Edenvale Panthers aim to make 2025 memorable

The Edenvale Panthers Rugby Club management is confident that 2025 will be a year to remember.

Club chairperson Ernie Enslin said practice started early in January, and the club is preparing for the year ahead.

The club has teams in the junior and senior divisions, so Enslin welcomed rugby enthusiasts to contact them.

“This year, we expect a lot of rugby and hope to do our best in all the games we play.

“At the moment, we feel great. There has been a good turnout of players, morale is great, and the players are inspired,” said Enslin.

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The club starts its year in March with several friendlies before competing in the Presidents Cup in April. The league games will start in May.

Last year, the Panthers were the runners-up in their league after making the finals, where they faced the Delmas Phoenix and lost 17-11.

Enslin said the players know they must train hard with the amount of rugby already scheduled.

“This year, we are starting our three-year goal of working to move up in the leagues and become a first-league team.”

Enslin said the club introduced a rigorous fitness programme to accomplish this.

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“As a club, we need to ensure our fitness level and game readiness is on the same level as first league players.”

He said each player’s fitness progress gets recorded to highlight improvements and areas needing attention.

Besides improving fitness, Enslin said there would also be more emphasis on skills development this year because players performing and competing well was essential.

“This year, we’re not just working on winning our league; we’re laying the foundation for strong teams.”

However, to make the club’s goals a reality, he appealed to sponsors to help where they could, saying they needed training and match balls, pole protectors and diving and defence bags.

“As a community club, we rely on the generosity of sponsors and donors. If sponsors or community members would like to assist or get involved, they are welcome to join us and help where they can.”

Enslin stressed that the club was not involved in developing the sport or maintaining the sports grounds for its benefit.

“We are part of the sporting community and look forward to working with other sporting codes and those with the community’s best interests at heart.”

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The Edenvale Panthers Rugby Club trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18:30. Call coach Willie (seniors) on 074 415 0077 or coach Thys on 083 388 8908 for more information.

To be part of the club or help with sponsorship, call Enslin on 072 543 6060.