Harry hoping to steer Valke in winning direction

This comes after the now previous president Vivian Lottering left the union for a position as a South African Rugby Union (Saru) executive member.

This means that the provincial hot seat is now up for grabs.

On the night of Monday, March 13 a new ceremonial head of the Valke will be elected during the union’s annual general meeting at Barnard Stadium in Kempton Park.

Nieuwenhuis, a respected and even revered local rugby administrator, is pitted against another esteemed administrator in the province in the shape of Jan Wigand, the current deputy president of the Union and acting president.

Wigand, a stalwart from the Valke’s southern region (which includes the old Vaal Triangle clubs of Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark and Meyerton), will be banking on strong support from that area while Nieuwenhuis will be relying on support from the eastern senior clubs.

Valke CEO Jurie Coetzee said that the election campaign, which will determine who will be the union’s number one representative within Saru, is well underway.

“It might not have the same intensity as Donald Trump’s campaign, but sparks are flying,” he said at a media breakfast at the union’s Kempton Park headquarters on Thursday, February 23.

“The president will be selected by and represent those who maintain and support club rugby.”

Speaking to the Herald Nieuwenhuis said: “To be honest the Valke Rugby Union’s presidency was never on my agenda after I decided to finally retire from club rugby at the end of this year after 40 years of involvement with our club.

“I did not even consider running for this position; however, after several meetings at the Chairmen’s Forum in the last few months I was approached by the senior clubs to consider running for the presidency.

“I am extremely thankful indeed to be nominated, especially by Springs Rugby Club and several of the other senior East Rand clubs.

Asked what he will bring to the position and what he hopes to achieve in the role he replied: “The Valke Rugby Union already has its structures in place and we don’t have to reinvent the wheel as we have strong clubs and schools in the region.

“Historically this union has played in the Currie Cup final, has won the Vodacom Cup and hosted several international games in the past, including two Test matches.

“This means that it is time for our flagship team to come to the party again.

“We need to reposition the Valke in the higher echelons of South African rugby.

“There is only one way to do that – by winning – and that will be the main focus.

“The Valke Rugby Union is one of only two unions nationally that are financially sound and, with all the other structures in place, it is time for our top side to make us proud and take the Valke brand forward.” In order to obtain the presidency Nieuwenhuis needs 12 of the union’s 17 club representatives to vote in his favour.

When asked about the support he has received out of Bosman Stadium he said: “Brakpan Rugby Club has been part of my life for an extremely long time now and that will never change.

“I must admit I have all the support that I need from everyone at the club and if successful we will have to appoint a new chairman to take the club forward.

“It will be great to have someone with new and fresh ideas that can take care of the club and keep Brakpan in its position as one of the best clubs in South Africa.”

Regarding his election rival Wigand, Nieuwenhuis said: “The other nominee and current acting president Jan Wigand has been a terrific rugby administrator for many years.

“We have an excellent relationship and both want the best for the Valke Rugby Union.

“We recently had an open discussion and agreed that the best man for the role will win.

“That can only be a positive thing going forward.

“Either way, we will both add value where we can so that we can again see a Valke side competing with the best in South Africa.”

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