Chess devotee named a Sport Legend

GEORGE NEWS - A local chess stalwart received the accolade of being selected one of 26 Western Cape Sport Legends at the end of last year. Terry Quirk received the award from Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of cultural affairs and sport, at a gala event held at the Kronenburg Wine Estate in Paarl on 13 December.

Quirk took up chess in 1989, while living in Johannesburg, and quickly developed such a passion for the game that he was elected Captain of Play / chairman, a position he held for 12 years before moving to Sedgefield in 2008.

Here he joined the George Chess Club and has since played a substantial role in promoting chess in the district through starting a chess league, giving private coaching to children from the George and Knysna areas, and arranging tournaments in the Eden district. He has also been acting as Captain of Play in the George Chess Club for five years.

Quirk, who was the only person in the discipline of chess to receive the award, was nominated by George Swart, representative and technical official of the Eden Chess Union, and the nomination was supported by Peter Steyn, the head of Eden Chess Union. Quirk is happy and proud to have received the award, but privately shares it with his wife, Saskia.

"Without Saskia I simply would not have achieved this award. She has supported and worked with me and has been absolutely essential in my success," he says.

This was the 14th year that the Western Cape honoured individuals over 55 years old in identified sport codes who have contributed greatly to the development of sport in their communities, using sport as a powerful platform to bring about development and transformation. The Western Cape acknowledges them for working tirelessly, often in adverse circumstances, to build character, community and social inclusion.

n A 100-year-old equestrian from George, Frederick Brooker, was also awarded at the event and gave a very moving speech. Brooker has been instructing horse riding in George for the past 20 years, and still rides!

Quirk says his wife, Saskia, has played an essential role in his success.