Alexandra Rugby Club receives much-needed support
ALEXANDRA – The financially-strapped Alexandra Rugby Club hosted a high level visitor from the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation paid a courtesy call to the Alexandra Rugby Club to check on the progress being made in rugby development in the township and to also give moral support.
The department’s promotional sports officer, Boyce Joko, met with club president, Ellias Mpengu, and noted that one of the main challenges hampering the development of rugby in the township was the lack of rugby facilities for use by members of the community.
Mpengu said the lack of playing facilities at the venue also negatively affects the club as some of the players leave to join other teams and clubs in neighbouring suburbs which boast better facilities.
“As the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, we are trying our best to support the team,” Joko said, adding that some of their support came through the rugby unions such as the Golden Lions, who often assist the club with transport, kit, coaching clinics and equipment.”
Mpengu, who has stood by the club since its formation in 2005, thanked the department for its support. “It is really difficult to run a team with no sponsors at all,” he lamented.
“We do not have a reliable budget to plan our events and games accordingly, and it’s even more difficult to invite other teams or host our own home games as we don’t have a rugby ground. I am really grateful for the support we are receiving from the department,” Mpengu said.
The Alexandra Rugby Club played the first game of the President League on 16 April against Eldorado Park Rugby Club. The Alexandra Rugby Club’s first team won with a score of 24–0; and the second team also won with a final score of 26–7.
Details: Ellias Mpengu 063 168 6392.
