a fact that the wheel keeps turning. Who knows but that it will be your turn to win first prize next year. New members are also invited to participate either as breeders of pigeons, buyers of rings or birds, or as trainers for someone else. It’s a great competition to be in and eventually it's …… all for a good cause.

To those wishing to become part of the Classic of 2010, I invite you to contact any of the following;

Lou de Jager loudejager@absamail.co.za or 083 442 4903

Andy Kruger andrew.kruger@wol.co.za or 083 272 9464

Mike Scott mpscott@webafrica.org.za or 076 877 8562

Wim Peters wpeters@iafrica.com or 021 – 852 4852

Dr Wim Peters

Chairman SWICC