@ Leisure Development rugby is simply awesome! by Lardus van den Berg, CSS-SA As a rugby player from schoolboy days up to the end of 2015 for the Randfontein Senior Club, I have seen the positive impact the sport can have on one’s life. I think all South Africans have experienced this in some form. We all have a passion for the game and there just isn’t anything like it! It’s in our blood. It’s try time!!! I started out as a primary school coach the keys to success in the sport. Youth club rugby work over weekends. Everyone involved enjoys three years ago and soon moved on to has really gone through transformation over the the support we all give to each other and the the Randfontein Youth Rugby Club which last couple of years and the direct involvement players. focuses on developing players regardless of of the Golden Lions Rugby Union and the skill or experience. BokSmart National Rugby Safety Programme has All clubs have to be self-sufficient in terms of created a professional, healthy and safer playing funding. This has been our most challenging I became chairman of the club’s environment for all players, coaches, referees hurdle over the past few years. At some stage, development programme in 2015 when I and spectators. new jerseys have to be acquired and it is a coached the under-10 team. The club is mammoth task to get jerseys for eleven rugby affiliated to the Golden Lions Rugby Union Our under-13 to under-18 players will have the teams, considering that a single set could easily and competes against 15 other clubs in our opportunity to go to the Lions IPT trials. The Lions cost up to R7000. Age-specific equipment such league. We develop players from under-7 to IPT team is known as the “Rooibokke”. This team as smaller tackle bags for the under-7s and 8s under-18 in the 15-man format. The 2016 is selected from all 16 youth development clubs must be bought for the safety of the younger season will see our first under-18 team since which fall under the Golden Lions Rugby Union in players. the youth club opened in 2009. The 2015 the province. The final 22-player squad is entered season ended with 151 players and the club into the annual IPT tournament. The players get But where there are challenges, there are expects to have 180 players for the 2016 the opportunity to play against other unions like opportunities. This year, we will host another season. the Bulls, Falcons and Sharks. The week-long sevens tournament to help raise funds for tournament will be hosted by the Falcons Rugby equipment and kit. Last year’s tournament was a With so many negative factors influencing Union this year. Of the 22 players who were fun-filled event that saw families come together the youth, rugby can be that one positive selected for the under-18 Rooibokke in 2015, to enjoy the great game we all love. We aim to thing that keeps a young person from eight received bursaries from universities after make this one of the biggest youth development ending up “on the wrong side of the tracks”. being scouted at the tournament. rugby events on the West Rand in the years to The club promotes a healthy lifestyle and come. A portion of our funding comes from creates a platform for skills development. These are truly valuable opportunities created local business sponsors or from the parents The development aspect includes self- through the rugby development programme directly. Some of our players help us to find discipline, perseverance, hard work, and through the hard work of the coaches, club sponsors to assist their teams with the required focusing on a goal, respect for oneself and managers and parents. The club currently has a funding. others, dedication and, ultimately, reward. complement of 26 volunteer coaches and team All these principles are applied both on and managers who give their time free of charge. To me, the greatest reward for being involved off the field. Many of the players also excel Among them are former senior players and in youth development rugby is the never- on the academic front and are often among coaches who add so much to the teams with ending smiles on the faces of the players – that the top 20 or top ten academic students at their experience. They spend many hours away moment when all their hard work, dedication school. These benefits of a contact sport are from their families and have on many occasions and training pays off and they walk off the field often overlooked. worked until the early hours of the morning. as victors, proud of what they have achieved as individuals and as a team. The training sessions and match days We are fortunate to have great parents who are conducted in line with the BokSmart support their children, the game and the youth One day, when I am retired and reflecting National Rugby Safety Programme. The club club. I have really come to know the meaning of back on life, the Randfontein Youth Rugby Club will have provided me with some of the best aims to equip all players with the necessary the word “community” through the youth club. It memories. skills and knowledge on how to play safer never ceases to amaze me how the parents can rugby. The players who reach the top pull together and get all 151 players to the away Contact Lardus van den Berg, CSS-SA, remain injury-free, and this has been one of game venues, even though many parents have to Tel 010 500-9076, [email protected].