Boland seeks future Boks in townships
2006-08-31
THE Boland Rugby Union (BRU) has recently launched an added development project in an effort to identify the vastly untapped source of rugby talent obscured in the crowded streets of local informal settlements.
The project is the brain child of Boland’s Rugby Academy and aims to revive and develop township rugby. The BRU has appointed Fanie Tshoto as development officer in charge of taking rugby to the players in the townships.
Tshoto receives help from assistants in the townships who scout for talent and promote the sport among the mostly soccer-loving communities.
Part of the project is the hosting of courses which include Level 1 coaching courses, mini-rugby courses, referee courses and first aid courses.
The Union has also donated equipment to many of the schools and clubs in the townships to strengthen their efforts in creating interest in rugby. In conjunction with local municipalities the Boland Rugby Academy is also working to upgrade rugby fields in the different townships.
“We hope that schools and clubs who play rugby, but who don’t yet take part in the respective Boland leagues, will do so following these donations,” said Lance Sendin of the Boland Rugby Academy.
Ten schools, among them Desmond Tutu Secondary, Iboniselo Primary and Mbekweni Primary in Mbekweni, received equipment during Saturday’s Absa Cup match between the Fidentia Boland Cavaliers and the Leopards.
Recently equipment was also given to four other township schools as part of the SA Rugby Union's Schools Aid project. Langabuya Primary was among these schools.
“We hope to develop the large amount of rugby talent we believe is present in these areas. There are definitely players who can follow in the footsteps of players like Lindile Skota (Desmond Tutu) who played wing for the Boland u.19, u.21 and Boland Sub Union teams and the prop, Sandile Sijaji, who also made his mark for the Boland Sub Union team,” says Sendin.
Schools and clubs who want to get involved with rugby, can contact Lance Sendin, Denver Pienaar or Alridge Marcuur on 864-1906 or 873-2755.
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