Local sport enthusiasts were shocked to read the news that Andrè ‘Swannie’ Swanepoel had relinquished and stepped away from his legendary title as long-time Highlanders Rugby Club’s head coach.
However, after being inundated with calls and messages from concerned rugby supporters regarding the future of the rugby club without him, the local legend has decided to clear any misunderstandings pertaining to his current role at the club.
“I have not stepped away from the club; I have simply been promoted to the Highlanders Director of Rugby, where I will still be involved in the coaching of teams and coaches a like,” he said.
During the 2023 Highlanders annual general meeting held on October 7, Alistair van Wyk, Highlanders chairman announced that Swannie would be stepping down as head coach, a title that would now be handed over to Robert Everson Snr.
- His new role explained:
Andrè’s new responsibilities as the Director of Rugby will be to recruit, develop, and manage all players and coaches within the Highlanders Club, as well as to develop, coordinate, and implement new and informative coaching programmes.
“My first step in the right direction in my new role was to appoint the highly experienced Robert as the new head coach. He has been the Springboks under-20 Women’s and the Sharks women’s head coach – so he has all the right tools and experience to lead our players,” he said.
He added that he and Robert would be meeting in the coming weeks to determine new strategies and plans for the upcoming 2024 rugby season.
- Looking back:
Swannie proudly headed the Newcastle Boschpick Highlanders for the past 21 years, taking the club and the players to new levels of club rugby. Under his tenure, several players went out to have outstanding careers at professional level.
“We have had immense growth over the years, and it has been amazing to be at the forefront of it all. It was an honour to watch the sport and the players grow and to see so many of our boys go over to play higher than just club rugby. It has also been an honour to have worked with every player and watched them achieve what we have thus far. I know things are only going to get better from here,” said Swanepoel.
- Going forward:
“We fully believe that appointing Everson as the new head coach will bring new energy to the team with new ideas, strategies, game plans, and patterns of play. The fitness level under his leadership will also be of the highest standard. He shares our vision for the club, but he will be executing this vision in his own unique style of coaching to take the Highlanders to new heights.”
Swannie stressed that Everson’s main focus will be on the Highlanders first team, while he (Swanie) will continue to over-see and develop the remaining players, ensuring that each and every player knows exactly what is expected of them, bringing nothing but the best standard of rugby to the field.
Currently, the players are in off-season, continuing their off-season workout plan, which was given to them by Everson to ensure they are strong and ready as soon as the 2024 rugby pre-season starts in January.
In the meantime, anyone wanting to join the Boschpick Highlanders Rugby Club is welcome to get in contact with Swannie on 083 717 2152. Players must be 18 or older to join practice.
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