Delarey Swart is a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field.
With the ball in his hand this motivated 18-year-old from Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog is hard to stop in his tracks.
But Delarey, or Della, as he is fondly known nearly did not get the chance to play the sport he so passionately loves.
At the age of two Della broke his neck in a car accident.
Various doctors advised him to stay away from any contact sport.
Throughout Della’s primary school career he was made water boy to make him a part of the team as he wasn’t allowed to play.
He literally grew up next to the rugby field because dad, Hakkies Swart was a professional rugby player and played 159 matches for the Pumas and Della’s biggest dream was to walk in his father’s footsteps.
In high school he was made team manager – Della went to each rugby match even though he wasn’t allowed on the field.
He supported his team with all the passion and love he had for the sport.
In 2016 Della asked his mom a very important question, “Why am I not allowed to play but Schalk Burger had a neck operation and he was?” His mom took him to a neurosurgeon, repeated MRIs was done and the doctor did overseas research on such type of injuries and gave them the good news that Della was found medically fit to start his rugby career.
In 2017 Della got selected for u.16 Afrikaner Volkseie Sport (AVS) Bokkie Week and he got awarded honorary colours for rugby.
During 2018 Della played for the first rugby team, he got awarded player of the year 2018, got awarded honorary colours in rugby again and he was selected for the u.17 Puma team and played in the Rhino week.
This year was Della’s best.
He was made captain for the first rugby team and again selected for the AVS Bokkie Week, this time for the u.19’s.
Della plays club rugby for the Witbank Rugby Club and was nominated and selected to play in the World Youth Rugby Festival in California.
The World Youth Rugby Festival will be from December 26 up until January 7.
For Della to join the tour he needs to raise some funds.
You can help make Della’s dream a reality by clicking on the link https://www.clickndonate.com/banking-details and using ‘Help Della live his dream’ as a reference.
“Rugby is in my blood. I know that one day I too can participate in a world cup series. But for now I have to go to California and with your help I know that my dream can become a reality,” Della said.
