Owls coaches determined to bring the club back to its glory days
The Owls are already training for next year's rugby season.
Boksburg Rugby Club boasts six new coaches that are aiming to do well in the upcoming season that kicks off on January 9.
Three coaches joined the senior first team, one joined the senior second team and the other two joined the U21 team.
The new technical coach of the senior first team Henno Coetzee, who is a Hoërskool Kempton Park teacher and has been the coach of the rugby club for the past two years, said he is honoured to be part of the coaching team of the club.
“As a former Kempton Park High School rugby player, I never thought I would one day become the coach of one of the Boksburg Rugby Club’s teams. I have been in the fraternity for a long time, playing, coaching and even coding (post-matching analysis) in Statspro rugby.
“I’m passionate about the sport and I always had the vision to return to the senior rugby set-up, after I have been out of it for the longest time. I’m glad the club has allowed me to realise my dream,” said Coetzee.
“I’m optimistic about the upcoming season because we have a strong coaching team. We want to put much effort into our training sessions so we can have a positive impact on the players. We want to produce an exciting brand of rugby focusing mostly on execution and decision-making.
“I believe that a good coach needs to be passionate, precise, disciplined, observant, and a good decision-maker.
“Coaching is my passion and I hope to see myself involved with the provincial teams in the next five years, either
“coaching or doing analysis. And I hope to be a part of the Owls family for years to come. My long-term goal for the club is for it to become the ‘heavyweight’ and be a force to be reckoned in the East Rand league.”
Coetzee added that he has a long list of coaching role models.
“Names that stand out for me are Chris Venter, Marnus de Vries, David Manual and Oupa van der Merwe.
“There is a good vibe at the club with the new staff and players all working together towards the end goal.”
Reg Muller, the senior first-team coach, said he is happy to join a special club that will be turning 120 years next year.
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“Our first plan is to establish a good environment for the players, families, coaches and staff. I want to enjoy myself as a coach and leave a lasting legacy. Our game plan is a secret. What I can only share is that I and the other coaches want to create a strong team.”
“Second-team forward coach Les Windell said he intends to give back to the sport that he played years back.
Willie Meyer, the U21 backline coach, said he just wants to do his best in coaching the backline of the U21 team. The front-row coach of the U21s, Travis Howell, said he wants to bring back the old winning tradition of the Owls.
“We want to also develop our young players because they are the future of the club. It can only be done with hard work and determination. We need guts for the U21 team to win leagues and make a name for themselves,” said Howell.
Chairperson of the Boksburg Rugby Club, Rinus van der Linden, said he is happy to lead a club that has all the best rugby players and coaches.
“I want to bring change to the club so that it can do well in the modern age of rugby. We will be celebrating our 120 years of existence next year and we need to adopt the modern era of playing rugby if we want to go beyond this milestone.
“Boksburg Rugby Club will remain a community asset and we expect our community to support us all the way. We are currently not getting much support from the council in terms of protecting and maintaining the rugby facility.
“The A and B pitch lighting cables were stolen in 2019 and the issue has not been resolved. I plead with the metro to fix our problem so that we can have a good rugby season next year.
“I will be the first person to go public and thank the metro on all media platforms if it can fix our issue. I know that I’m also speaking on behalf of our fellow sports clubs, which are the Boksburg soccer and cricket clubs.”
Boksburg Rugby Club also urgently needs a sponsor before the league begins. Potential sponsors may contact Rinus van der Linden on 082 331 2143.
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