Rugby Academies are all about the love of the game, and the love for treasuring the remarkable sport through the development of aspiring players throughout South Africa.
Allen Glen High School congratulated their former learners, Tinashe Gowere and David Omoluwa who recently arrived in Cape Town for their first practice as part of the Western Province Rugby Academy (WPRA).
The two rugby sensations are 21 years old, and both played in the Lions Presidential side and the popular Apcan invitational side in 2018 that is staged annually in Roodepoort.
Tinashe who hails from Lanseria and plays at scrumhalf revealed to the Northsider that he was inspired by the fact that someone could be your enemy on the field, but at the end of the game you could gain a friend that inspires and pushes you because you both have the same goals.
“If you have a goal, stick to it and don’t let anyone bring you down. Use that negative energy as motivation and never compare yourself to others. If it’s not your time it’s not your time, so just keep working.
“All you need to do is work and never forget that nothing comes on a silver platter,” said Tinashe.
David who plays at eighth man is a Radiokop resident. He has been playing rugby for more than 11 years now and admitted that each year there’s always something new to learn.
“I would say that the game is evolving day by day with new things to learn, which makes me even more eager to get better and learn more; but also I’m doing this for my father, Franklin Omoluwa who’s always been in my corner and kept me motivated when I felt low, “ said David.
According to one of the rugby coaches at Allen Glen High School, Bradley Theunissen, the two players were part of the schools’ undefeated under 14, 15 and 16 teams, under 16 being their best year as they had won the Virseker Beker.
“Both players have played provincial rugby and excelled in it. We know for sure that they are going to do well in Cape Town as they have a lot of potential.
“They are hard workers and even before they left for Cape Town they visited the school almost every second day to train and follow their preseason conditioning programme,” said Bradley.
When asked to reflect on the current situation in Cape Town, Tinashe and David indicated that things were really good because everyone wanted to make it.
“The competition is really tough, which means I have to step up as a player. I have never been the one to turn away from a challenge so I am really happy here because it pushes me in every way – mentally and physically,” said Tinashe.
“Things at the academy are going well; we’re just adjusting to the climate and the people this side. We look forward to spending time at the beach and really exploring the beautiful city of Cape Town,” said David.
