It was smiles all round in Withok Estates on Saturday as Brakpan Rugby Club’s juniors held their team-building day ahead of the 2023 season.
The youngsters were put through their paces.
“It was a successful day. We braaied and the children played in teams. We even had a fundraiser and cut hair. It was fun,” said the junior club chairperson Japie van Nieuwenhuizen.
He is excited to kick off the season this weekend. Brakpan will make the short trip to Benoni where junior teams from the two clubs and Sasolburg will play against each other.
“Every week we are seeing more children coming to practices so that’s exciting,” he said.
“The season looks good. I’m hopeful it will turn out great, plus we’ve got sponsors. There is a positive attitude around the club. The parents are positive. We have a young coaching staff.”
Brakpan will play the host on July 29 at Bosman Stadium. Teams from Kempton Park and Meyerton will take part in a rugby day.
There is also some excitement with a lot of U6 players who will be playing rugby for the first time.
“The U6, U7 and U8 play tag rugby. That’s where you have eight children on a side. They learn the basics of rugby,” said Van Nieuwenhuizen.
With high schools still busy with their rugby season, the U14 to U18 teams will not be involved just yet. Those players will join the club once their school season is concluded.
“There are still a lot of play-offs being finalised. We expect the older children to join us in mid-August,” said the chairperson.
This means they will only be playing two or three matches.
Van Nieuwenhuizen is proud when he talks about how he sees the progression of players moving from the U6 level to the club’s senior teams.
“We have a lot of players in the senior club who came through the ranks,” he said.
Van Nieuwenhuizen said the club is open to taking in new players.
“We know some schools don’t offer rugby, so we welcome those children to the club with open arms,” he told the Herald.
For more information contact Van Nieuwenhuizen on 071 852 1608.
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