STATUS: 2020 Racing Season - Update: Curfew and Pigeon Racing

14 July 2020

To all Club Chairmen

Further to my communication yesterday on the challenges to Pigeon racing caused by the imposition of a 9.00pm curfew I have had quite a number of suggested solutions proposed by fanciers. One proposal has exceptional merit with very limited downside and this is the proposal suggested by Gavin Thompson which I favour and it will work for all the Clubs I surveyed. We will therefore adopt this proposal for at least the first three race weekends and possibly the 4th Race weekend. Other proposals can be better accommodated when we deal with the longer races but 4 weeks takes us to the backend of August when the curfew may in fact be relaxed.

The plan adopted for racing the first 3 race weekends is to basket at say 2.00pm on Saturdays starting at Durban North and Port Natal Clubs as usual with 2 trucks and proceeding to DRPC and back via Pinetown, HHC and PMB. We should have the trucks back in PMB by about 7.00pm for loading and for them to go on to Ladysmith. As Drivers and Conductors have permits they are not affected by the curfew. The race liberation time on Sunday morning will be such that the birds receive a watering before the race liberation.

It would make sense for birds that come in from outlying areas be watered at the hub club they are sent to before being loaded on the trucks. This plan means that no pigeon fancier should fall foul of the curfew, we follow the same pattern of basket unloading and loading and very few people should be inconvenienced by having to take time off work as that time of the day traditionally fanciers are waiting for pigeons to arrive on Saturday afternoons. There is little downside to the plan that I can see.

Clubs that are struggling for membership or due to the over 60 year protocol may need to consider basketing their birds at a bigger club in close proximity. This will speed up the collection process particularly as separate liberations of Yearlings will add significantly to the work load on fewer under 60year old members.

To get into the groove of Saturday basketing I have changed the Van Reenen training toss from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 19th July to accommodate the curfew for the same reasons as the race programme.
The Truck will load birds in PMB at 12.00 noon on Saturday 18th July and proceed to HHC at say 1.15 pm be at Port Natal club at say 2.15 pm (PRPC members have agreed to basket their training birds at either HHC or Port Natal for this toss) then go to Durban North at say 3.15 pm and to DRPC at say 4,30 pm and then back to PMB by say 6.30. Birds to be watered in PMB overnight in PMB and leave at 5.00 am for Van Reenen where they can be released about 8.00 am or so subject to weather conditions.

I am indeed grateful for all the inputs received from fanciers in dealing with the many challenges we have had to face this year to get our season off the ground. I believe we have a good plan going forward and am now more confident in looking forward to a descent racing season.

Regards
Reg Zammit
KZN Combine Chairman

STATUS: 2020 Racing Season - Curfew and Pigeon Racing

13 July 2020

To all Club Chairmen

2020 has been a difficult season to organize but has become even more complicated with the Presidential announcement last night of a 9.00 pm to 4.00 am curfew. Only persons returning from work or in a medical emergency or are Medical/Secutity personnel may be permitted out after 9.00 pm. This adversely affects our basketing for races on Thursday nights as the trucks frequently get to clubs well after 9.00 pm. We need to find a solution to this problem if we are to have a racing season. Relying on Sanpo is not a solution the solution is in our hands. If we cannot find a solution then it could mean we will not be racing this season.

I will not condone acting unlawfully by ignoring the Corvid 19 regulations and taking a chance as the repercussions for individuals and our Combine Executives can be serious. The only serious solution I can see is starting basketing early on Thursday like at 2.00 pm at the first drop so that the trucks can get to PMB before say 8.30 pm for loading. Whether this is practical or feasible is the question to be answered. Basketing on a Thursday and then the trucks come on Friday morning to Clubs to collect could also work but only for the short races. This will involve Club members being at the clubs to load the trucks as the Drivers cannot do the loading and will be isolating themselves in any case inside the cab so as not to be at risk of infection.

Please respond to this email as soon as possible with your views as to an appropriate solution or alternatively if we do not have a solution then consider aborting the race season.

We are still considering Van Reenen for a training toss this weekend so we might experience a dry run on early basketing as a possible solution.

Regards
Reg Zammit
KZN Combine Chairman

STATUS: 2020 Racing Season - Combine Sponsorship

10 July 2020

To all Combine Members

We are still actively working towards the 25th July 2020 as our first race weekend even though we have not as yet received the official go ahead from our mother body SANPO.

The Corvid 19 situation has left a trail of economic destruction for many businesses and individuals alike and it goes without saying that many Pigeon fanciers are feeling the pinch at this time. The KZN Combine continues to enjoy a strong balance sheet with significant cash reserves and if there ever was a time for the Combine to help its members then the time is now.

Accordingly the Combine will make a R 100,000 available to its member clubs as a sponsorship to assist Club members who are flying a scheme this year. The sponsorship will not be a cash transfer but will be in the form of a credit on what the Club/Fed will owe the Combine in transport fees. If we do not race for any reason then the sponsorship falls away.

The sponsorship is only available in respect of members who are flying a scheme and is based on R1000 per flying member if he flies both routes and half of that if he flies one route and pro-rata if he only flies Yearlings or Open birds. At this stage all flyers are registered with the Combine in respect of their schemes and it will not be possible for members who were not flying to suddenly register a scheme to benefit from the sponsorship.

Please note that the Combine has already made concessions to certain members due to financial hardship, to Old Age Pensioners, Juniors and first time flyers and so none of these categories of members will qualify for this Combine sponsorship.

The Combine will still be in a strong financial position to meet its financial needs in the 2021 Racing season.

Good luck for the 2020 season

Regards
Reg Zammit
KZN Combine Chairman

STATUS: 2020 Racing Season - Plan B Race Programme

2 July 2020

To all Members of the Combine

I have at last received the final confirmed birdage figures for the Plan B Race programme along with numerous requests from many clubs for separate liberations of the Open birds and the Yearling birds. I would like to thank the Clubs for their quick response in confirming the new figures. I have factored in separate liberations in accommodating the baskets on the two trucks. On analysis we can accommodate all the pigeons on the West route with a few spare baskets on the Open Bird section of the truck. The Yearling section is totally full.

The North route is a different story with some 732 birds too many for the North truck split approximately one third Open birds too many and two thirds Yearling birds too many. Instead of cutting back on the number of birds we have come up with a solution that should accommodate all the North birds for all the clubs. The CSN Combine has made their trailer available to the KZN Combine which comfortably baskets 1000 pigeons and so we will be able to have a race with separate liberations on either side of the truck and trailer.

We anticipate a 30 minute difference in the liberation times for the middle distance and longer races with a longer period between liberations for the short races.

Our planning is still for the 25th July for the first race with a Van Reenen or Harrismith training toss on the 18th July however at this time we still have not had the official green light from Government or SANPO that we can cross inter-provincial borders or even race. There is a lot of work to be done to sort out new sets of baskets now that we are racing Yearlings and Open birds from one truck and Truck and trailer so I will need your co-operation to get spare baskets from some clubs so they can be reallocated to other clubs. As far as the trailer is concerned logistically we can issue duplicate baskets to the Durban /Maritzburg region including Port Shepstone and Zululand Clubs but it will not be possible to send duplicates to the Northern zone clubs as they already have Truck baskets in place. We project that about one third of the baskets for the Durban/Maritzburg /Zululand/NPS clubs will be on the trailer and two thirds on the truck.

Please note that Corvid protocols will require deep sanitizing of clubs before basketing and adherence to the normal protocols for washing hands /sanitizing/wearing of masks and social distancing. In addition the preclusion of over 60 year olds from basketing will place an enormous burden of work on the rest of the members and the separate liberation of birds will mean that we will have double the basketing done by maybe a third of the normal complement of club members. I hope that that is sustainable. I foresee delays in the whole basketing logistics with the drivers sitting waiting at clubs for extended periods. Clubs that normally get picked up first or second may want to start basketing earlier than in previous seasons.

Good luck with the training of the birds.

Regards
Reg Zammit
KZN Combine Chairman

STATUS: 2020 Racing Season - Plan B Race Programme

17 June 2020

To all Combine Members

I had a discussion last night with Shane Gerber Vice –President of SANPO. He has confirmed that Pigeon Racing can take place at the earliest the 11th July 2020 or thereafter provided that the birds get at least 4 weeks of pre- season training. He also confirmed that the training of pigeons is now legal with immediate effect and if you require cross provincial border tossing you can apply online and get an immediate permit by reply.

Accordingly I am pleased to advise that the KZN Combine will proceed with its Plan B programme with the first race starting on 25th July 2020 with a Van Reenen/Harrismith toss being offered by the Combine on the 18th July. Should there be a demand for a Tugela Plaza/Ladysmith toss in the week before the Harrismith toss the Combine would gladly consider it.

As advised previously the Race programme distinguishing feature from previous years is that we will be racing Open birds and Yearlings on the same truck and out of the same race baskets but will be recording separate races for each category of pigeons. This will obviously require two separate Race Entry sheets for Open birds and 2019 Rung birds entering the Yearling races. Please find below a link to a copy of the official race programme for 2020 as well as the adjusted cost for transport fees for the shortened programme. These fees are essentially last year’s fees (with no increase) less 30%.

There is a lot of work to do before the first race but the most important logistical item is for all clubs to confirm their birdage requirements to Steve Leigh as soon as possible but certainly by next week. All clubs are asked to please supply me with their inventory of baskets they hold in their clubs along with the identity numbers /letters on each basket. This is urgent information because it will not be possible to retrieve those baskets at this time but arrangements will have to be made to move surplus baskets from one club to another where they are required.

As an example this year we have Newcastle flying in the Combine on the North route and Pongola has dropped out so the task will be to get these baskets in Pongola to Newcastle. Your co-operation in this regard is important and is in your Club’s best interests if we are to avoid a potential “bugger up” and the frustrations that will inevitably result on race nights.

Another important issue is that all Clubs will need to have COVID 19 policies and protocols in place and practice them to avoid a situation where default may lead to the Club not being permitted to fly until it is fully compliant with the set regulations.

I thank you for your co-operation in advance and look forward to both a successful and enjoyable race season 2020.

Plan B Racing Programme

Flying members Birdage - 2020 Fees Adjusted Short Season Fees

Regards
Reg Zammit
KZN Combine Chairman

STATUS: 2020 Racing Season

18 May 2020

The KZN Combine is currently awaiting information from its mother body SANPO as to whether or not there will be a race season for 2020. SANPO are awaiting a directive from Government on this issue and has asked all pigeon fanciers not to go on the road to train their pigeons, as this is contrary to current lockdown regulations.

Regards
Reg Zammit

Durban North Squeaker Sale - Sunday 3 November 2019

14 October 2018

To all Combine Members,

Hi All,

Please note the DBN North Racing Pigeon Club’s 2019 squeaker sale is on Sunday 3 November 2019 at the DBN North club house.
All KZN Combine members are welcome.
Please download the flyer and rules below for your info.

Durban North Squeaker Sale 2019 - Flyer / Rules

Regards,
Ivan Notley

Durban North Squeaker Sale - Sunday 4 November 2018

22 October 2018

To all Combine Members,

The DNRPC annual sale is taking place on Sunday 4th November 2018 at our club house in Durban North.
Penning is from 11h00 and the sale starts at 12h30.
Please join us for a great day out with friends and family, lots of prizes, banter, free food and drinks, as well as activities for the kids.
Please download sale notification and rules below for your perusal.

Durban North Squeaker Sale 2018 - Notice / Rules

Regards
Ivan Notley

Durban North Sale - 5 November 2017

4 October 2017

To all Combine Members,

Please find below the rules for the 2017 DNRPC Sale available to download.

You are all invited to attend the 2017 DNRPC Sale which takes place on Sunday 5th November at the Durban North Racing Pigeon Club at the Club House.

Meals & refreshments will be served. I look forward to seeing you at the Sale

Durban North Sale 2017 - Notice / Rules

Regards
Ivan Notley

Durban North Sale - 2nd Leg Results Marble Hall

26 September 2017

To all participants in the Durban North Sale,

Below find the provisional results for the second leg of the Durban North Sale (Race 33, Marble Hall).

Durban North Sale - 2nd Leg Results (Race 33 Marble Hall)

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Durban North Sale - 1st Leg Results Petrusburg

11 September 2017

To all participants in the Durban North Sale,

Below find the provisional results for the first leg of the Durban North Sale (Race 30, Petrusburg).

Durban North Sale - 1st Leg Results (Race 30 Petrusburg)

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Durban North Sale Noms

4 September 2017

To all participants in the Durban North Sale Race,

Below find a link to a document detailing the list of DBN North sale nom’s each member is entitled to.

NOTE: a DBN North sale bird may not carry a nomination to the race and the nominations are not transferable.

1st leg is race 30 PETRUSBURG
2nd leg is race 33 MARBLE HALL

Please click the link below to obtain the list of DBN North Sale Noms.

DBN North Sale Noms

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Races 15 July 2017 postponed by a week

13 July 2017

As per a decision by Reg Zammit and the weather commity:
All races scheduled for 15 July 2017 have been postponed to the following weekend, due to high winds expected inland.
The remainder of the races for the season (as per the race program) are re-scheduled to be flown one week later than on the race program.

Auction of Kitchenbrand lofts birds donated to the Alliance Sale

25 October 2016

Dear Fanciers,

We have received a pair of Stock birds and 20 Racing pigeons from Mark Kitchenbrand to auction at the Alliance Sale and to offer to fanciers nationally. The Alliance Sale Committee has decided to offer these highly prized and sought after birds initially and only to KZN Combine members up until the Alliance Sale which takes place on 13th November 2016 at PRPC Clubhouse in New Germany. If you are looking to improve your blood lines in your stock loft from pigeons with a proven track record of winning over medium and long distances then you cannot miss the opportunity to acquire birds from the renowned Kitchenbrand lofts. This loft has raced in both Germany and RSA and has the honour of winning the National German Averages Championship.

In RSA the Loft races in the strong Alberton club as well as the TRPF and the GRPU where they have been champions on many occasions and their track record in the Sun City Million Dollar race is without peer by a South African loft. The Kitchenbrand Lofts represents an investment of many millions of Rands in developing the highest quality racing and breeding birds and the birds we have on offer possess the bloodlines and genetics of winning strains of racing pigeons.

Perusal of the pedigrees available for download below will show direct relationships with famous birds such as Birdy, Zander, Dr Feelgood, Helmut, Bliksem Cock, Konstantin and the Morty Cock with strains such as Alfons Klaas, Jeff Mortimer, Tom Lock, Hardy Kruger, Vandenabeele, Koopman and Jansen in strong evidence in many of the birds' pedigrees.

The birds have been bought down to Pietermaritzburg and can be viewed by appointment. Dave Gilbert has handled all the birds and his comments on each bird are recorded on the pedigrees. Should you wish to acquire any of these birds you are invited to lodge a bid by email to either Piet Scott/Hilton Campbell or Reg Zammit prior to the Alliance Sale. Your bid will be recorded as a reserve price on the Sale. If your bid is exceeded by someone else prior to the Alliance Sale, you will be informed that the bid is against you and you can either submit a new bid or forego.

We look forward to seeing you at the Alliance Sale on the 13th November. Mark Kitchenbrand will be in attendance at the Alliance Sale and the opportunity is available to discuss the performance and breeding of the birds on auction with this renowned breeder.

Alliance Sale - Pedigrees for Kitchenbrand Lofts Birds

Best regards
Reg Zammit
Alliance Sale Co-Ordinator

Notice: Alliance Sale 2016

13 October 2016

Dear Combine Members,

The Alliance Clubs will be holding their 5th sale on Sunday 13th November 2016 at the new premises of PRPC. Please download below the notice for full details and rules of the sale. Again we offer prize money of R 60,000 including 2 hotspots and a R 10,000 Nomination race prize. This year Kitchenbrand lofts will be donating 20 top quality Race birds that flew as Yearlings this year as well as two pairs of stock birds donated by the renowned Kitchenbrand Lofts. Mark Kitchenbrand will be in attendance at the sale to talk about the heritage and pedigrees of the donated birds. Here is a terrific opportunity for fanciers to acquire much sought after quality racing pigeons and breeding stock.

Please support this worthy cause as the total proceeds of the sale are ploughed back to the participating clubs to assist them in coping with the high transport cost of racing their pigeons. Come and enjoy a day of fun and camaraderie at this year’s Alliance Sale.

Alliance Sale Notice

Regards
Reg Zammit
Alliance Sale Co-Ordinator

Alliance Sale/Nomination 2016 Results and Prize Money

13 September 2016

To all participants in the Alliance Sale Races,

Find below for download the results of the Marble Hall segment of the Alliance Sale race, the total points accrued between the two races as well as the Alliance Nom results.

Congratulations to Dave Gilbert of HHC who won the Grand prize of R 40,000 for 1st place by accumulating 194 points beating joint second place Rocky Robinson and Ivan Mike and Lee Loft both with 190 points. Dave also won R 5000 for the Luckhof leg last week making total winnings of R 45,000.

Congratulations to Perd Coetzer of H&P loft of DRPC for winning the Marble Hall leg of the race with a velocity of 1544.91 mpm and a prize of R 5000.

The Alliance nomination race with a prize of R 10,000 was won by Otto Stapleberg of Duzi/MRPC. Congratulations Otto on a great fly with a velocity of 1520.9539.

The results remain provisional until the 7 day objection period is completed.

Thank you all for supporting a good cause and we hope to see you at the 2016 Alliance Sale

Alliance Sale Results - Marble Hall
Alliance Sale Nomination Results - Marble Hall
Alliance Sale/Nomination 2016 - Total Points Summary

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Combine Sale/Nomination Results - Luckhof

13 September 2016

To all members of the Combine,

Find below available for download the results of the Combine Sale and Combine Nomination for the Luckhof section. Congratulations to all the winners.

Please note that this is a provisional result until the 7 day objection period is completed.

Combine Sale/Nomination Results - Luckhof

Regards
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

Champions Race Results and Prize Money

13 September 2016

To all participants in the Champions race,

Once again thank you for supporting the Champions Race fundraiser. Total revenue was R 36,000. I have rounded up the prize money to be Grand prize of R 15,000 and R 3500 prize money for the winner of the West route and R 3500 for the winner of the North route with the balance to Combine funds. The fundraiser was moderately supported and prize money was well down on last year's 67 participants. Part of the reason was that there were insufficient pigeons available to offer non Combine members a team ( as we did last year) in the race.

Below find the results available for download, with 9 full teams being recorded out of the 36 teams. Congratulations to Sue Frylinck of Frylinck & Family for winning the Grand Prize of R 15,000 with an average velocity of 1297.001 mpm which was 120 mpm faster than the next fastest team of Leigh Lofts T1 which recorded an average of 1179.46 mpm. Frylinck & Family also won the Luckhof section of the race with a velocity of 1298.329 mpm earning R 3500 whilst Ivan/Mike & Jevan Syndicate flying out of Ivan Mike and Lee loft won the Marble Hall section with a velocity of 1643.757 mpm earning R 3500.

Congratulations to all the winners.

There is a 7 day window for objections before prize money is paid out.

Champions Race Results and Prize Money

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Durban North Sale - Luckhof Race Results

13 September 2016

To all participants in the Durban North Sale,

Below find the provisional results for the first leg of the Durban North Sale (Luckhof).

Durban North Sale - Luckhof Race Results

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Durban North Sale: List of Sale Birds and number of nominations

7 September 2016

To all participants in the Durban North Sale,

The document available for download below contains a list of the DBN NORTH sale ring numbers and the number of nominations each flyer has.
Note: The first leg is Race 30 Luckoff and the second leg is Race 33 Pietersburg.
Also note: A DBN North Sale bird may not carry a nomination as well.
Thank you Gary

Durban North Sale - List of Sale Bird Details

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Durban North Sale: Nomination List

22 August 2016

To all participants in the Durban North Sale,

The document available for download below contains a list of the Flyer and number of DBN NORTH SALE NOMINATIONS that each member is entitled to enter, for race 30 Luckhof and race 33 Pietersburg.
Mark race entry sheet “DN” and note: A DBN North Sale bird may not carry a nomination as well.

Durban North Sale - Nomination List

Regards
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Combine Race Programme: Standerton/Winburg Yearling Races

25 July 2016

To all members of clubs in the KZN Combine,

Due to the severe flooding in Durban it was not possible for the Combine Management to meet at its scheduled meeting tonight. A key issue for discussion was the Race programme and whether we move the programme up by one week or we stay with the same programme and lose the Yearling races from Standerton and Winburg. All Affiliate club representatives were consulted by phone and asked for their decision on the race programme. With the exception of one Club all the other clubs voted that the Combine flies the Yearling Standerton/Winburg races on 30th July 2016 and that the race programme continue thereafter with each race being moved up by one week. The proposal to fly Yearlings on 30th July 2016 instead of the Messina/ Groblershoop Open race was accordingly adopted. The last race of the season will be the Pietersberg/Kimberley Yearling races as per the race programme but raced on the 24th September 2016 as opposed to the 17th September. All Sale races and Competitions will be as per the published programme.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

Alliance Sale 2015: Sunday 15th November 2015

21 October 2015

To all members of clubs in the KZN Combine,

The annual Alliance Club sale takes place on Sunday 15th November 2015 at Pinetown Racing Pigeon Club penning starts at 10:00 AM. All members are welcome to participate and place squeakers on the sale. The Sale offers total prize money of R 60,000 with hotspots paying R 5,000 per race and a nomination race with prize money of R 10,000 on a winner takes all basis. There will be food and drinks provided plus raffles and auctioning off of excellent quality stock birds as well as free entries into national one loft race competitions. The proceeds are used to help rural clubs stay in Pigeon Racing by helping to cover their transport costs.

Come and support a good cause and have a lot of fun in the process.
See you at the sale.

Alliance Squeaker Sale - Notice/Details

Alliance Sale - Banking Details

Regards
Reg Zammit
Alliance Sale Co-ordinator

Durban North Racing Pigeon Club - 2015 Squeaker Sale - Sunday 11th October 2015

29 September 2015

To all members of the DBN Fed, Combine and Affiliated Clubs,

Please find available for download here the DBN North Racing Pigeon Club’s 2015 Squeaker Sale Notification.
Our Sale will take place on Sunday 11th October 2015 at Durban North Pigeon Club, with penning from 11h00 and the sale starting at 13h00.
We have secured sponsored hampers, pigeon food and top class pigeons that will make for an exciting days entertainment and fun.
Food and beverages will be served throughout the day at no charge.
We will have a waterslide and jumping castle for the kids so you and your families can all relax and enjoy a day out engaging with friends.
We look forward to your support.

DNRPC Squeaker Sale

Kind Regards, Jevan de Vlieg

Alliance Sale 3rd Leg Results (Lichtenburg)

23 September 2015

To all Alliance Sale flyers,

Congratulations to Lee, Mike, Ivan & GK loft for winning the Grand prize of R40,000 as well as the 3rd leg hotspot which adds another R5,000 to their total winnings. Please find full results available for download below.
Congratulations go to Eric Clifton-Smith of NPS club for winning the nomination prize of R 10,000 with his bird NPS 04042 with a velocity of 1264.0847 mpm.
A 7 day window period exists in the event of any objections being lodged.

Thank you for supporting the Alliance Sale. Certainly it again proved to be a close finish with a number of fanciers in a good position to win it, but only one winner could scoop the money in the end.

We will be holding the next Alliance Sale on Sunday 15th November 2015 and I hope to see you all there once again.

Alliance Sale Results - 3rd Leg

Alliance Sale Results - Grand Winner

Best regards
Reg Zammit
Alliance Sale Race Co-ordinator

Alliance Sale 2nd Leg Results (Marble Hall)

10 September 2015

To all Alliance sale Participants,

On behalf of Reg and the Alliance sale committee I want to congratulate mike/Ivan/Lee on winning the second leg of the Alliance Sale. Obviously the result is open for queries and objections but we try our utmost to provide accurate results. There is a one week window period where objections etc can be lodged.

As you can see there is just about nothing separating the first few positions. good luck to all for the last leg.

Some birds were reported but they are NOT alliance sale birds and therefore are NOT included in the results.

Alliance Sale Results - 2nd Leg

Alliance Sale Results - 2nd Leg Total

Kind regards
Jannie Kruger

Alliance Sale 1st Leg Results (Bothaville)

27 August 2015

To all Alliance sale Participants,

Below please find the results of the 1st leg of the Alliance Sale - available for download. Our apologies for getting the results out only on Thursday, but we are dependent on a computer programme which extracts all Alliance birds from the Combine DB files and this only became available today. We will strive to get the second leg results out by the Tuesday after the race.

The Bothaville hotspot and prize of R 5000 was won by Reg Zammit. Some participants reported birds that were not on the Alliance Master Register and so do not appear on the 1st leg sale results. Please contact me should you have any queries regarding any of the birds reported as I should be able to assist you.

There is still nothing in it after the 1st leg and it is still anyone’s race so good luck to you all for the 2nd leg of the Alliance Sale race.

Alliance Sale Results - 1st Leg

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Champions Race Competition 2015 - Results

27 August 2015

To all participants in the Champion’s race,

The final prize money is distributed as follows:

1. Grand Prize for highest average velocity between the two races = R 26,000
   • The winner is David Hotz with an average velocity of 1240.117 mpm.
2. Winning Nominated Bird Middleburg Race = R 7,500
   • The winner of the Middleburg segment is Tiekie Crouse flying from Lewis Hay’s loft with a velocity of 1271.1657 mpm.
3. Winning nominated bird Bothaville Race = R 7,500
   • The winner of the Bothaville segment is Dave Gilbert flying out of Tiekie Crouse’s loft with a velocity of 1304.5225 mpm.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Once again thank you for supporting the Champions race fundraiser which raised R 28,000 for the Combine Truck fund.

Yours in sport

Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Champions Race Competition 2015 - Update 3

21 August 2015

To all participants in the Champion’s race,

The Master Register available for download below reflects the final registration of owners/lofts and bird details for the Champions race and can no longer be changed. I have checked the race sheets available to me, have confirmed any changes with the owners and I am satisfied that the Master Register is an accurate reflection of the Race entry sheets.

I am pleased to advise that we have 69 paid up entrants which means total revenue of R 69,000 - allocated as follows:

• R 28,000 going to the Combine Truck fund
• Total prize money: R 41,000 - divided as follows:
  • Grand prize for the best average velocity between the two birds in the same team: R 26,000
  • Winner (bird with the highest velocities) Middleburg: R7,500
  • Winner (bird with the highest velocities) Bothaville: R7,500

You are reminded that you need to phone in/sms/email the clocking time of your team or teams, within one hour of your first team bird arriving, to:

• Hilton Campbell on 082 854 7078; or
• Reg Zammit on 082 655 3559

As this is essentially a team race, please wait a while after your first bird arrives before phoning in, as it would be more efficient to report both team birds rather than one at a time.

Once again thank you for supporting what has been a very successful fundraiser for the Combine and to all of you the best of luck with your Champion’s race.

Documents available for download - please click on the document description below to download:

FINAL Champions Race Master Register - MS Excel Format
FINAL Champions Race Master Register - PDF Format for easy printing

Yours in sport

Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Champions Race Competition 2015 - Update 2

19 August 2015

To all participants in the Champion’s race,

I am pleased to advise that 65 nominations have been sold to date and if this remains the situation and everyone pays then total prize money will be R 39,000.

This will be split as follows:

• R 26,000 for the Grand prize for the best average velocity
• R 6,500 for the winner of Middleburg
• R 6,500 for the winner of Bothaville

Nominations are coming in at a steady rate and most people but not all have paid for their teams. Payments are due by basketing night and if someone wants to pay in cash at the club he can give the cash to his club Chairman who should immediately advise me of the transaction. Any changes to nominations must be advised to me by noon on Friday 21st August and we will then finalize the Master register. Please do not forget to phone in your clocking times. This could get a bit confusing with the first leg of the Alliance Sale taking place from Bothaville this weekend.

Once again thank you all for supporting the Combine Fundraiser and I hope you have an enjoyable and exciting Champions race. Good luck on Saturday.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator

Champions Race Competition 2015 - Update 1

31 July 2015

To all Combine Members,

I am pleased to advise that at this time we have registered 43 participants in the Champions race with just on 3 weeks to go before the race. I am still confident that we can achieve at least 60 participants which will then generate really attractive prize money as well as funds for our basket renewal project. Please support the Champions race as the average between the North West and North bird gives most geographic areas a fair chance of winning the grand prize.

You can download from here a copy of the Race Master register so if you would like to participate add your name to the register and send it back to me. You can also download a copy of the race rules and bank details to make your entry deposit - please use the links below.

Don’t forget that I will need your bird nomination details in the week of the race. Please send them to me before the Thursday of the race and not at the very last minute. Syndicates are also welcome and I would encourage every club in the Combine to have a club syndicate to support the Combine as well as having the potential to boost club funds by as much as R30,000.

I am looking forward to an exciting race competition that is there to benefit all members of the Combine.

Documents available for download - please click on the document description below to download:

Champions Race Rules and Bank Details
Champions Race Master Register

Best regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Race week 9 postponed by 1 week

23 July 2015

Racing has been cancelled the weekend of 23-25 July 2015 due to bad weather.
The program will move out 1 week, all subsequent races taking place the one week later.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Better safe than sorry.
Regards
Hilton

Champions Race Competition 2015

14 July 2015

The KZN Combine will run the Race of Champions this year as part of its fundraising programme. Essentially it is an open competition between lofts throughout the Combine where for the cost of R1,000 a loft (or any individual) may nominate 2 birds, one flying the North route and the other the North West route. The two races will be on the same race weekend. There will be a North route winner, a North West route winner and the highest average velocity between the two birds will win the Grand Prize and a trophy for the race of Champions. We are aiming to have sold at least 50 nominations of two birds each thus making a total pool of R50,000 with prize money of R30,000. Hopefully we will sell more than 50 nominations, thus adding to the prize money.

This is a great value competition where a person can win a large monetary prize for a reasonable outlay and where any of the participants in the competition has a good chance of winning. The competition is open to anyone who is willing to outlay R1,000 as long as the birds nominated come from a loft registered in the Combine’s race programme. This means that non-fanciers such as family members or friends and even members of the public can become involved with pigeon racing and have their two nominated birds racing for them on the race weekend. This competition is in keeping with the Combines philosophy of providing exciting racing for our members and at the same time publicizing our sport.

For further details of this competition, please click here to download the full information brochure, including the rules of the competition.

Reg Zammit
Competition Convenor

Change to Basketing on Friday 26th June 2015: Inclement weather forecast

24 June 2015

To all Chairmen of Combine Clubs,

Weather predictions for the Kroonstad race on Saturday are problematical with a high incidence of rain predicted in the Free State early on Saturday morning. The Bethal race predictions are less problematical but still pose some weather issues. Sunday is predicted to be clear. To be fair to all clubs and in the best interest of the birds it has been decided to change the basketing night from Thursday 25th June to Friday 26th June so that we can liberate the birds on Sunday 28th June.

Please ensure that all club members are aware of this change in the Race programme.

Reg Zammit
Chairman: KZN Racing Pigeon Combine

Passing of Henry Robertze

18 June 2015

To all members of the KZN Combine,

It is with great regret and sadness that we record the unexpected passing of Henry Robertze, the owner of Durban pets. Henry passed away at 9.30 pm last night, 17 June 2015, in a Durban hospital. Henry was a great supporter of the pigeon sport and was best known to pigeon fanciers as the auctioneer with the big booming voice and sharp wit at Combine pigeon sales. He will be sorely missed by all of us and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pat and his family.

May he rest in peace.

Reg Zammit
Chairman: KZN Racing Pigeon Combine

Combine Sale Sunday 5th October 2014

25 September 2014

To all Combine members,

The Combine Sale takes place on SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER 2014 at Pinetown Racing Pigeon Club and all Combine members are invited to attend. Below you will find full details of the sale.

Henry Robertze will be the auctioneer with penning starting at 10.00am and the auction starts at 12 noon. All Combine members who flew in the 2014 Combine Race Programme are expected to place one Squeaker on the sale. If you support the Combine sale you will contribute to the future security of the KZN Combine and the future of the sport in KZN.

Combine Sale Rules

Regards
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

Alliance sale - 4th Leg results

22 September 2014

To all participants in the Alliance Sale Races,

Herewith please find the results of the Alliance Sale Race final leg and Grand prize for total points earned. We congratulate Gilbert & Bruin lofts for winning the Grand Prize of R 40,000 with bird HHC 9806, securing 590 points over the 4 legs. This is a true measure of a quality pigeon to win over 2 legs North and 2 legs North West. Well done!

Gilbert & Bruin also won the final hot spot from Marble Hall winning R 5,000 with bird no HHC 09805, with a velocity of 1,470.35 mpm. The nomination results are not shown here but with the voluntary withdrawal from these results of the 1st placed bird flown by Reg Zammit means that Gilbert & Bruin also win the Nomination race prize of R 10,000 with bird HHC 09806, with a velocity of 1,440.997 mpm.

Congratulations to Gilbert & Bruin for their clean sweep in winning all except the 3rd leg hotspot (Won by Hilton Campbell of Tree Tops lofts) and winning total prize money of R 61,000 between the hot spot wins and the two main prizes.

These results remain provisional for a period of 7 days.

Thank you for supporting the Alliance races in 2014 and we look forward to your continued support at the next Alliance Sale which takes place on SUNDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2014. Please put this date in your diary.

Alliance Sale Results for Marble Hall

Alliance Sale Total Points After Marble Hall

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Combine Sale & Nomination Dealesville leg / Yearling Nom Marble Hall & Dealesville

19 Sep 2014

Herewith the results and Prize money for the Combine Sale and Combine Nom Dealesville leg.

We congratulate the following prize winners:

Total Prize money for the North West route: R 44,000

Total revenue raised for Nom races = R 16,400
Split R12,000 for prize money and R 4,400 to the Truck Fund.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

DNRPC Squeaker Sale

11 Sep 2014

To all KZN Combine members,

Please take note of Durban North Squeaker Sale on 12 October 2014. Please download information brochure here.

DNRPC Sqeaker Sale Info

Regards,
Ivan Notley
Velocity Calculator

Alliance Sale Theunissen Results and Points

9 September 2014

Dear Alliance flyers,

Herewith the latest provisional results for the Theunissen leg of the Alliance Sale races. We congratulate Hilton Campbell of “Treetops loft” on a superb win of the third leg. There is a seven day window period for objections before we publish the final results.

Alliance Sale Results for Theunissen

Alliance Sale Total Points After Theunissen

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Passing of Dennis Abbott

31 August 2014

To all KZN Combine members,

It is with great regret and sorrow that we record the passing on Saturday 30th August of Dennis Abbott, the recent Chairman of East Griqwaland Racing Pigeon Club. Dennis died in hospital after a short illness. Dennis was an avid pigeon fancier and a stalwart member of EGRPC. Our thoughts and prayers go to Dennis’s wife June and his family and club mates. He will be sorely missed in our sport.

Yours in sport
Reg Zammit
Chairman: KZNRPC

Alliance Sale Bethal Provisional Results and Points

20 August 2014

Dear Alliance flyers,

Herewith the latest provisional results for the Bethal leg of the Alliance Sale races. Once again we congratulate Dave Gilbert on a superb win from Bethal with a velocity of 1462 mpm. It could have been the first four birds for Dave if Mark Arendse had not spoilt the party. Dave’s superb two legs of the Alliance is reflected in his dominance of the points ladder. For the rest of us don’t despair we still have the last two legs to race and anything can still happen and that is why the Alliance Race format is so exciting and the best race format in the Combine.

There is a seven day window period for objections before we publish the final results

Alliance Sale Results for Bethal

Alliance Sale Total Points After Bethal

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Results of the One Loft Race

24 May 2014

To all race participants, Congratulations to the S Leigh Group for winning the first prize of R 30,000 in the One Loft Race competition with pigeon number NJ 3038. Second prize of R 3,000 went to Reg Zammit with Pigeon HHC 8903 and third prize of R 2,000 went to Linesh Kulasar with pigeon number HHC 8450.

The function was well attended by both pigeon fanciers and non-fancier ticket holders. The weather was excellent, the food and refreshments were great and the facilities were even better than excellent. The birds came on time and to the uninitiated spectator it was a first time opportunity to enjoy the excitement of a pigeon race. As a fundraiser it was very successful. From reports given to me it was a most enjoyable day and many people asked me to repeat the event.

I would like to thank Lee Scribante and his family for making their lovely home available for this event and for the work Lee and Michael put into preparing the 150 pigeons for this race.

Thank you all for making the One Loft Race such a successful event.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

SANPO Race Rules

21 May 2014

Please find here a copy of the latest updated SANPO Race Rules to download:

SANPO Appendix D - Race Rules

One Loft Race Draw

14 May 2014

To all Race Participants,

Please download from the link below the results of the draw for the One loft pigeon race.

KZNRPU_ONE_LOFT_RACE_DRAW.xls

The schedule gives details of the Ticket holder and the bird that was drawn by a random selection computer programme. Sheet 2 on the workbook carries the reserve birds so if your bird is lost in training before the race, it will be replaced from one of the birds on the reserve list.

Thank you for supporting the new and exciting One Loft pigeon race which will take place at the home and loft of Lee Scribante on Saturday 24th May 2014. You are invited to watch the birds come home and enjoy a braai and some refreshments at Lee’s lofts whist enjoying the social occasion.

Don’t forget that the winning pigeon will win his/her ticket holder R 30,000 and the second and third bird will pay R 3000 and R 2000 respectively. Access to the property will be restricted to ticket holders only, one ticket per person. If you have not taken possession of your ticket then please print the attachment of the draw and identify yourself from the schedule of names and you will be given access to the parking area.

Whilst one cannot easily predict the arrival time of the first pigeon we plan to release the birds in Harrismith at 9.00am and given fair weather we can expect the birds to take about two and a half hours to Lee’s loft. However they could come home in two hours or less depending on wind conditions so those of you attending the race should get there about 10.00 am. Lee has one of the finest collections of motor cars/racing cars in South Africa and those of you who are interested in cars can view the collection. Those of you who are keen on Race horses are invited to visit the stables before the pigeon race.

I need to draw up a Guest list of those ticket holders who will be attending the function so please RSVP me if you intend to be at the function on the 24th. I need to know for catering purposes your attendance by the 19th May 2014. I can be contacted by email or on 0826553559.

The function will be held at 101 Hawkstone Road Summerveld (D391 for GPS purposes). Directions:

• From Durban:
  • On the toll road take the Assagay/ Shongweni off ramp after the Marianhill toll head towards the Assagay hotel.
  • At the Hotel/garage turn left into Cliffdale Road.
  • Follow the road back over the N3 freeway for about 2 kms turn left into Hawkstone Road.
  • Look for a sign on the right hand side saying HOUSE OF SOUL and turn in at 101.
  • Taking Fields Hill Road take the Assagay/ Kassier Road turnoff turn left and then turn right into Cliffdale road.
• From Maritzburg:
  • Take the M13 then first turn off to Assagay turn right back over the M13 and turn right into Cliffdale Road.

There are still a number of ticket holders who have not yet made payment for their tickets. It would be appreciated if this could be done as soon as possible and to avoid any embarrassment not be left for the race day.

I look forward to seeing you on the 24th May and good luck for the winning pigeon

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

KZN ONE LOFT RACE FUNDRAISER

5 March 2014

To All Combine Members,

I am pleased to advise a pre-season function that combines both a one loft race and a social function plus the opportunity to win a large cash prize. The KZN Combine will be offering a one loft race on Saturday 24th May 2014 using Lee Scribante's loft in Shongweni. The race will be from Harrismith and Lee will make up to 150 birds available from his loft for this race. Combine members and the general public can buy a pigeon from this loft for this race at a cost of R 500 per bird. A ticket will be issued for each bird purchased for this race. All ticket holders are invited to watch the birds arrive at Lee's loft and enjoy a braai and refreshments as part of their purchase of a ticket.

Prize money will be based on total number of birds sold with a minimum requirement of 120 birds sold. Total prize money will be R 30,000 split as follows:
First bird home : R 25,000
Second bird home: R 3,000
Third bird home: R 2,000
If all 150 birds are sold then total prize money will increase to R 35,000 with the first prize rising to R 30,000.

I can advise that 75 tickets have already been sold before we officially publicized the launch of this one loft race. We anticipate this to be a very popular event so those of you who want to support the Combine in promoting the pigeon sport, want to enjoy a few drinks and socialize with your friends over a braai plus stand a great chance to win a big cash prize as you watch the birds come home need to buy a ticket. It is R 500 well spent.

Please contact me by phone or e mail and I will record your entry in the master register for the race. You can deposit the amount owed for the purchase of the ticket/s into the KZN Racing Pigeon Combine account at:
FNB Kloof branch
Br no 221526
Acc no 62044464577

Regards

Reg Zammit
Race Co-ordinator
Cell no: 082-6553559

Combine Prize giving Function 1 December 2013

To all Combine members

The Combine Prize giving function will take place on Sunday 1st December 2013 at the Shongweni Club CNR of Kassier & Cliffdale Road Assagay. Braai fires and Braai packs will be supplied by the Combine along with pre-braai snacks, salads, rolls and a desert. A cash bar will also be available. The function starts at 12.30 pm for 1.00 pm

Combine members and their wives/partners are invited to attend the prize giving function and enjoy the camaraderie of socializing with Combine members from various clubs making up the Combine as well as applauding the prize winners of this year’s championship. The Combine has only catered for couples attending the function and not families. If you intend to bring your family to the function then you will need to bring their Braai meat to the function as we will be distributing only one braai pack to each member and one to his partner attending the function.

It is important that you confirm your attendance at the function as well as the numbers accompanying you by no later than Monday 25th of November so that we can correctly cater for the event. Please confirm your attendance to either Reg Zammit, Dave Gilbert or Peter Morgan by either phone or e mail.

We look forward to seeing you at the prize giving.

Cell numbers:

Alliance Club Sale

This year the Alliance sale is going to be bigger and better than last year and last year we paid out more prize money than any other sale. On auction we have free entries to Dinogeng Lofts, Carnival City and the SANPO North West National lofts. Gilbert &Bruin have kindly donated a squeaker from their loft to the fancier coming second in any of the four hotspot races. There will be raffles and lucky draws throughout the auction with lunch and drinks tickets included with your bid card so come and support the Alliance Sale and have a fun filled Sunday on the 10th November 2013.

I can also advise that a representative from Dinogeng lofts will be at the Alliance Sale as they are sponsoring 2 free entries into their lofts. Dinogeng advise that they will be in a position to take birds back to Dinogeng that fanciers may wish to enter into their lofts . So if you are planning a Dinogeng entry and have the birds available Barney from Dinogeng can take them back to Dinogeng for you.

Click Here to download brochure for the sale - please note the date is wrong in this brochure

Regards
Reg Zammit

2013 Combine Sale

Sale Date: Sunday 6th October 2013
Venue: PRPC Clubhouse. (Pinetown)

Penning from 10 am and the Auction starts at 12.00 noon
AUCTIONEER IS HENRY ROBERTZE.

Please Click Here to download a copy of the sale rules.

Yearling Nomination Race Competition 2013 - Change of Dates

22 August 2013

To all Club Chairmen and Club Secretaries,

Due to time constraints it has become necessary to change the liberation dates for the new Yearling Nomination Fundraiser races from the 31st August 2013 to the 14th September 2013. The races will now take place from Marble Hall and Dealesville as opposed to the original venues of Middleburg and Theunissen. This should give us sufficient time to organise the races and collect the money for the additional nominations bought by fanciers. A copy of the amended rules with the new race points are included here for your convenience.

Prize money will be determined by the number of nominations sold and it is hoped that every Combine member will buy at least one additional nomination of 2 birds over and above the free nomination of 2 birds each member will receive from the Combine. Additional nominations cost R200 each and members may purchase up to nine additional nominations.

Club Chairmen are reminded that it is critical to the success of the fundraiser that they be actively involved in publicising the nomination races to club members, registering the number of additional nominations each club member would like to purchase and assist where necessary with the collection of cash where members do not pay direct.

Thank you for your assistance and lets have a great fundraiser for the Combine and another exciting race weekend for our members.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Yearling Nomination Race 2013 Rules

Combine Recruitment campaign

To all Members of the Combine,

The KZN Combine is actively recruiting members and has a starter pack to induct new recruits into our sport. To publicize our recruitment campaign your Combine has had a video professionally made to be sent to potential new members. Our target market is anyone who is interested in taking on a dynamic, exciting and demanding sport that gives people in all walks of life the opportunity to race competitively and at the same time enjoy the camaraderie of being a club member.

If you know a person who might have raced before and may be interested in coming back to the sport or someone who is just interested in racing pigeons then send them a copy of this video by referring them to this page and link.

Alternatively you can e-mail them the Youtube link below. You can send this link to a smart phone, tablet, IPad, lap top or any computer that can play a video. Obviously the experience is enhanced if one has sound on your device.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTnTHICehF4

Enjoy the video and do your bit for the sport by sending it on to people you believe may be interested in our sport.

Yours in sport
Reg Zammit
Chairman: KZN Racing Pigeon Combine

The Race of Champions Competition 2013

The KZN Combine will again run the Champion’s Race Competition this year as part of its fundraising programme. Essentially it is an open competition between lofts throughout the Combine where for the cost of R 1000 a loft may nominate 2 birds, one bird flying the North route and the other the North West route.  For more details and the competition rules, please click on the link below.

Race of Champions Competition 2013

Yearling Nomination Race Competition 2013

The Combine is launching its new competition the Yearling Nomination race competition where every flying member of the Combine gets a free nomination into the races and will compete for potentially a large money prize. Details are contained in the rules which can be downloaded from the link below.

Yearling Nomination Race 2013 Rules

Combine AGM - New Constitution/Grievance procedure and Committee.

The inaugural Combine AGM was held on Saturday 18 May 2013.

The Combine constitution and Grievance procedure were approved during the AGM without amendment. Please click here to download the new constitution, as approved.

The Office bearers elected at the AGM are as follows:

• Chairman: Reg Zammit
• Vice Chairman: Dave Gilbert
• Combine Secretary: Peter Morgan
• Combine Treasurer: Louis Van Aswegan

For contact details of these new office bearers, please view the “Contact Us” page on this site.

NOTICE OF INAUGURAL COMBINE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN OF THE ABOVE MEETING TO TAKE PLACE:

• AT THE PINETOWN RACING PIGEON CLUB HOUSE, LAHEE PARK
• ON SATURDAY 18 MAY 2013
• AT 12H00.

Each Affiliate club or Affiliate organization is to elect 2 representatives as Combine Delegates. Where Affiliate clubs have not as yet appointed/elected Combine Delegates, they must do so. Please notify the secretary of the names of these 2 representatives prior to the meeting.

It is important that all Affiliate Clubs and Affiliate Organizations delegates attend this inaugural Combine Annual General Meeting.

Individual members are welcome to attend in their personal capacity, but will not be eligible to vote.

To view the agenda vir the AGM, please click here.

Open Challenge Race 2012

2 September 2012

To all participants in the race,

Thank you for supporting the Open Challenge race 2012. The draw for the Open challenge is shown in the attachment (click here), where you can see the pigeon you have drawn and to which loft it will fly home. This year the race will take place on 15th September from Marble Hall, a distance of about 550 kms from home lofts. We had hoped to sell 700 tickets this year but only achieved 455 sales. This means that in terms of the race rules prize money will be reduced as follows:

• 1st Prize from R30,000 to R 28,000
• 2nd prize from R 10,000 to R 8,000
• 3rd prize from R 7,000 to R 5,000
• 4th prize from R 5,000 to R 3,000 and
• 5th prize from R 2,500 to R 1,000.
• The sixth and seventh prizes have been dropped but the Breeder's prize of R 5,000 has been retained.

This is not a proportional reduction as provided in the rules, but the race committee felt that prize money should be kept as close as possible to the amounts originally published.

The attached schedule is likely to change over the next week as pigeons do get lost or injured during training and racing but a final schedule will be published on Friday 14th September just before the race.

The results of the race will be published as soon after the race as possible, possibly by Tuesday 18th September. Winners will be contacted by phone/e-mail and the winners will also be published on the KZNRPU website.

I will request that all Combine members who sold tickets to 3rd parties to please forward this e mail to their ticket buyers.

I wish you all good luck and a great race on the 15th September.

Yours in sport
Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

Marshall Rossouw - Missing Birds - Tugela Plaza 24 June 2012

28 June 2012

Hi Reg

As per discussion with Marshall hereby find attached list of birds lost from Tugela Plaza on the 24/06/2012.

Please circulate above to your members and if possible, please place on your union web site.

Many thanks.
Marshall & Maureen Rossouw

For list of birds, please click here:

Lost and Found

28 June 2012

Hi

I am Mark Clayton a pigeon fancier from Ladysmith and i belong to the Hauser Park pigeon club. I lost 2 pigeons from Sundays race from Senekal(24/6/2012), the ring details are as follows:
1)WHITE 61866 ZA 2011 COCK.
2)B/CHQ 72026 ZA 2011 COCK.

2 strays have landed at my loft on the 27/6/2012. They are both in good health.
The ring details are as follows:
1) B/BAR WPU 7675 ZA 2010 COCK.
2) B/BAR SCRPC 0345 ZA 2011 COCK.

Thanks
Mark Clayton
Cell: 0836599739

Weekend Weather - 23 & 24 June 2012

21 June 2012

To all clubs

Unfortunately the weather will not be kind to us for pigeon racing on Saturday 23rd June as widespread rain is predicted. Accordingly the Weather committee has recommended that we basket Saturday night for Sunday liberation which is expected to be clear for racing.

This recommendation has been accepted and the Combine/Fed will basket on Saturday 23rd June for both Winburg and Ermelo races with liberation at the programmed times on Sunday 24th June.

The Combine training toss to Harrismith will now take place on Monday 25th June with pick up of birds taking place from usual pick up points on Sunday night when members are ringing off.

Yours in sport
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

Postponement of the Senekal /Amersfoort races on the 9th June 2012

7 June 2012

To all Combine and Fed members,

After consulting with the Combine Weather committee made up of Alf August, Dave Gilbert and Wim Conradie their latest predictions indicate severe and extensive weather conditions extending over the whole weekend and extending into Lesotho and the Free State. This latest forecast has nullified our contingency plan to basket normally and hold the birds in Ladysmith for feeding and watering with a release on Sunday from the race points. Accordingly the risk is far too great to use the contingency plan and the decision has been made not to fly pigeons this weekend of the 9^th June 2012. The Senekal and Amersfoort races will be carried over to next weekend with the whole race programme moving up a week and ending the race programme on the 29^th September and not the 22^nd September as originally programmed. We will continue to have a full 36 race programme and by not sending the trucks this weekend we will not incur costs on what in all probability would be an abortive weekend of racing.

This may not be a popular decision with some members of the Combine and Fed but given the available information on the severity and extent of the bad weather it is the right decision taken in the interests of the pigeons.

Yours in sport
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

Year Book and Combine results on the website

5 June 2012

Gentlemen,

I have had numerous requests from Combine members as to when the Yearbook will be coming out as well as when can we expect to see the Combine results for Volksrust/Kestell races published on the web site.

The Yearbook has been delayed because all the information did not get to the Year book Co-coordinator timeously and it is a herculean task for one person to handle a publication of this size. However the final touches have been made and I am advised that the year book should be back from the printers in about 2 weeks time and will be distributed.  The input from the Fed clubs was sent on time but information from some Combine clubs was very slow in coming forward resulting in the delay we have experienced.

As far as the publication of the results of the first two races are concerned I am advised that first there were incorrect coordinates used for the Volksrust race which needed to be rectified by some clubs and then there appears to be a problem with the velocities of either one or both clubs on the South Coast. No one can tell me the nature of the problem with the velocities and my reaction has been that we should publish a provisional result leave out the clubs experiencing the problem and include them as soon as the problem has been resolved. We should not unnecessarily delay the publication of known and valid results. I have asked the Combine Velocity Calculator to attend to this post haste as it is extremely frustrating for Club/Combine members to go well into the second week after the race and not know even a provisional result for the first two races.  On behalf of the Combine Executive I do apologise to all Combine and Fed members for the delay in posting the Combine race results, we are equally frustrated at this unfortunate delay and look forward to having the results posted within the next couple of days.

Regards
Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION

29 March 2012

The KZN Combine will introduce a new competition this year as part of its fundraising programme. Essentially it is an open competition between lofts throughout the Combine where for the cost of R 1000 a loft may nominate 2 birds, one bird flying the North route and the other the North West route. The two races will be on the same race weekend and the two birds producing the highest average velocity between the two races will win their nominator (The person or syndicate who has paid the R1000 and who has nominated the birds in a particular loft) prize money calculated to be 65% of the total takings with 35% going to the Truck fund. The prize money will be on a winner takes all basis but allowing for 10% of the prize money going to the breeder/loft owner. If the winner is the loft owner/breeder then he will receive 100% of the prize money. We are aiming to have sold 100 nominations of 2 birds each thus making a total pool of R 100,000 with the prize money being 65% of the total.

This is a great value competition where a person can win a large monetary prize for a reasonable outlay and where any of the participants in the competition has a good chance of winning. The competition is open to anyone prepared to outlay R 1000 as long as the birds racing come from a loft registered in the Combine Race programme. This means that non- fanciers such as family members or friends and even members of the public can become involved with pigeon racing and have their two nominated birds racing for them on the race weekend. This competition is in keeping with the Combine's philosophy of providing exciting racing for our members and at the same time publicizing our sport.

The rules of the competition are as follows:

1. Any registered loft in good standing with the Combine will be eligible to participate provided that the loft participating in the competition uses an electronic clock to time its pigeons.
2. There are two races on the same weekend one North and one North West. The race points will be Marble Hall and Kimberley Open Races on 21st July 2012.
3. The average of the velocities between the two races to apply in declaring the winner of the competition.
4. The cost of participation is R 1000 per nomination of two birds and a loft may have any number of nominations racing for the loft in the Champion's race but not exceeding the lofts registered scheme. The cost of 5 nominations for example will be R 5000. Each nomination creates a team of two specific birds and it will be that team's average velocity that will count for the result. A team must fly out of the same loft thus you may not have one bird flying from the North from one loft and the other bird flying from the North West from another loft. No mixing of teams will be allowed.
5. As long as the loft is registered to fly in the Combine then nominated birds can be verified from Paramyxo lists and race sheets as being eligible for the race. This effectively covers all pigeons registered in the Combine.
6. We would aim to provide prize money of the order of R 65,000 on a winner takes all basis with the proviso that the loft owner/breeder is entitled to 10% of the prize money won. The ratio of total revenue to prize money will be 65% prize money and the balance to the Truck fund.  Final prize money will be declared a week before the race and will be determined by the number of teams nominated. The winner will be contacted telephonically and the results will be published on the KZNRPU web site. Prize money will be paid out after verification and the tossing of the winning birds and as long as there are no valid objections received in the 7 day window for objections after the announcement of the winner.
7. A week prior to the designated races the fancier registered for the "Champion's Competition" must nominate his bird nomination or nominations to the designated Combine race secretary. Nomination must provide full bird details such as ring number, colour and sex of the bird. This will be checked against the lofts registered birds for the season and the race sheet submitted for those races. If there is a late change to the nomination for the Champion's race this must be firstly reflected in the Race sheet by designating CH  NOM, secondly shown as a changed nomination by a signature of the fancier and counter signed by the Club Secretary or an appropriate alternative such as the Club Chairman and thirdly is advised to the Race Secretary by phone call followed up by an e mail, fax or SMS before the race is liberated. Failure to do so will result in the Combine disqualifying any changed nomination from the nomination submitted a week before the race. Winners will be checked that the birds are registered to that loft, were properly nominated and will be tossed from the winning loft by designated witnesses.
8. All registration money must be paid before any fancier or nominator can submit his nomination for his team of birds. This effectively means that the moneys must be paid at least 8 days before the basketing night of the Champion's race which this year will be before the 11th July 2012. No one will be permitted to fly on credit.
9. The Competition lends itself to syndication and can also permit non flyers/General public/Clubs to participate by allowing them to pay for a team registered to a specific loft and this nominated team will be recorded and registered to the individual or syndicate/club that has paid the registration fee.
10. The Competition committee will be made up of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary of the KZN Combine and any disputes arising from these rules will be adjudicated by this committee and their decision in any adjudication will be final.  Any objection to the result must be submitted in writing to the Combine Secretary no more than 7 days after the results have been published.
11. In the event that one or other of the races making up the competition cannot take place due to inclement weather or other reasons the competition will be suspended and will be rescheduled for a later date.
12. The Combine reserves the right to cancel the competition if it does not receive sufficient support or for any unforeseen reason. In such an event anyone who has paid in money to the Combine for this competition will receive full money back within 30 days of the decision to cancel the competition.
13. Moneys deposited into the Combine Account for this competition must identify the depositor by referencing the word CHAMPIONS and the name of the fancier or syndicate participating in the competition.
    Deposits of R 1000 per team to be made to:
    KZN Racing Pigeon Combine
    First National Bank
    Branch code: 221626
    Acc no: 62044464577

Reg Zammit
Competition Convenor

Combine Management Appointments 2012

7 March 2012

To all Members of the Combine,

I am pleased to announce that the following members have accepted nomination to the key management posts in the KZN Combine:

Chairman: Reg Zammit
Vice Chairman: Dave Gilbert
Combine Treasurer: Louis van Aswegan
Combine Secretary: Peter Morgan
Velocity Calculator: Ronald Frylinck

These appointments are subject to ratification at the next Combine Management Committee meeting and will be effective from 1st April 2012.
These appointments bring a strong, experienced and committed team to the Combine management and I am in no doubt that it will serve the KZN Combine members extremely well in achieving the Combine's vision and mission for the future.
The Combine transport will continue to operate from Pietermaritzburg and the transport team responsible for the management of the transport will be announced after the next meeting of the Combine management.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the previous Management team for their dedication and hard work over the past two seasons and on behalf of all members of the KZN Combine to wish the new Management team every success for the future.

Yours in sport

Reg Zammit
Combine Chairman

KZN Combine Prize Giving function - 2011

31 Oct 2011

To all Members of the Combine,

This year the annual Combine Prize Giving function will take place on Sunday 13th November 2011 from 12.30 pm at the Shongweni Polo Club, Kassier Road Shongweni. The function will be less formal than in previous years and will be in the form of a Braai. The Combine will provide a braai pack plus salads for each Combine flying member and one braai pack for his/her partner.  A cash bar will be available.

You are cordially invited to attend our year end function and we ask that you contact your Club secretary or Chairman by 8th November to confirm your attendance.  This is important as we will be ordering Braai packs based on confirmed attendance.

We look forward to seeing you on the 13th November at the Shongweni Polo Club.

Best regards
Reg Zammit

Important change to Transport Arrangements

28/8/2010

To all Chairmen of Combine and Fed Clubs,

In order for the Truck drivers to maintain the watering regime we have used for the past many races ( where the trucks stop at Marble Hall and Kimberley for a period of at least 1.5 to 2 hours for watering the birds and then proceeds to race point to arrive by 4.00 pm and more watering) it has become necessary to switch the Fed Truck to the North west and the Combine Truck to the North route. This change will take effect with the Louis Trichardt and Griekwastad races on 4th September 2010 and will remain the arrangement for all races to the end of the season. The Fed truck is much slower than the Combine truck but the road distance is somewhat shorter on the NW route and the terrain much flatter allowing the truck to make up the necessary time to accommodate the watering.

The one serious problem could arise that basket allocators could get North birds into North West baskets which would be a disaster. This must not happen and specific care must be taken by all clubs to ensure that the birds go into their correct baskets.

Best regards

Reg Zammit
Chairman: KZNRPC

COMBINE COSTS FOR 2010

Available Schemes:

CHANGE OF DATES FOR OPEN CHALLENGE 2010

To all participants in the Open Challenge Pigeon Race

The Open Challenge Pigeon Race first leg was scheduled to take place on the 26th June 2010 with Brandfort as the liberation point. The second leg was scheduled to take place on 10th July 2010 with liberation from Petrusburg.  If circumstances dictate the rules of the race allow for the postponement of the race dates.  Due to logistical issues the Open Challenge Race is being re-scheduled with the first leg now moving to the Petrusburg liberation on the 10th July 2010 and the second leg will now take place on the 22nd July 2010 from the Kimberley liberation point. The delay is necessary to give the race convenors sufficient time to do the necessary audit of all the ticket holders, payment receipts and bird entries into the race.

We thank you for your continued support.

Reg Zammit
Race Convenor

BASKETING DATE FOR OPEN CHALLENGE 20 JUNE 2009

PLEASE NOTE: The basketing date for the Open Challenge 600 Race on 20 June 2009 has CHANGED - it is no longer Friday, but rather THURSDAY 18 June 2009.

COMBINE COSTS FOR 2009

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2008

Year 2008 was indeed the worst the combine has experienced in terms of transport. with the truck blowing its engine, that was one problem but then the trailer became non roadworthy. Thanks to the kind assistance of the Armstrong family of Pietermaritzburg who provided us with both transport and drivers we overcame the problem and were able to continue. We had a full season of racing of both routes. We cannot thank you guys enough for what you did for us last year. We also thank Keith Parkinson, Rob Heerman, south coast club and Peter Scott who also helped with transport and trailers etc.

Thanks to the combine committee for their support during the year. I feel that if we had not stuck together as we did the season would have been a disaster. A special thanks to Reg Zammit for his support and also for all the hard work he has put in to improve the combine and to ensure that we go from strength to strength. I ask all clubs to give him your full support with all his fund raising efforts during the new season. It is important that these are successful in order for us to pay off our new transporters as soon as possible. Thereafter we can do our best to reduce the price of racing in the future. Also a big thanks to Bianca Coulonval for the many hours she spends helping in our sport.

Congratulations to the Frylinck Family for once again being the combine champion. Beware this year the big boys are
after you. Sincere thanks to the Williams family for donating the Bill Williams floating trophy which will be flown for as an inter club trophy. We wish everyone the very best for the 2009 season.

Lindsay Millard
Combine Chairman