Old Bears filled with experience
Introducing the Grizzlies Old Bears, a “Golden Oldies” team born from the rugby passion of the players’ children.
Although not a prerequisite for membership, 90 per cent of the team comprises of fathers whose sons play rugby for the new-look Benoni Northerns Rugby Club’s Grizzlies youth structures.
“We are a bunch of dads who share the same love for rugby as their children,” said captain Jacques Vermaak.
“We got together in January and established this band of brothers.
“The team has grown from 11 players to now close to 30, but the format we play includes uncontested scrums and line-outs with rolling substitutions, ensuring everyone gets to participate.
“We are a social team who play and train hard most of the time with the emphasis always on having fun.”
Testimony to this is the Johannesburg (JHB) Bobbies tournament held in Roodepoort recently where no less than 11 teams participated from all around Gauteng.
Coupled with the rugby tournament was a netball tournament for the players’ partners, wives and other interested women.
Many of these rugby festivals take place in and around Gauteng.
The next three festivals will take place on June 3 in Sasolburg, on June 16 (the Abraham Kriel Day) held at UJ and the Boksburg festival on July 8.
“Later this year, (September 1) we will host our own festival in Benoni,” added the skipper.
For more information on the team contact Vermaak on 082 372 0018.
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