Township rugby team sets sights on first division

FROM staying in the fifth division for almost 10 years in the KZN Rugby Union and not being taken seriously in the township for playing an ‘unusual’ sport, the Clermont Rugby Committee has come a long way to be in the good form they are in now.

The team was started 14 years ago by Mbulelwa Magidela in KwaDabeka who grew up with a love for the sport.

He played for the Pinetown Rugby Club and had to walk from KwaDabeka to Pinetown to train.

He then decided that he should start a team in the township as the walk was too much for him.

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Coach Nduduzo Mchunu said a sport coordinator from KwaDabeka, Duncan Ngidi, went to the rugby union to register the team but they were put under the Wentworth team as it was their first year playing.

“After a year, we saw that we can stand on our own as a team and requested to be removed from the Wentworth team. At first, it was more of a social thing, as we did not train regularly for our games and players would be called on the day of a match, hence losing most of our games,” said Mchunu.

For years, Mchunu said they have really struggled but things started looking up in the past five years.

“We now have five teams, U13, U15, U19 an open team and a girls team and we are playing in the third division.”

He said the first year they formed the U19 team, they made it to the finals, but lost against Newlands in Peter Booysen Cup.

“From there, we have played in tournaments and leagues, winning some of them.”

Following that victory, we went to look for talent in the schools and hosted a tournament for high schools in KwaDabeka and Clermont and selected players who had potential.

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Among the committee’s goals was to expose children to other opportunities and they have had five players who have been awarded scholarships the past few years. Ntokozo Vidima got a scholarship to Glenwood Boys’ High School and now plays for the Cheetahs and studies at Free State University.

His brother, Mpumelelo Vidima, also got a scholarship at Glenwood High School.

Mondli Ngubane, Ndumiso Mhlanzi and Bright Lembede received Kloof High School scholarships.

“Last year, two boys were selected to play in the Craven Week U13A tournament and three girls were selected for the U18A team. We also had five players chosen for the SALGA games,” said Mchunu.

They are calling for other people who are interested in the sport to join them as they are aiming to play in the first division.

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“If we do make it, we will definitely need more players.”

Mchunu added they are also appealing for sponsorships of rugby boots and transportation as they play their games out of Clermont.

“Last year, we were very fortunate to receive a rugby kit and T-shirts from Smiths Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd and we wish to convey our utmost gratitude to them,” he said.

Anyone who wishes to join or sponsor the Clermont Rugby Committee can contact the coach, Nduduzo Mchunu on 074 2429 236 or chairman, Lungelo Shelembe, on 074 305 6546 or vice chairman, Sandile Sithole.

The committee trains at Clermont Stadium from Monday to Friday from 5pm to 6.30pm.

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