Panthers a force to be reckoned with
“The biggest challenges at the moment for the club are funds and community support,”
Community involvement and club development are important to the Edenvale Panthers Rugby Club.
A group of members from the club sat down with the NEWS on June 12 to discuss the club’s hopes and plan for the future.
The Edenvale Panthers are looking for more support from community members.
“We want to get the community involved and create a family fun day on Saturday afternoons that families can enjoy. We want a family day with braais and jumping castles,” said Ms Wendy Wenbe communications manager for the rugby club.
Mr Vic de Klerk, the chairman and coach of the rugby club, said the club is looking to start their junior Panthers division which will cater for age groups between eight years old and 18.
He said the club won the league last year. Mr De Klerk hopes the club will grow as winners and that people will be attracted to the club.
“We want to get more players,” said Mr De Klek.
“Sport is important to the development of the Edenvale community, without it what can the children do?” said Mr Deon Engelbrecht, a committee member of the club.
By having more rugby players and teams, it offers children a choice in role models he said.
“I have noticed that there are fewer children playing rugby nowadays, they’d rather watch it on the couch.” said Mr De Klerk.
“The biggest challenges at the moment for the club are funds and community support,” said Mr Engelbrecht.
Other costs that need to be covered include rugby kit.
“All our invoices are sent directly to the relevant organisations, so the money changes hands less, everything is above board and transparent,” said Ms Wenbe.
The Panthers Rugby Club currently has 13 wins to their name for the Valke season so far. The first team has won all of their matches so far.
Most recently the Panthers first team won against Vanderbijlpark in a match played at the JP Bezuidenhout Park and the Panthers won 36 – 5.
Mr Engelbrect said the community turnout was better than previous games.
“It was an exciting game and we encourage the community to get involved,” said Ms Wenbe.
Captain of the first team, Mr Phil Venter, said friendship and teamwork are important both in and between teams for a healthy rugby club.
Mr De Klerk said the winning of the previous league and the teams current wins are a big positive for the club.
“People want to associate with winners,” he said.
Anyone wanting to join the club can visit the JP Bezuidenhout Park, on Seventeenth Avenue in Edenvale during one of the clubs practises on a Tuesday at 6.45pm.
