Simmer stand together through pandemic
The GCN spoke to the Germiston Simmer Rugby Club on how the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown have affected the club and their members.
After recruiting a record number of players for the 2020 season, Germiston Simmer Rugby Club was ready to tackle its way through the challenges that lay ahead.
The season came to an abrupt halt, not only for the club but also for sport as a whole, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The GCN spoke to Louis Britz, co-chairperson of the club, to find out how the club has been affected by the pandemic and lockdown.
Before heading into lockdown the club’s players, over 120 new and old players, tested their skills at three rugby days.
ALSO READ: Simmer enjoy rugby day wins
“We were performing very well,” said Britz.
“We even managed to beat Brakpan’s first and Springs’ first teams and our other teams were also on a winning road, with our third team celebrating an unbroken winning streak.”
The club was excited for the season that lay ahead.
“We were very excited to compete this season with our new main sponsor Phakisa Holdings, and the exponential growth of players,” said Britz.
This excitement, however, was beaten back by the lockdown.
“Besides not being able to play and practice during lockdown, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a very hard effect on some of our players,” said Britz.
“A number of the players are currently without an income as they are unable to work.
“Some have even had to move back to their home towns, while others have had to ask for extra help.
“As a club, we have done what we can by buying non-perishable food to make up food parcels for the players in need.”
Despite the hardships and uncertainty, the club is able to keep the Simmer team spirit alive through communication.
“We are fortunate to still have communication with all the players and coaches via our WhatsApp groups, and the men post daily and enjoy making jokes,” said Britz.
ALSO READ: Simmer tackle their way into new season
In an ideal world the club’s plans for the year would have seen them moving back into the Pirates Grand Challenge.
“We would have liked to have grown and developed our players, win the season and compete in the promotion games so that we could move back into the Pirates Grand Challenge,” explained Britz.
Britz’s message of hope for sportsmen and rugby players who are missing the sport is to stay fit and stay humble.
“Seeing each other ‘tomorrow’ is more important than never seeing each other again,” he said.
“Love each other and share happiness.”
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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