Brakpan Rugby Club set sights on getting back to best
The club has a new head coach and a new board in office.
Major changes are happening at the Brakpan Rugby Club.
The club feels it has not been performing at a high level in recent years and now wants to change that.
One of the most noticeable changes is the coaching staff.
Former Brakpan player Regardt Botha took up the head coach role.
Botha previously coached the University of Pretoria’s Varsity Cup team.
“I’m hoping to help Brakpan restore some pride,” he told the Brakpan Herald.
The coach spoke to the Herald after his first training session with his new team on Tuesday evening.
“It’s like returning to your roots. There is a lot of talent, but it is different. We have working-class boys, so we working with a different type of player. In the last few years, I worked with students and full-time rugby players,” he said.
“I just had my first practice session. There is a lot of interest and the guys are keen to work. It’s a bit of a change, but we will get used to it again.”
Botha aims to make a difference in the lives of his players.
“If I can make a difference in one kid’s life, it would be amazing. You know the players here are guys in the community and the surrounding areas. So if I can give them a taste of being more professional; maybe there is a chance of one of them getting an opportunity somewhere. That would be great,” said Brakpan’s new mentor.
Botha wants to see the club returning to competing with the top teams in the country.
“In club rugby, we would like to play in the Gold or Community Cup. That’s the main goal, getting guys exposure playing in the Gold Cup and different sides in other unions. Gold would be either this year or next year, the goal – to be competitive and get guys more exposure. We also want to create a winning culture,” he said.
“We want to see all the people, the fans, coming back,” he said.
Botha will have last year’s head coach Darlton Botha as his forwards coach, Rudi Dames as the backline coach and Pieter Jansen as the strength and conditioning trainer.
Brakpan also has a new board after Monday’s AGM.
Kiewiet Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen is the new chairperson, as he takes over from Harry Nieuwenhuis, who is the new club treasurer.
Sarel Korf is the vice-chairperson, while Werner Stoltz is the honorary secretary. Franco Booysen is the club captain.
One of the most interesting appointments is Frikkie Bosman, as the marketing person for the club. This stands out as the stadium the club plays from was named after his grandfather.
