Dynamic chance for emerging talent
Graham McKenzie, KZNRU President, said the development programmes are being rolled out to ensure a 'rugby ethos' is encouraged at schools where rugby is a 'non-sport', because of either perception or the lack of facilities.
School boys from ‘peripheral’ schools were given the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase their burgeoning rugby talent at the Mark Godefroy/KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union Talent ID Festival, hosted at Sarel Cilliers High School.Â
Over 500 children from around the province converged on the school, where they were put their paces under the eagle eyes of Chairman of the KZN Rugby Union, Graham McKenzie, other rugby VIPs and scouts from some of KZN’s top schools.Â
Deputy President of the KZNRU, Francois Louis (who heads up rugby development) said the union has development officers stationed in various areas whose duty it is to encourage interest in the sport.Â
“Three age divisions participated: under 12s, under 15s and under 17s. The teams here represent Durban, Southern KZN, Midlands, Zululand, Northern KZN and Alfred Nzo municipality in the Eastern Cape,” said Mr Louis.Â
Those who shine have a chance to be selected for the under 16 national Grant Khomo Rugby Week, which is a mini-Craven Week tournament.
The Mark Godefroy Talent ID Festival is now in its nineteenth year, and has done much to uncover talent that would otherwise be lost to the province. Graham McKenzie, KZNRU President, said the development programmes are being rolled out to ensure a ‘rugby ethos’ is encouraged at schools where rugby is a ‘non-sport’, because of either perception or the lack of facilities.
“A festival like this teaches the boys this ethos, makes them excited about this great sport, and, of course, teaches them discipline and life skills. Any outstanding talent may be snapped up by schools like Glenwood and others – including Sarel Cilliers – who have scouts observing the games.” He also saluted the KZN Rugby Union and sub-union representatives who gave up their free time to volunteer to work at the festival.
FC Bester, Junior Vice President of the KZN Rugby Union, said hosting the Talent ID Festival in Glencoe was a step forward in achieving the dream to establish a Sharks satellite academy in Endumeni.
“The new FET College is nearly completed, and once kids leave school we sometimes lose that rugby talent. Now, with a college here, and perhaps a rugby academy in the future, that talent will be enhanced and the academy will serve as a feeder to the high-performance academy in Durban.” Mr Bester thanked all the sponsors of the weekend – including the Department of Sport and Recreation, Sarel Cilliers High School and many others.
