Rural rugby programme is ripening
The City Times has been keeping a keen and watchful eye over the progress of the prospering Daveyton Rugby Development Programme, at the Sinaba Stadium.
The evolution and growth of the initiative has been a tremendous success at a time when transformation is the buzzword on the lips of everyone in the South African sporting fraternity.
Following the 2012 partnership, witnessed by the Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, between private school St Dunstan’s College and Daveyton’s Unity Secondary School, a decision was made, at the beginning of this year, to start a project to build the game of rugby from a grass roots level in Daveyton.
An enormous amount of research was done and the foundation formed a few solid partnerships within the community.
The programme has become a capacity-building agency in rugby and the foundation has achieved a great deal of success through a tried-and-tested model and empowers the community by training coaches in the BokSmart programme from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the Rugby Ready Programme from World Rugby (formally known as the IRB).
The foundation then rents a facility where the players can get involved in coaching clinics (with 10 sessions every fortnight).
“The numbers the Daveyton programme achieved within the first 10 sessions gave us a clear indication that the programme will grow organically within itself by 10 players per trained coach,” said Jaco Coetzer, project manager of the now Rural Rugby Development Programme and BokSmart educator.
At the Sinaba Stadium, the programme reached the following numbers on its register in 2015:
- 278 junior players, including 155 pupils from 21 primary schools and 75 learners from 21 high schools.
There were also 48 girls on their books and 32 senior rugby players
“We supported them with basic training equipment, rugby balls and water bottles, just to try to function as a club,” added Coetzer.
- The programme has empowered 23 coaches (mostly teachers in the area), including two female coaches.
For 2016, the programme will remain fixed in Daveyton, with ongoing support through training and the reservation of the Sinaba Stadium for 10 more sessions, while a senior team will play in the Carlton League as a third team.
It will also set up in Alexandra, where the programme will support with capacity-building through existing club and school structures
In Soweto, the initiative will support the University of Johannesburg in their ongoing project within the township, while they are also aiming to adopt and follow the same structures used in Daveyton in Katlehong.
St Dunstan’s College will also invite two developmental sides to take part in their prestigious 2016 St Dunstan’s College Easter Sport Festival, while UJ will continue with hosting coaching clinics and assisting with general support for developing teams.
In 2016, the foundation will also plan towards future involvement in the Tembisa, Etwatwa and Vosloorus communities.
Some basic needs must be met in order to make it happen, including facility booking, transportation, boots for high school players, basic training equipment and kit for participating in matches.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Rural Rugby Development Programme contact Coetzer on 074 189 2349, or email to jaco.coetzer@stdunstans.co.za.
Previous articles:
Crossing the advantage line (a sports story of hope)
Daveyton display dynamic rugby
