Union Rugby Club aims to develop local rugby players

Union Rugby Club, formerly a senior team from Turffontein, has relocated to Alberton with their focus on developing youth rugby in the south of Johannesburg.

The club has started their junior and youth development team. They want to get schools around the area involved as they train at St Declans School for Boys.

Union Rugby is a nonprofit company, specifically focused on rugby. They count on player’s registration fees to run the club.

Coach Riaan van Wyk is passionate about developing the young players in his team.

“It’s about the outcome, not the income. Many players go through selections and can get left behind when not selected. We want to give those players a second chance and allow them to develop,” said Riaan.

“We have a few players from the Lions who played in the Craven Week and some who have never played rugby at all. It shows the mixture of players. We want to maintain an all-inclusive development structure,” he continued.

The team is affiliated with the Golden Lions and plays weekly tournaments.

“We play against 16 other teams in the Golden Lions Youth League. The team travels around Johannesburg to play but at this level, it’s all about development, not winning,” Riaan said.

The club is also interested in promoting female rugby and wants to start a team.

For more information on the Union Rugby Club, contact Riaan on 083 750 5041.