AS a father, Mike De Kock has successfully integrated the heart and ideals of a family unit into his coaching at Land Rover Durban Hillcrest Villagers’ Rugby Club.
He has created more than just a team but a brotherhood among its members.
Before he took on the duty of coaching at the local club, he was just an Afrikaans teen settling into Durban with predominately English speaking locals.
During his high school career at Vredenburg High School he played sports but was only bitten by the rugby bug when he was studying coaching at the Sharks’ Academy in 2004.
His first coaching position saw him take on what is arguably the most competitive sides – schoolboy rugby – with U10 and U11 teams with their proud parents sitting on the sidelines.
Now 32 years old and a financial advisor by day, he wears a button up shirt, smart pants and sleek shoes but when night rolls in, he proudly dons his HRVC colours of red navy blue and yellow.
When he accepted the position to train the Villagers’ 1st XV, he opted to take the team back to its roots of running rugby, a style the local club is both known and feared for.
With sponsorship by Get Fit in Hillcrest, the team worked on their conditioning during their off-season and are now intrinsically aware of the game plan Mike has set up for them.
They have worked as a tight-knit unit this season, scoring try after well-deserved try.
“Being out on the field during a game is very difficult to describe to someone who has not felt it for themselves. When you’re running with the ball, adrenaline pumping through your veins your teammates become like your brothers.”
When Mike joined the club there was a new-look team with a lot of fresh faces. He introduced a team leader system which has helped to increase morale and boost the energy of the players.
“I like to call this ‘team gees’ (spirit),” laughed Mike.
Due to the nature of his career, he makes time to train the U13 at Kloof Senior Primary School as well.
For him, though, the most important aspect of his life is his family.
“We practice every Tuesday and Thursday but since it is a family orientated club, my wife, Rayne and son, Kade, come through and watch and play around and the team takes to my son really well. It’s a chance for me to coach but also have some quality family time as well,” said the Hillcrest resident.
Currently a first division club, Mike’s goal is for the team to win each and every match this season with as many bonus points as possible.
“I don’t want our destiny to be in some other club’s hands or leave it all up to chance. We want to win the league and contend with promotional relegation and make it into the premier division and contend against the top teams. This is our medium term plan,” he said.
“Our goal is to not only aim for promotion but to continue to contend and grow the club to compete with the bigger clubs in Durban.”
He thanked Land Rover Durban and Envirosan for their ongoing support of the club.
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