Boksburg Rugby Club’s new chairperson, Renier Mostert, is hoping to steer the club to the Valke Peregrine League final in the next season.
Mostert takes the reins from Rinus van Linden, who resigned due to personal and work commitments, and has been involved in rugby from the age of seven.
He was a rugby referee for 18 years and, in this time, refereed over 1 000 official appointed rugby games, from U14 school matches to amateur club matches at the Pumas and Valke Rugby Unions.
He was on the Valke Referees Society Committee for a couple of years before retiring in 2012.
The Boksburg Advertiser knocked on Mostert’s door to find out more about him and his rugby career.
When did you join BRC?
“I joined BRC in 2014 as a medic, assisting with pre-match strapping and being on the side of the field during the first team games. I haven’t missed one single match day in nine years. I joined the BRC committee as vice-chairman at the AGM in 2021 and have been elected chairman this year after Rinus decided to call it a day.”
Share your thoughts on being elected the new chairperson
“It’s going to be a challenge. Life and the landscape of club rugby changed dramatically after the recent pandemic and the aftermath thereof, bringing different challenges which needs to be dealt with on a daily basis.
“If it wasn’t difficult enough, load-shedding is a reality which hampers preparation on a regular basis. Unfortunately the modern day player doesn’t play club rugby for a beer and a handshake like in the old days and expects monetary remuneration, and the club relies solely on sponsorships. In a struggling economy it’s extremely difficult to secure sponsorship. BRC pride ourselves to be a community rugby club and we urge the Boksburg community to support BRC in the 2024 season.”
What would you like to achieve as chairperson?
“To serve BRC to the best of my ability and hopefully steer the ship to a Peregrine League final as this is the only trophy BRC hasn’t won yet. At the end of 2022 we put a three-year plan in place and to build on that each year and achieve the goals we set for ourselves. 2023 wasn’t the greatest season but there are many positives and lessons learned which we will take into the 2024 season. I think I am privileged to be surrounded by a strong, supportive committee and coaching staff that will take the challenges of the 2024 season head-on.
“I would like to call on all rugby players (18 years and older) to join BRC for the preseason training starting on November 14 at 18:30. Become part of a brotherhood and experience some BRC tradition that stood the test of time since 1903.”
How have players and staff members responded to you as their new chairperson?
“So far, it was positive but we will have to wait and see.”
What is it about the game of rugby that drives you?
“The game itself and everything around the game; the friendships made through rugby usually last a life time. I have been involved in rugby on so many levels. My father played club rugby since I can remember so I grew up next to a rugby field. I have played the game, refereed the game and now, for the last while, been an administrator.
“There is nothing specific about rugby that drives me. Rugby is a complete package which you have to embrace, the good and the bad of it.
“I was given many amazing opportunities through rugby. I refereed in England, I refereed numerous school and club finals, but the best is the people you meet and friendships made through rugby.
“My son is playing rugby and it makes me proud to be part of his rugby journey, to see and share the joys rugby has given him so far. This year alone, his rugby took him to some of the most iconic rugby venues in South Africa, which I had the privilege to share with him.”
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